Publisher: Blue Feather Books
To
those who say lesbian novels don’t deal with serious or topical issues, that
they don’t present sophisticated or well developed characters or plots, that
they’re basically erotica disguised as romances, the answer is, sure, some of
them are. The answer is also that, if
you want something different, you’re not reading the right books.
Rebellion in Ulster by Angela
Koenig is a very intense book from a different perspective. Jeri O’Donnell is a Rhodes Scholar from the
US who decides to use her time in Britain to meet her extended family in
Ireland. Unfortunately, Jeri’s cousin Fiona
is a gun runner for the Provisional IRA and uses Jeri’s rental car for her
work. A shoot out with British soldiers
ends with Fiona dead and Jeri in the infamous Armagh Women’s Prison. While there Jeri transforms from an American
who understands very little of “The Troubles” between Britain and Ireland into
a loyal soldier for the IRA.
What
is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter? The answer usually depends on which side of
an issue you stand on. Koenig presents
this story with a slight bias for the Irish, but there is some sympathy for the
British standpoint also. Jeri feels she
owes her life to the Irish cause as a replacement for Fiona and she becomes an
expert at what she does - killing, gun running and bombing. Occasionally however she wonders if she is
doing the right thing. As the book
progresses the reader is able to see her internal struggle with what she
believes and what she questions. Along
the way she meets a host of friends and lovers who shape the person she becomes
and a crisis at the end will force her to make an important evaluation of her
life.
Rebellion in Ulster is about a
lesbian, but not lesbianism. Jeri could
just have easily been straight. That
might turn some readers away from the book, but it shouldn’t because it’s a
very strong story with a complex and interesting central character. There is also a bonus to this book, unlike
anything this reviewer has experienced.
Holding the book provides a sensual experience not usual with a
paperback cover. It almost feels like
suede. Holding that book awakens your fingertips before the words reach your
eyes. It's not only a good story, but will remind you of why you like to
hold a book in your hands.
