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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Home » Across the Page: Coming of Age and Coming Out

Across the Page: Coming of Age and Coming Out

Heather Aimee O'Neillby
Heather Aimee O...
, Contributing Writer
May 21, 2009

Dare, Truth or Promise by Paula Boock (Graphia)

Paula Boock’s Dare, Truth or Promise features two teenager girls, Willa and Louie, from a small town in New Zealand, who fall in love despite numerous challenges and interferences.

When Louie first meets Willa she has no idea that this beautiful redheaded girl is going to change everything she knows about family, friendship, love and life.

Willa, in contrast, is a bit more jaded. She lives above a bar with her hippie mother and recently switched schools after the administration discovered that her relationship with another girl, Cathy, was more than just platonic.

While Louie is trusted and admired by her parents and teachers alike, Willa is still reeling from her breakup with Cathy and soon odd letters begin to show up around her house.  The notes are intimidating and often contradictory — from “I love you” to “Die, bitch.”

The novel is told in multiple points of view, which offers the reader an inside look into both character’s perspectives.  As their friendship emerges into something more complex and intimate than either had expected, Willa slowly begins to trust again and Louie struggles with keeping the relationship a secret.

Louie’s family meets Willa as her “friend” and while they eat dinner everyone takes turns asking her questions to help get to know her better. The questions are playful and harmless, but Willa can see that Louie’s mother understands that there is something different about her daughter’s relationship with this new girl. 

When it’s Louie’s mother’s turn to ask a question, she wants Willa to describe her Ideal Man. “I think people just happen,” Willa cleverly responds, “Love just happens.  And then everything is changed, forever.

Her answer does little to relieve Louie’s mother’s suspicion and when she later discovers the girls in an intimate moment, she forces them to breakup. Louie is devastated and confused. The breakup feels like déjà vu for Willa: “Sicko Willa, corrupting poor straight Louie.  That’s what her family would tell her, that’s what Louie would believe, and maybe, maybe that was the truth?”

During Willa and Louie’s separation, Cathy re-emerges from the past and while all of the characters learn a lesson about the consequences of denying your identity, Willa finally gets some surprising answers about the writer of the notes she’s been receiving over the last few months.

But ultimately it takes an event more personal and dramatic to put Louie and Willa’s relationship into perspective.

p>Dare, Truth or Promise is a beautifully written story about growing up, falling in love, and that tricky journey of teaching your parents a lessonor two.

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pancreas's picture

I spent some time over the

Submitted by
pancreas (314 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 2:49am.
I spent some time over the last couple of days going back through all the Across the Page posts and increasing my reading list. Thanks for continuing this column and introducing us to so many great titles.
Bett Norris's picture

A great idea!

Submitted by
Bett Norris (69 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 4:33am.

That's a good idea, to compile a list. Every time I read this column, I hear about books I haven't read.

www.bettnorris.com

www.bywaterbooks.com

Zillah's picture

Julie Burchill

Submitted by
Zillah (62 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 3:54am.

Isn't she notoriously transphobic?  Or is this a different Julie Burchill?

edit: nope, it's her, and here's the offending article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2001/jan/20/weekend.julieburchill

Radon's picture

That article...

Submitted by
Radon (48 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 4:39am.
Wow, that article is ridiculous.  She was way out of line.  Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention!
scorpio54's picture

Transphobia & The Guardian

Submitted by
scorpio54 (158 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 6:39am.
Alas, while usually a liberal newspaper the Guardian has form when it comes to publishing transphobic stuff by female writers. There was outrage in the trans community last year when UK gay rights group Stonewall nominated one of these, Julie Bindel, for their journalist of the year award. If you go to her wikipedia page and read the section on transgenderism you will begin to appreciate why.
Clara's picture

Eugh, that article is not

Submitted by
Clara (878 posts)
on May 25, 2009 - 7:29pm.

Eugh, that article is not very nice! I've never liked anything about her, Sugar Rush the show might be good but her book is not very well written

________________________________

My AfterEllen/Bridget Video Game

"there's always time for a burrow..."

"We're getting fired, fired, fired, fi..

 

Shakaboom's picture

Zillah

Submitted by
Shakaboom (33 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 4:14am.

Zillah, that article is kind of rude. Do you know why they wrote it?

Zillah's picture

I'm guessing...

Submitted by
Zillah (62 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 4:46am.

...it's just her opinion.  In the same way that people who denigrate lesbians are just giving their 'opinion'.

I remember an uproar about her on a forum I used to visit, around the time the article came out- I didn't pay close attention at the time (I'd never heard of her before) but the name stuck in my head and when I saw this review, I wondered if it was the same person, which Google confirmed.

I'm pretty surprised AfterEllen.com is publicising a book by someone who has espoused such strong anti-transgender views.

Sarah Warn's picture

Oversight

Submitted by
Sarah Warn (4180 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 5:41am.

I didn't realize Burchill was transphobic like this — thanks to all of you for bringing this to my attention! (I'm guessing Heather wasn't aware, either.)

People should obviously be allowed to express a diversity of opinions on topics like feminism, racism, trans issues, etc., but Zillah is correct in assuming that we wouldn't knowingly promote work on AfterEllen.com made by someone who talks about trans people in such an offensive way — at least not without addressing the author's remarks. Since it's too late to do that now, I've just removed the review of that book.

Natazzz's picture

Dare, Truth or Promise

Submitted by
Natazzz (1113 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 4:38am.

Dare, Truth or Promise has been on my to read list for a while now.

I will get around to it eventually, because it does sound great, I just had my fill of coming out books for a while...

 

---------------------------------------

Who doesn't have a blog these days?

eurOut for the latest recaps of your favourite European lesbian storylines
monica_ca's picture

It really is great

Submitted by
monica_ca (685 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 8:18am.
It really is a fantastic book, and so unbelievably funny.  I feel like the author really captures what it's like to be a teenager.  
LCTRgirl's picture

I loved "Dare Truth or

Submitted by
LCTRgirl (170 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 6:42am.
I loved "Dare Truth or Promise"! It was one of the first LGBT books that I read when I was about 16 or 17.  I didn't like the book "Sugar Rush" that much anyway. And isn't Burchill the author who slept with a woman once and decided to profit from writing about it? Or something along those lines anyway....  And I can't believe that Guardian article.  I know people have freedom of speech but surely that's going a bit far.
Heather Aimee O'Neill's picture

Burchill

Submitted by
Heather Aimee O..., Contributing Writer (14 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 8:29am.

Readers: 

Sarah is absolutely right!  I did not know about Burchill's article in the Guardian. As for the book, though, I do think it's important to point out the difference between the art and the artist.  There are many writers and authors--from Ezra Pound to, I now realize, Burchill--whose views I don't agree with, but I do not feel that immediately renders their work worthy of censorship or even mean that I can't see value in their art. AfterEllen has written about the television series Sugar Rush, which was based on the novel. All that said, had I known about Burchill's article I would not have reviewed the book or, at the very least, I would have addressed the controversy. I truly, truly apologize if the review or its inclusion here offended anyone. I so value and respect all of your input and would never intentionally represent someone with such offensive views on this important issue.  Thanks again for letting me know. Warmly, Heather  

 

csoki631's picture

On the deletion of the review

Submitted by
csoki631 (27 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 9:11am.

I don't think it's a good policy to simply ignore the existence of transphobic (or homophobic, or racist, or sexist) people and their works. Someone writes a "lesbian-themed" book? AfterEllen should be covering it! It turns out the author hates transgendered people? AfterEllen should be covering that too! It would a lot more beneficial for readers to not only know that the book exists but also about the author. Reviewing a book is not equivalent to "promotion." There has to be a way to critique something without approving it, doesn't there? And if the novel itself does not reflect the author's views (I don't know whether it does; I haven't read it), there should be a way of taking the author to account for her views while also reviewing the book as a portrayal of "lesbian and bisexual women in entertainment and the media," which is the stated purpose of this site.

I hope AfterEllen changes it policy and publishes a review that takes on both the book and the background of the author.

Heather Aimee O'Neill's picture

You raise some really

Submitted by
Heather Aimee O..., Contributing Writer (14 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 9:23am.
You raise some really relevant and smart points.  My regret is more that I didn't include that information about Burchill.  I found the book, like the TV series, to be interesting and engaging. Still, I should have included a note about the author in the review if I had chosen to represent it in the first place.   
Clara's picture

I see your point but since

Submitted by
Clara (878 posts)
on May 25, 2009 - 7:36pm.

I see your point but since Sarah and the article writer didn't realise she was transphobic in this case it was perhaps best to delete it. Re-writing it might have taken to long or just not been worth it, with other stuff to write about

but yeah, Sugar Rush the book and the TV show has been covered and that content is still up

________________________________

My AfterEllen/Bridget Video Game

"there's always time for a burrow..."

"We're getting fired, fired, fired, fi..

 

music.is.everything.'s picture

dare, truth, or promise

Submitted by
music.is.everything. (157 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 10:40am.

is definitely added to my reading list. going to the book store today, in fact, so hopefully i'll be able to find it!

 

and in our honesty, together we will rise. out of our nightminds and into the light at the end of the fight...

shortypants's picture

Julie Burchill>>

Submitted by
shortypants (501 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 1:03pm.

Wow.

Just, wow. After reading that article I am dumbfounded.

Just...wow.

strict machine's picture

meh

Submitted by
strict machine (4434 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 1:40pm.
as if i didnt already dislike julie burchill
polkadotwings's picture

both sound good

Submitted by
polkadotwings (92 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 1:44pm.
I've been thinking about gettng Dare, Truth, or Promise for a while now and after reading this I think I will. The other one sounds interesting too. Maybe I'll read them both :)
carmelbunny's picture

i cant wait to read it

Submitted by
carmelbunny (31 posts)
on May 21, 2009 - 8:13pm.
i cant wait to read it!!
Melissa Hsu's picture

my invented life sounds like

Submitted by
Melissa Hsu (not verified)
on May 21, 2009 - 9:05pm.

my invented life sounds like it has a very similar starting point to rivkah's steady beat.

not a bad thing.

also, i've been meaning to read dare, truth, or promise for a while now.

will probably pick them both up. 

thanks. 

RavenDenise's picture

About Censorship

Submitted by
RavenDenise (180 posts)
on May 22, 2009 - 2:02am.
Many upon many artists, policians, and scientists were  ( how should I put this nicely) pricks. Despite knowing this we should still value their hard work. Hell, for all I know Sarah Warn could have a deep hatred for Southern women who study electrical engineering, and yet I would still come to her site. Why? Simply put her work is engaging enough for me to keep coming back for more. The same should be said about this author. It's not our right to decide who or what someone can read based upon belief systems. Could you imagine what would happen if Bill O'Riley controlled the content of this site?
Cassie's picture

Dare truth or promise was a

Submitted by
Cassie (98 posts)
on June 23, 2009 - 4:25pm.
Dare truth or promise was a pretty decent book. I liked it, even though throughout most of it I was pissed off at the characters for...well, i  wont spoil it. lol
anj's picture

Dare truth or promise

Submitted by
anj (12 posts)
on August 3, 2009 - 3:48am.

I read this book when i was 15 and sorta forgot about it, only to think of it occasionally and try to google it with no sucess. thank you so much for reminding me of the name, small world, what are the chances!!

its a really excellent book, not exactly jane austin reading but a beautiful story!

 

 

GiselleNagy's picture

Finally...a novel that straights & gays can fall in love with

Submitted by
GiselleNagy (2 posts)
on September 15, 2009 - 12:44am.

I'm so happy there's finally a lesbian novel not about coming out. Finally, something new, refreshing and real, where the characters just happen to be gay. The first gay Godfather or Gone With the Wind; an actual novel.

www.myspace.com/jeriestes

Hilarious YouTube for any reader or writer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbKZvkMPjQw

STILETTOS AND STEEL

by Jeri Estes

 

 

 


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