"Annie on My Mind" by Nancy Garden
Garden, Nancy. (2007). Annie on My Mind. New York, NY:
Square Fish. ISBN: 978-0-374-4011-8
This
book struck me as very old fashioned. It is set in New York, but the behavior
and language of the characters felt a little turn-of-the-century in a British
way. Since it was written in 1983, the perspective and events were quite
different than some of the other coming-of-age novels I’ve read recently, but
the ridicule the protagonists faced was no different. It moved a little more
slowly than I was expecting it to but, in a way, it mirrored the relationship
between the two protagonists and how it developed slowly as well.
Annie
and Liza don’t know they are gay until they meet and fall in love. They feel
like gay might not be the correct word for what they are, since all they know
is the love they have for each other. Unfortunately for these girls, they are
outed in a time where one’s sexuality is the concern of everybody with ears to
hear about it and it almost costs them their futures. There is a strong sense
of the disapproval the church has for people of the gay community and for their
supporters. Even though this was written 35 years ago, that has not changed.
Though our world is more progressive, it is not always accepting.
Everything
we read about Annie and Liza is told from Liza’s perspective as the reminisces
about the times the two girls had: how they met, where they went, how they
laughed. Even though there are no cell phones, televisions or social media
mentions, this story still rings true. Thank goodness the protagonists did not
let society tear them apart, for long, and managed to stay connected despite
the judgement of peers and adults.
This is
a story of a journey and a friendship that develops into something more for two
young women. Is it that different than a story of the developing relationship
between a young man and woman? No! That is precisely the point of this novel.
It is meant to teach the reader that love is love and it should be given to
whomever you feel deserves it and nobody should have any say in it!
Book
Trailer (Rated G)
A Much
More Accurate Book Trailer (Rated PG?)
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