Lesbian Review: readings of contemporary Spanish narrative

Abstract

Lesbian narrative has experienced an important development in recent years in countries such as the United States; at the same time, gay and lesbian studies have become a paradigmatic, cutting-edge theoretical model of analysis and criticism. In Spain lesbian literary and critical production is still very limited; the general attitude is based on the occultation and secrecy that has affected queer social life and which extends to the academic environment. However, there are certain works which allow for an analytical reading of contemporary lesbian narrative in Spain. The present article explores two novels written in 1995, Efectos secundarios by Luisa Etxenike, and Tu nombre escrito en el agua by Irene Gonzalez Frei.These works are radically different in their sociosexual foundations and reflect certain attitudes and tendencies present in Spanish society. The article places these novels in the literary tradition of lesbian writing and explores the main theoretical contributions to lesbian literary criticism.

Keywords

• lesbianismo
• rechazo social
• narrativa lesbiana