Audiobook - Ruby-Fruit Jungle - Rita Mae Brown
I came to this (audio)book in a round-about way. The lovely folks at goodreads sent me a free giveaway copy of one of the later Mrs. Murphy Mysteries. Now I'm reading mysteries with a cat as a co-author. Such is life.
This is not a cat mystery but something far more interesting. Published in 1973, at the very beginning of Rita's career, this is a masterclass of a coming-of-age book.
Considering this was written in the early 1970's, Rita Mae Brown is shockingly candid and uninhibited about her early sexual exploits, especially lesbian experiences with female friends as a teenager and young adult. Maybe now that wouldn't be so shocking but this book was a pioneer.
Rita Mae Browns autobiographical character Molly is beautifully complex and uncompromising. I guess it is easier to write a fully realized character when that character is you. I loved Molly to read about - she is totally immersive but I'm not sure I would ever want to meet her in person.