Nettleblack by Nat Reeve

[lunabee34]

I belong to a couple of reading groups hosted by the Victorian Popular Fiction Association; one of them, the Third Sex Reading Group, discussed the neo-Victorian Nettleblack by Nat Reeve this past week, and the author joined our discussion.

This book is fantastic, y'all. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's got lesbians, a gay male couple, a nonbinary character, and characters of color, and it depicts a thriving queer community--all without resorting to anachronisms. The novel doesn't pretend that period-specific homophobia didn't exist, and it is impeccably researched (so many glorious nods to the literature and art of the time, particularly the pre-Raphaelites, which is Reeve's scholarly area of interest), but that's not the focus of the novel.

Nettleblack is fun. It's funny. It's wacky hijinks with lady detectives and a violent ferret. It's not the misery porn of so many neo-Victorian novels; this novel is not burying its gays. It's celebratory.

This is as good a time as any to announce that my oldest kiddo, Emma, is now going by Dylan and using they/them pronouns. This is a new development of this semester (although they have been using a binder since they left for college); they are not trans, and they are not really using any particular label like nonbinary at this time. They have explained it to us that they just feel/want to be more gender neutral. They are fine with us using daughter/sister to describe them.

At a time when it is frightening to be gay or trans or nonbinary, I am ecstatic to have this novel in which my daughter can see themselves celebrated, and I can't wait to show it to them. I may have teared up a bit at Reeve about this who took it in great stride and said that was their aim in writing this novel, a kind of reparative writing a la Felski and Sedgwick. (I will never forget the day when Dobbs was overturned and Dylan looked at me and said, "Well, I guess that's started it. I'll never get married now." I cannot describe how gut-wrenching it is that I cannot tell my child not to be afraid; they have every reason to be afraid. There's much to fear.)

So, go read this book. It's fantastic. Nat Reeve is fantastic. So stoked to have been able to meet them (they are so delightfully bashful and a wonderful Victorian scholar with a focus on Elizabeth Siddal).

Nettleblack by Nat Reeve

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is absolutely fantastic--a thoroughly queer Neo-Victorian novel told in epistolary format (journal entries mostly). Extremely funny, emotionally moving, evocative prose, a satisfyingly twisty plot. This is fun from start to finish. Highly recommend.



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Comments

[misbegotten]

Congratulations to Dylan! Choosing a name is a wonderful thing.

[lunabee34]

It is! <3

They are much happier.

[sallymn]

That does sound like fun!

[lunabee34]

It's a really great book.

[princessofgeeks]

Thank you so much for the update and hurray for Dylan and the book is on my to-read list!

[lunabee34]

Hurray for Dylan indeed!

The book is utterly delightful.

[spikedluv]

That book sounds really good!

Congratulations to Dylan (if that's the correct word). I'm sorry that their life is being made more difficult by so many things (states and laws and icky people), but I'm glad that they are doing what they need to be more themself and that they have you guys for support and love. *hugs*

[lunabee34]

I think congrats is the right word! I was always so worried and sad for them before they went off to college, and it's been wonderful watching them blossom as they have found good friends and found themselves.

[troisoiseaux]

Congrats to Dylan! The world is scary as hell, but having supportive parents makes a whole world of difference. <3

[lunabee34]

Awwwwww. We try. We mess up a lot, but we try.

*hugs*

[gloss]

That book sounds *so* good, I can't wait to track it down for myself.

Also: Go, Dylan! I hate how terrible and frightening the world is, but kids like them and families like you really do give me some hope.

[lunabee34]

It's so good! And there's hair kink! Glorious, marvelous hair kink!

Awwwww. Dylan is a wonderful kiddo. I'm so happy to watch them blossom and find their people.

[kass]

I applaud your child for being who they are, and I applaud you for being an awesome parent. And this book sounds delightful too.

[lunabee34]

Right back at you! I'm glad I've got good parenting role models here on DW and in RL.

We mess up a lot, but the love is there, and we're always trying to be and do better.

[rydra_wong]

Congrats to Dylan on the new name and pronouns!

[lunabee34]

Thank you thank you! <3

I'm so happy for them.

[kore]

What a lovely review! And CONGRATS to Dylan. As Ursula said, the real magic is in Naming.

[lunabee34]

Awwww. There's always an appropriate Ursula quote. <3

*hugs*

[sheafrotherdon]

I love this recommendation, and the openness and comfort Dylan feels in defining themself exactly as they want to. ♥

[lunabee34]

I'm so glad they trust us. We mess up a lot, but the way I know we're getting it mostly right is that the kids tell us stuff and don't hide stuff from us and and feel okay to be themselves.

*hugs*

[china_shop]

This is such a great and moving review! Hooray for Dylan, and for you for being such an amazing mom! ♥

(ETA: I just requested that our local library get the book. <3)

[lunabee34]

I hope you like the book! I think it's so much fun. <3

I mess up so much as a mom, but I am never afraid to say I'm sorry and try to do better.

Dylan is such a good kiddo.

[corvidology]

You are all very luck to have each other!

[lunabee34]

Amen to that.

*hugs*

I tell myself that all the time.

[author_by_night]

I'm simultaneously glad Dylan is learning about themself (as well as knowing they can be open with you about it) AND very sad the country is this way. It's not right.

That book does sound fantastic.

[lunabee34]

Oh, I feel that first sentence in my bones, so deeply.

*hugs*

The book is so great. I don't know if it would scratch the itch you've been talking about in searching for a new book to read.

[umadoshi]

<3 <3 <3

[lunabee34]

*hugs and hugs*

[nyctanthes]

hugs to all of you. i'm glad dylan has you (and vice versa!)

[lunabee34]

*hugs back*

We are some lucky people to have each other.

[feldman]

Congratulations Dylan!

[lunabee34]

Hurray!

*hugs*

[executrix]

Happy New Name to Dylan! There are plenty of skillful and passionate advocates working on behalf of GNC people--and plenty of GNC and allies to love and be happy with.

[lunabee34]

Thank you thank you!

And I suspect that Dylan is going to become one of them. Or least an advocate of some kind. I sense nonprofit work looming in their future.

[executrix]

BTW it might not be obvious at first but a lot of organizations working on reproductive justice are also working for justice for trans, nonbinary, and all sorts of GNC people.

[lunabee34]

Nods nods

[timespirt]

Congratulations to Dylan hon.

"HUGS"

[lunabee34]

*hugs*

Thank you! <3

[lokifan]

Congrats to Dylan! And it's great that the book helped you at such a scary time.

[lunabee34]

It really did. It's such a great read and such a wonderful celebratory place to live for awhile.

*hugs*

[sabethea]

Congratulations to Dylan for their decision, and to you for being a safe space for them. And hurrah for books which celebrate all sorts of folk.

[lunabee34]

*hugs*

Thank you, my friend.

I'm glad we can be safe havens for our wonderful kiddos to be whoever they want to be.