Countess and Nevada: A Novel

Countess by Suzan Palumbo

I have been waiting for a lesbian sci-fi to bring to you all, and I’ve finally found one!
 Countess by Suzan Palumbo is a short sci-fi novel about love, justice, and rebellion against a repressive empire. With punchy narration painting quick, vivid pictures, the book centers on Virika, a woman devoted to proving herself against the biases of the ruling empire through hard work and undying loyalty.

Unfortunately, bigots won’t care about the true qualities a person has if they don’t respect the identities that person carries. When the time is convenient for a professional rival to rise in the ranks, Virika is framed and found guilty of a crime she didn’t commit. She is taken from her home, her family, her lover, and left in prison to waste.

While imprisoned and on the verge of losing her mind, Virika is helped by a prison guard who tells her how to find freedom not just for herself, but for everyone under the oppressive thumb of the empire. The guard shares a secret which will liberate their people, then helps Virika escape. Over time, Virika acquires the means and the cunning to build a party that will take a stand against the exploitation her people have endured since they left the planet Earth.
 “Once you taste freedom, once you recognize the gruel they’ve forced you to submit to for their benefit, you will never swallow it willingly again.”

Something I loved about this book is that while yes, Virika’s homosexuality does have a part to play in the plot, this book is more about bigger ideas than just trying to be in a relationship. This is not a book of a lesbian wooing women across the stars; this is a book about a hero of the people—and that hero is a lesbian. As Virika transforms into her role, her partner Dominique is at her side every step of the way. Though again, the plot is not as much about the love that blooms between them, but the fight for freedom long deserved.

This book left me reflecting on the heroes in our own community—those who have chosen to fight for what they believe in, putting themselves on the line and risking the ease of a quiet personal life. The world is better because of the choices they made. Virika is similar to that, but on an interplanetary level.

Palumbo seems to have a good head for society-building. Without creating convoluted political games, she makes clear the workings of the ruling political body. In addition, she makes it clear what she means when she says freedom. It’s a concrete concept instead of a meaningless platitude, making the actions of the book and goals of the characters all the more tangible.

I prefer to share books with happy endings—our community doesn’t get enough of those, in my opinion. Truth to tell, this ending is bittersweet. With that in mind, it is absolutely worth the read.

There are only two copies of Countess available through San Diego Public Libraries, though this is definitely a book I’d encourage you to buy at your local bookstore.

Nevada: A Novel by Imogen Binnie

Sometimes you run into someone who is an absolute mess. Other times, you have the luck to only read about them.
 Meet Maria Griffiths, a trans woman in arrested development.
 “This is kind of about trans stuff but mostly it’s about me being a fucking asshole, is that okay?”

If you enjoyed Hedwig and the Angry Inch, you will love this book.
 Imogen Binnie’s Nevada: A Novel uses Maria’s voice to share a lot of perspective about struggling with life after transition—the difficulty that comes with taking care of yourself after having spent every minute before your transition with no plan to ever do that. We are the habits we build. So if your habits are dissociating, ignoring your feelings, and thinking too much, who do you become?

Binnie’s narrative voice is unique and genuine, though I wish it had more differentiation between the three characters’ perspectives. Of those three main characters, one introduced halfway into the book felt like a redundant rendition of many topics covered in the first half.
 However, I loved that the main character, Maria, existed.
 I love trans characters who are deeply flawed people instead of being role models for cisgender people’s approval. Seeing a trans person authentically suck and fuck up in media honestly was kind of nice.
 But then again, I enjoy Hedwig and the Angry Inch too.

Nevada: A Novel is available at San Diego Public Libraries.