Edge of Twilight

Plot

‘One of the most candid and challenging novels ever written about today’s women who dare to live in that outcast world of ‘twilight’ love’

—-

‘Val expected men to desire her…sophisticated witty, attractive Val MacGregor was one of Inter-American’s most populas stewardesses. There was about her a provocative awareness of her own sensuality that excited men, and Val fully enjoyed their eager attentions. Never had she given thought to any other kind of love. Then one day lovely, dark-eyed Toni was assigned to be her co-stewardess. From their dirst moment of meeting Val sensed something oddly disturbing obout the girl. Not until later did she realize what it was-and then it was much too late! This book offers a refreshingly realistic treatment of women who are ‘different. ‘ Without the usual tragic and doomed atmosphere, Paula Christian has created a memorable and moving story about a difficult and much abused subject. ‘

Crest Book S495 / Grier, p. 26 (A***)

----
Goodreads review...
This wasn't great pulp. It was remarkable in that it did have a happy ending and it did end with the main character realizing she was a lesbian and going to join her lover. But their relationship was just so juvenile it was kinda difficult to care about. The biggest problem with this book was the lack of characterization. The main character was a repressed closeted lesbian air hostess, who started drinking too much and sleeping with any man that asked her. Really that was her entire personality. I had no idea why she was so attractive to all these men (I could only presume it was because it was the late 50s and she had a reputation for always putting out). But Everyone was flinging themselves at her. It was annoying and silly.

That said there were some nice parts to the story. When she came out to herself and realized all the things she'd done in the past that she hadn't quite realized were gay at the time. But overall I was fairly neutral on this book. The edition I read came with the sequel to this story but I'm not in a huge rush to read it. Unfortunately this is no Ann Bannon.

copyright - 1959