Val McDermid on lesbian fiction

[annie]

I haven't heard this yet, but thought I'd post the link for those who can use the "listen again" facility on the BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/bantobooker/pip/h9k0u/

[Euyling]

Mmm interesting . . .

[annie]

It was very odd - there were 2 programmes. The first was "classic" lesbian fiction - The Well of Loneliness, and some books that emerged from WW2.
The second programme dealt with "pulp" fiction from the 50s and up to modern authors like Jeanette Winterson & Sarah Waters.
But nowhere, at all, were the detective stories that those of us on this BB know & love. Was Ms. McD. being modest? Or does she think that Lindsey Gordon, Kate Martinelli and others were of no consequence in the whole sweep of "lesbian" literature? They are, after all, amateur or professional, detectives who happen to be lesbians, rather than ealing with gender politics; but I was surprised not even to hear that acknowlegement.