There is virtually no validation for the lesbian teenager, and not only is her right to self-respect opposed by adult institutions, but she is also subject to emotional and/or physical abuse from homophobic peers. Scoppettone deals with such problems, including the rape of one of the protagonists, with depth and sensitivity in Happy Endings…. Her book concerns the lesbian relationship (already in progress) between Jaret and Peggy, upper-middle-class high school seniors in a small eastem town.

The central drama involves the rape of Jaret by her brother's friend Mid, who has secretly happened upon the young women's love-making in the woods. He is apparently psychotic, but he also epitomizes the essential misogyny and fear of lesbians within this society….

The rape is jarring, but treated responsibly. The author's intent is not to shock, but to leave the reader with no illusions about the violence inherent in the...