As much as I enjoyed the plot, and even was able to not get lost through the magical realism, the ending was extremely disappointing, enough so that it effected my overall impression of the book. Loose ends are better than ends tied poorly! I would not recommend this book to anyone, gay or straight. ( )

Running Fiercely Toward a High Thin Sound is a very unique, creative piece of literature. It is told from the point of view of three women. We are first introduced to Jane, a college student who struggles with being a good daughter and a politically active lesbian. She recounts the evening her sister Nadine sets her hair on fire. Rose is the next character we hear from, when she picks up Nadine hitchhiking. Rose falls hopelessly in love with Nadine. However, Nadine is somewhat unreachable, although she gets her voice in the novel too. Nadine suffered at the hands of her mother, whose voice is also heard and we learn she resents not being taught the violin, which Nadine has a natural, amazing talent for, and not being able to become a rabbi. Katz does a wonderful job keeping these voices separate and unique through the complex relationships presented. Some readers complain the plots slows down during a period of magical realism involving past events in Jewish history and Jewish female figures. Others see is as important to the work, presenting Nadine as a living Torah or embodiment of Judiaism fighting injustice and speaking for righteousness. No matter the interpretation, this work should, and has been, recognized for it's contribution to Jewish and GLBT literature. ( )