Culture

“Slip into your nicest lightweight summer sleuthing outfit and find that poodlenapper”: Queering 1950s style in Mabel Maney’s lesbian mystery novels, starring Cherry Aimless, Nancy Clue, and the Hardly Boys.

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Abstract

An analysis of Mabel Maney’s 1990s trio of campy, lesbian mystery novels parodying the heroes and heroines of three mid-twentieth century youth fiction series: Nancy Drew, Nurse Cherry Ames, and the Hardy Boys. Transformed into lesbian and gay characters Nancy Clue, Nurse Cherry Aimless, and the Hardly Boys, these young adult characters are impeccably-dressed LGBTQ+ heroes who solved mysteries and fought crime with all the skill, plucky know-how, and youthful enthusiasm of the characters they parodied. With fresh handkerchiefs always at the ready, and well-stocked handbags and rucksacks, Nancy Clue, Cherry Aimless, and the Hardly Boys solved mysteries and foiled villains, while simultaneously subverting and reifying 1950s gender stereotypes.

How to Cite:

Michel, G. M., (2018) ““Slip into your nicest lightweight summer sleuthing outfit and find that poodlenapper”: Queering 1950s style in Mabel Maney’s lesbian mystery novels, starring Cherry Aimless, Nancy Clue, and the Hardly Boys.”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 75(1).