LFW

Editions & Revisions In the novel, Clara (the protagonist’s wife whom he leaves) had been drawn to Kate Chancellor during her college days. Kate is portrayed sympathetically as an intelligent, passionate woman, and there is a suggestion of Clara’s temporary fascination or attraction to her. This relationship or attraction is not extensively developed in the … Read more

Editions & Revisions What makes The Making of Americans particularly significant in terms of lesbian literature is that it doesn’t present lesbian identity as pathological or as a problem to be solved, which was common in literature of that era. Instead, same-sex attractions are presented as part of the complex fabric of human experience and … Read more

Editions & Revisions Surplus (1924) is an early and significant work of lesbian fiction that predates better-known novels like Radclyffe Hall’s “Well of Loneliness.” The novel follows Sally Wraith, a young woman navigating life after serving as an ambulance driver during World War I. When Sally meets Averil, whom she considers her “dream girl,” she … Read more

Editions & Revisions James Huneker’s Painted Veils, published in 1920, was indeed controversial for its time and includes lesbian content that was quite daring for the era. The character who is lesbian-coded is Dora, who is portrayed as Easter’s “mannish” friend and companion. Dora is depicted as having masculine characteristics both physically and in her … Read more

Editions & Revisions Mercedes de Acosta’s “Moods” (published in 1919) is a collection of poetry that contains subtle but notable lesbian themes, though like much literature of its era, these themes are often veiled or expressed through metaphor. The collection reflects de Acosta’s own identity – she was openly lesbian at a time when this … Read more

Editions & Revisions Clemence Dane’s novel Regiment of Women (published in 1917) doesn’t contain explicit lesbian content by modern standards, but it does feature coded representations of lesbian relationships that were quite controversial for its time. Regiment of Women is the debut novel of Winifred Ashton writing as Clemence Dane. The novel centers on a … Read more

Editions & Revisions First published in 1868. This book is a historical and philosophical examination of female friendships throughout history and across different cultures. The book does discuss deep emotional bonds and intense friendships between women, including some historical relationships that modern scholars might interpret through a queer lens. However, it’s important to understand that … Read more

Editions & Revisions While some poems express deep affection and emotional connections, these expressions are consistent with the romantic literary style of the 19th century and the period’s conventions of same-sex friendship. Editions Table Title Year ISBN Cover Poems 1859 — Poems 1906 —