This is often described as being the first “lesbian novel” and while you could certainly question whether that’s true (and even what it means for something to be a “lesbian novel”) I think it’s probably true that this is the earliest novel that unambiguously shows same sex attraction between two women in an ordinary real world setting.
Although, to be fair, through a modern eye, you could question whether the story is really about a woman at all. The main character, named Stephen by her father who hoped for a boy, goes through their life wishing that they had been born a boy, and describes themselves as existing in the “no man’s land between the sexes” while dressing in traditionally masculine outfits. Though it is unlikely (though not impossible) to have been intended by the author, it’s very easy to read Stephen as somebody who would identify as trans or non-binary.
Nonetheless, interesting gender angle aside, the story of a gay character growing up in a world that is almost completely ignorant of the existence of gay people is both fascinating and heart-breaking. Stephen is a perpetual outcast, and one who is kind of awkward, but I found myself feeling quite strongly endeared to her, and felt for her even at the times when she made decisions that I didn’t think were so great.
This is one of those novels that spans years, starting when Stephen is just a baby, and continuing on into adulthood. There’s a great sense of scale that helped it feel very real. We later see her living in London, working as a nurse during the First World War, and living in Paris too. Though I wish that the war got a little more focus (that portion seems a bit too short), this is exactly the kind of structure I like for a novel. I always appreciate the opportunity to get a deeper look at the trajectory of a character’s whole life.
From difficult covert romances, to problems with an abusive parent, and a general feeling of isolation and “otherness”, Stephen’s story is often a very sad one. I really appreciate the way that the author tackled these problems – but, I didn’t quite like how it all came to an end. It was a bit melodramatic in a way that it didn’t need to be and I felt like the character deserved (and could have had) a better ending. Nonetheless, my overall impression is a very positive, and I admire this book for telling a very engaging, human story that was ahead of its time.
Rating: 8.5/10
