Subject
Lesbians -- Fiction Books
Best books
Lucas Malet
The History of Sir Richard Calmady: A Romance
"The History of Sir Richard Calmady: A Romance" by Lucas Malet is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set against the backdrop of a family lineage and revolves around the experiences of Sir Richard Calmady, exploring themes of love, social relations, and the legacies of family history." "The opening of the story introduces the setting of Brockhurst, a grand estate built by Denzil Calmady, and highlights the beauty of the landscape and the weight of familial legacy. The narrative hints at a family curse affecting the male descendants of Denzil Calmady, suggesting an ominous future for Sir Richard. In a close-up view, we meet Richard and Katherine Calmady amidst a post-wedding celebration, where Katherine reflects on her new life and the urgency of motherhood, setting the stage for deeper exploration of love and destiny intertwined with the family's troubled past."
Ann Bannon
I am a woman
"I Am a Woman" by Ann Bannon is a lesbian pulp fiction novel written in 1959. Laura Landon flees her harsh father and college failure to start fresh in New York City's Greenwich Village. Living with vivacious roommate Marcie, Laura discovers unexpected feelings and navigates the underground gay bar scene with new friends Jack and Beebo Brinker. As attraction, longing, and self-discovery collide, Laura must confront the truth about herself, her relationships, and her painful past in this groundbreaking story.
Anna Elisabet Weirauch
The scorpion
No description available.
Ann Bannon
Women in the shadows
No description available.
Anna Elisabet Weirauch
Der Skorpion. Band 2
"Der Skorpion. Band 2" by Anna Elisabet Weirauch is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book appears to center on Mette Rudloff, a young woman navigating grief, isolation, and her search for belonging in a society marked by social conventions and secrecy. The narrative seems deeply introspective, focusing on Mette's psychological struggles following significant losses, as well as her tentative steps into new social circles and complicated relationships. The opening of the novel finds Mette alone in her new room, haunted by memories of Olga and beset by anxiety, yet determined to acclimate herself to an unfamiliar environment and her own solitude. She examines her surroundings, battles inner fears, and reflects on the armor she has developed from past suffering. Mette’s days are spent in museums and galleries, intent on self-education and growth, but she also feels keenly her outsider status among the pension’s guests. As she observes the social dynamics between different cliques, she hesitantly allows herself to become involved, ultimately attending a lively gathering where she meets new acquaintances—including the deeply troubled Gisela Werkenthin, whose pain mirrors her own. Throughout, the narrative immerses the reader in Mette’s restless introspection, emotional wounds, and her yearning for meaning and connection amid alienation.
Gertrud Almqvist
I tolfte timmen : $b En gammal, dåraktig kvinnas bekännelser
No description available.
Clemence Dane
Regiment of Women
"Regiment of Women" by Clemence Dane is a novel published in 1917. Set in an Edwardian girls' school, it explores the intense relationship between two teachers: the charismatic, controlling Clare Hartill and young Alwynne Durand. As Hartill's dominating influence over Alwynne deepens, a student's tragic death exposes darker truths. When Alwynne's aunt intervenes, sending her niece to the countryside to recover, new possibilities emerge that challenge the bonds Hartill assumed unbreakable. This debut novel examines power, manipulation, and emotional dependence within a closed world.
Gregory Casparian
An Anglo-American Alliance: A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future
"An Anglo-American Alliance: A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future" by Gregory Casparian is a novel published in 1906. Set in 1960, it envisions a world where two upper-class women from Britain and America meet at a ladies' seminary and develop a secret romance. Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when one undergoes surgical transformation to become a man. This obscure work has been called the first lesbian science fiction novel and features what may be science fiction's first transgender hero.
Emilie Knopf
Der Liebe Lust und Leid der Frau zur Frau
"Der Liebe Lust und Leid der Frau zur Frau" by Emilie Knopf is an erotic novel written in the late 19th century. The work examines women’s same-sex desire within fashionable society, following the refined narrator Felicita and her captivating beloved Edita as admiration blossoms into passion, jealousy, and self-justification. Framed as a caution against excess while reveling in allure, it blends confession, romance, and social scandal. The opening of the novel juxtaposes a press report about the book’s obscenity case with a preface that invokes Sappho and casts the narrative as a warning about misdirected “women’s love.” The story then introduces Felicita, a wealthy aesthete who meets Edita at a masquerade ball; their intense friendship swiftly becomes a love affair, celebrated in art and private moments. At a seaside resort Felicita is tempted by Comtesse Eugénie, provoking Edita’s hurt and a reconciliation that culminates at Edita’s Rhine castle, where their bond deepens. Travel to Italy leads them into an aristocratic “ladies’ night” of voyeurism and indulgence, where Edita playfully stokes Felicita’s jealousy before restoring harmony. On the return through Tyrol they befriend a singer and an industrialist’s wife, overhearing a transactional liaison that the narrator views with distaste. Back home the pair devote themselves to painting and music, receive pupils, and later welcome the Venetian Marchesa and her companion—where the excerpt ends.
E. A. (Elizabeth Amy) Dillwyn
Jill, Vol. 1 (of 2)
"Jill, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by E. A. Dillwyn is a fictional novel written in the late 19th century. The book centers around the character of Jill Trecastle, a headstrong and adventurous young woman who seeks to break free from the constraints of her upbringing and family dynamics. The opening chapters introduce Jill's perspective on the nature of adventure, her relationship with her parents, and significant events that shape her desire for independence. At the start of the narrative, Jill reflects on her upbringing and the cool relationship with her mother, leading to her indifference toward her parents. After her mother’s death, Jill's life takes a radical turn when her father, Sir Anthony, marries a woman named Mrs. Grove, leading to a constrained and oppressive domestic life. As Jill feels increasingly trapped by her stepmother's authority and the expectations placed upon her, she devises an elaborate plan to escape and explore the world beyond Castle Manor, demonstrating her determination to carve her own path. This opening sets the stage for Jill's journey towards self-discovery and the adventures that lie ahead.
Anna Elisabet Weirauch
Der Skorpion. Band 1
"Der Skorpion. Band 1" by Anna Elisabet Weirauch is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the troubled life of Melitta Rudloff, a girl with a complicated background, who struggles with her identity and relationships in a world filled with societal expectations and personal ambitions. The themes of love, loss, and the quest for one's place in society are central to Melitta's journey, making it a compelling exploration of human emotions and societal constraints. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Melitta, who is characterized by her fascination with the outcasts and misfits of society. Through the stories of her childhood and the relationships with various characters, including her governess and her aunt, we witness her budding complexities and troubled emotions. Melitta exhibits a desire for connection and love, yet is often overshadowed by feelings of jealousy and inadequacy, particularly in her interactions with Olga Radó, who enters her life like a whirlwind, stirring both admiration and envy within her. This opening sets the tone for a narrative rich in psychological depth, exploring Melitta's internal conflicts as she navigates the tumultuous waters of adolescence and longing.
E. A. (Elizabeth Amy) Dillwyn
Jill, Vol. 2 (of 2)
"Jill, Vol. 2" by E. A. Dillwyn is a novel written in the late 19th century. This second volume continues the story of two characters, Jill and Kitty, who find themselves in dire circumstances involving captivity and escape. The narrative revolves around their harrowing experiences with kidnappers in Corsica, the tension of their peril, and their quest for freedom. At the start of the story, Jill and Kitty are being held captive by two criminals in a desolate location. The captors threaten them with violence while leading them through rugged terrain towards a remote chapel, which they intend to use as a hideout. As they experience the exhaustion and terror of their situation, they manage to devise an escape plan, utilizing their resourcefulness and bravery. The initial chapters set an intense tone as they face both physical and psychological challenges, emphasizing the girls' resilience in the face of danger and their determination to regain their freedom.
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