Scan barcode
zefancifulreader's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
It was an honour to read this diary.
It is THE example of how women carried on dual lives in a time when being queer was not an option. It also historically confirms that there were definitely lesbians in the Regency Era, which makes it such an important body of work.
As a book, it’s tedious and sometimes very boring. However, I found the juxtaposition between the un-coded and coded portions of the text completely fascinating. If you were to just read the un-coded words you would get the picture of a boring, shrewd, and honestly, rather self-important, lady, with no real depth. (Imagine all the slow parts of Pride and Prejudice without any of the drama.)
BUT THEN, you read the coded portions and you find an independent, smart, definitely shrewd, rather terrible but also self-conscious, woman who only wears black and is hungry for love and companionship. She’s honestly a fucking ICON.
It’s important to note that this book only covers her early years when she’s still very much in her angsty, “the love of my life is married” era which is excellent drama but doesn’t get to the true companionship Anne is searching for (and will ultimately find).
It is THE example of how women carried on dual lives in a time when being queer was not an option. It also historically confirms that there were definitely lesbians in the Regency Era, which makes it such an important body of work.
As a book, it’s tedious and sometimes very boring. However, I found the juxtaposition between the un-coded and coded portions of the text completely fascinating. If you were to just read the un-coded words you would get the picture of a boring, shrewd, and honestly, rather self-important, lady, with no real depth. (Imagine all the slow parts of Pride and Prejudice without any of the drama.)
BUT THEN, you read the coded portions and you find an independent, smart, definitely shrewd, rather terrible but also self-conscious, woman who only wears black and is hungry for love and companionship. She’s honestly a fucking ICON.
It’s important to note that this book only covers her early years when she’s still very much in her angsty, “the love of my life is married” era which is excellent drama but doesn’t get to the true companionship Anne is searching for (and will ultimately find).
amina_writes_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
5.0
Beautifully written classic and beautifully rendered diary of an inspirational pioneer of the lesbian community. Readers notes extremely informative, forward full of amazing context.
ellawill06's review against another edition
5.0
absolute icon, i adore her
only wish i had annotated my favourite parts more to include quotes here
only wish i had annotated my favourite parts more to include quotes here
whatthelauj's review against another edition
I’m a mood reader. My mood swung and never came back around. I might come back to it another time