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A review by lezreadalot
The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister by Anne Lister
5.0
‘Burnt Mr Montagu’s farewell verses that no trace of any man’s admiration may remain. It is not meet for me. I love and only love the fairer sex and thus, beloved by them in turn, my heart revolts from any other love than theirs.’
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Having watched the show Gentleman Jack and fallen in love with Anne, I knew I would want to read the diaries that inspired it. This first account, taken from the years 1816-1824, and therefore long before the show even begins, tells us so much about the woman Anne was, the woman she was becoming, her triumphs and her disappointments and the loves in her life. Historical lesbian romance is my favourite genre, being a lesbian who loves romance novels and history and seeing oneself in books. And though this is obviously not a romance, it still satisfied so very deeply the part of me that just... LOVES seeing this type of love and knowing that it has always existed, no matter what other people think/say on the subject. Seeing her desire women, yearn to be loved by them in return, the way she presented, the way she reacted when encountering other lesbian women out in the wild... I loved it so much!
I couldn't help but compare it to the show, and I really think that in casting and writing they did a perfect job of bringing life to this fascinating, accomplished, intelligent, deeply flawed woman. And I do mean deeply flawed; Anne is no candidate for lesbian of the year. She was extremely classist, a monarchist to the bone, could be selfish and manipulative, super obsessed with upward advancement and how she was seen by 'good society', had some whack ideas about women (she was totally against universal suffrage). But she was also kind and loving and generous and gallant and very fair minded in a way I didn't expect. She took absolutely no shit from men (and they tried to give her a lot; the harassment that she faced for acting and dressing the way she did was horrendous) and was super clever and voracious about learning.
This selection from her journals covers a period after Mariana was already married, but they were still closely attached, and details her entanglements with Mariana Lawton, Anne Belcombe, Isabella Norcliffe, her infatuation with Maria Browne, and a wealth of details about her family relationships and the friends and acquaintances she cultivated. Ann doesn't appear very much, but appear she does! It was also very interesting just as a historical read, to get to learn little things about the time period: food, culture, money matters, travelling, etc.
Great great read, I really look forward to reading the other volumes.
However, I will never fear. Be firm. Learn to have nerve to protect myself & make the best of all things. [...] Pray against this & for God’s protection & blessing, & then face the days undaunted.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Having watched the show Gentleman Jack and fallen in love with Anne, I knew I would want to read the diaries that inspired it. This first account, taken from the years 1816-1824, and therefore long before the show even begins, tells us so much about the woman Anne was, the woman she was becoming, her triumphs and her disappointments and the loves in her life. Historical lesbian romance is my favourite genre, being a lesbian who loves romance novels and history and seeing oneself in books. And though this is obviously not a romance, it still satisfied so very deeply the part of me that just... LOVES seeing this type of love and knowing that it has always existed, no matter what other people think/say on the subject. Seeing her desire women, yearn to be loved by them in return, the way she presented, the way she reacted when encountering other lesbian women out in the wild... I loved it so much!
I couldn't help but compare it to the show, and I really think that in casting and writing they did a perfect job of bringing life to this fascinating, accomplished, intelligent, deeply flawed woman. And I do mean deeply flawed; Anne is no candidate for lesbian of the year. She was extremely classist, a monarchist to the bone, could be selfish and manipulative, super obsessed with upward advancement and how she was seen by 'good society', had some whack ideas about women (she was totally against universal suffrage). But she was also kind and loving and generous and gallant and very fair minded in a way I didn't expect. She took absolutely no shit from men (and they tried to give her a lot; the harassment that she faced for acting and dressing the way she did was horrendous) and was super clever and voracious about learning.
This selection from her journals covers a period after Mariana was already married, but they were still closely attached, and details her entanglements with Mariana Lawton, Anne Belcombe, Isabella Norcliffe, her infatuation with Maria Browne, and a wealth of details about her family relationships and the friends and acquaintances she cultivated. Ann doesn't appear very much, but appear she does! It was also very interesting just as a historical read, to get to learn little things about the time period: food, culture, money matters, travelling, etc.
Great great read, I really look forward to reading the other volumes.
However, I will never fear. Be firm. Learn to have nerve to protect myself & make the best of all things. [...] Pray against this & for God’s protection & blessing, & then face the days undaunted.