References balmain, colette 2004 lost in translation. Pronounced obscene after a sensational and scandalous court case, it was banned in the united kingdom until the late 1940s. It follows the life of stephen gordon, an englishwoman from an upperclass family whose sexual inversion homosexuality is apparent from an. The well of loneliness is a lesbian novel by british author radclyffe hall that was first published in 1928 by jonathan cape. Otherness and orientalism in the ring, in diagesis. This inspiring and fascinating memoir, subtitled, the autobiography of the legendary catholic social activist, the long loneliness is the late dorothy days compelling autobiographical testament to her life of social activism and her spiritual pilgrimage. Pronounced obscene following a sensational trial, the book has become a cultural icon as well as a source of considerable debate, especially among feminists, lesbians, and. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall summary of the novels fight in both the british and american court systems. Hall wrote many books but is best known for the well of loneliness, first published in 1928. The well of loneliness is an engaging story that shows the challenges, indignities suffered and, yes, the loneliness of being gay, particularly at the time this book was written. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall waterstones. A talent for sports, a hatred of dresses, and a preference for horses and solitude were not considered appropriate for a young lady of the victorian upper classes. She died in 1943 and is buried in highgate cemetery in london. American firm covici and friede took on the risky act of publishing the book in the united states just months after the well of loneliness was banned in england.
A 1920s classic of lesbian fiction by radclyffe hall and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The well of lonelinesss obscenity trial on august 19, 1928, less than a month after the publication of the well of loneliness, james douglas article a book that must be suppressed appeared in the sunday express, stating. Famously sparking an obscenity trial, this 1928 bookwhich the times literary supplement called the archetypal lesbian novelfollows stephen, a woman who wears pants and short hair and realizes shes attracted to women. Perhaps not as well known, she lost her second to the ravages of cancer. Discover more about susanna isern and her books on her website. Blessed with a unique vocal ability, david atkins is a timid young southern boy when, at the age of eight, he is introduced to a manipulative former opera diva, carlotta vasselli.
Publication date 1928 topics lesbians publisher new york, covici friede collection. Hall was renowned for her open homosexuality, a subject dealt with in her bestknown novel, the well of loneliness 1928, a semiautobiographical work and the only one of her eight novels to deal with. She became a fulltime writer in the 1960s, and has since written numerous screenplays, poetry and novels. The well of loneliness is a 1928 lesbian novel by the english author radclyffe hall. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall 2006, paperback.
Radclyffe hall, english writer whose novel the well of loneliness 1928 created a scandal and was banned for a time in britain for its treatment of lesbianism. The well of loneliness is a 1928 book written by radclyffe hall about homosexuality. First published in 1928, this timeless portrayal of lesbian love is now a classic. Not very far from uptononsevern between it, in fact, and the malvern hills stands the country seat of the gordons of bramley. It has influenced how love between women is understood, for the twentieth century and beyond.
Radclyffehalls the well of loneliness,regarded as a classic of lesbian literature, went on trial in england on thisday in 1928. Recognizing davids gift, carlotta, with the aid of her husband, develops a plot which grants them ultimate control. The well of loneliness wordsworth classics paperback. In 1920, the house of lords declined to amend the criminal laws of england to include lesbians because the lords would not acknowledge that they even existed. Charting her romantic and professional adventures during the first world war and beyond, the novel provoked a furore on first publication in 1928 for its lesbian. The well of loneliness was banned for obscenity when published in 1928. Hall was educated at kings college, london, and then attended school in germany. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall goodreads. Published by radclyffe hall herself in 1928, it was immediately banned in britain due to its lesbian theme and was allowed in. Here you will find honesty and compassion, not platitudes. Feb 26, 2016 laing explores the link between loneliness and literature in 10 books. One of the first books about lesbianism, it was banned and suppressed in both england and america for its frank portrayal of a woman who struggled with her sexuality all of her life. But when stephen grows up and falls passionately in love with another woman, her standing in the county and her place at the home she loves become untenable. The well of loneliness is the story of stephen gordon, an aristocratic woman who prefers to dress in a masculine fashion, and who loves women.
Im fascinated by loneliness what it looks like, how it feels, what it does to people and it seems im not the only one. Ive come to learn that books are great medicine to curing loneliness. Well of loneliness by radclyffe hall new paperback book ebay. She finds love with mary llewellyn, whom she meets while serving as an ambulance driver in world war i, but their. The first edition of the novel was published in 1928, and was written by radclyffe hall. The silent novel in radclyffe halls groundbreaking the. It follows the life of stephen gordon, an englishwoman from an upperclass family whose sexual inversion that is, homosexuality is apparent from an early age. Forever entombed within the well of loneliness, sadako is a tragic figure and the embodiment of the themes of isolation, despair and emptiness that run throughout japanese horror film. The novel tells the story of stephen gordon so named because.
The well of loneliness was banned for obscenity when stephen is an ideal child of aristocratic parentsa fencer, a horse rider and a keen scholar. Pdf the well of loneliness download full pdf book download. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall 2008, paperback. Cacioppo 19512018 was a psychology professor at the university of chicago and director of the universitys center for cognitive and social neuroscience. Free download or read online the well of loneliness pdf epub book. Jan 25, 2010 the subtlety, the craftiness of that question which in common decency could have but one answer. The book was banned for obscenity because its main character is a lesbian, and it subsequently became a notorious bestseller, thrusting hall into a literary rogues gallery of fame. Sep 26, 20 radclyffe halls the well of loneliness, a candid, semiautobiographical novel about coming to terms with a lesbian identity, brought to the forefront the question of whether or not the frank portrayal of lesbianism in a book was grounds for charges of obscenity. The thinly disguised story of halls own life, it was banned outright upon publication and almost ruined her literary career. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall the well of loneliness is a lesbian novel by british author radclyffe hall that was first published in 1928 by jonathan cape.
It follows the life of stephen gordon, an englishwoman from an upperclass family whose sexual inversion homosexuality is apparent from an early age. Yet, though written in 1928, it is still relevant to all people interested in issues of inclusiveness and diversity. Editions of the well of loneliness by radclyffe hall. Jun 10, 2015 novelist rebecca dinerstein chooses her top 10 books on solitude, remoteness and physical or psychic isolation rebecca dinerstein wed 10 jun 2015 08. He was the author of more than a dozen books, including loneliness. Not very far from up tononsevernbetween it, in fact, and the malvern hillsstands the country seat of the gordons of bramley. Jan 07, 2014 the well of loneliness was banned for obscenity when published in 1928. Hall was renowned for her open homosexuality, a subject dealt with in her bestknown novel, the well of loneliness 1928, a semiautobiographical work and the only one of her eight novels to deal with overt lesbian themes.
Penguin modern classics the well of loneliness, book by. The emotional honesty and passion that burns through the text make this is autobiographical fiction at its best. Stephen grows to be a war hero, a bestselling writer and a loyal, protective lover. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 414 pages and is available in paperback format. Pdf the well of loneliness download read online free. Hall 18801943 was legendary in her own timeor infamous, some might sayfor her fifth novel, the well of loneliness 1928. In the early 21st century, loneliness began to be a medical as well as a social concern.
Radclyffe hall, the pen name of marguerite radclyffehall, was born in bournemouth on august 12, 1880. The well of loneliness tells the story of tomboyish stephen, who hunts, wears trousers and cuts her hair short and who gradually comes to realise that she is attracted to women. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall paperback, 2006. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall overdrive rakuten. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
I would rather give a healthy boy or a healthy girl a phial of prussic acid than this novel. Imagine growing up with people judging you and condemning you because you are some notquitedefinably. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall, paperback. The well of loneliness by michael tanner, paperback barnes. In the path of loneliness, elliot gives hope to the lonely through tender reflections on gods love for us and his plans to bless us. The novel is about stephen gordon, a young englishwoman who is a lesbian, in a time when acceptance of this lifestyle was nonexistent. The well of loneliness by hall and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Charting her romantic and professional adventures during the first world war and beyond, the. Lesbian novel was danger to nation uk news the guardian. As her ambitions drive her, and society confines her, stephen is forced into desperate actions. The well of loneliness used books and rare books from. Published by radclyffe hall herself in 1928, it was immediately banned in britain due to its lesbian theme and was allowed in the united states only after a long court battle.
Oct 19, 2012 the well of loneliness will just make you long for a world without this book in it. The well of loneliness provided an open treatment of lesbianism at a time when homosexuality could not be discussed in english books or in the english press. A novel about lesbian love congenital inverts the book was suppresed both here and in the u. Mar 30, 2016 12 inspiring books to read when youre feeling lonely and need some cheering up.
The well of loneliness abebooks shop for books, art. Maureen duffy was born in 1933 and educated at kings college london. Radclyffe halls the well of loneliness is one of those books that i can appreciate for its history, rather than its literary quality. Sep 30, 2010 featuring on the banned books list, the well of loneliness by radclyffe hall was published in 1928 and subsequently banned. The seminal work of gay literature that sparked an infamous legal trial for obscenity and went on to become a bestseller, the well of loneliness tells the story of tomboyish stephen, who hunts, wears trousers and cuts her hair short and who gradually comes to realise that she is attracted to women. The main characters of this fiction, lgbt story are stephen gordon. Stephen gordon was a little girl who always felt different. The well of loneliness may use dated prose, may seem unlike our day and age, and may suffer from being all but overwrought with its message, but at its core it is a beautiful, insightful novel. The well of loneliness by radclyffe hall is a controversial novel that was banned at the time of its publication in 1928. Pdf the well of loneliness book by radclyffe hall free. Among those eminent writers who came to the novels defense wasvirginia woolf, though motivated by principle rather than art. She is most famous today for the well of loneliness which she wrote in 1928. Books and resources to help christians struggling with loneliness.
The central theme alienation has the capacity to appeal to, and attract, nearly anybody. When she falls recklessly in love with the bohemian family of one of her pupils, you know it cant end well nor does it. Born marguerite radclyffehall in 1880, hall wrote eight novels, the most famous being the well of loneliness. The language itself at times seems stilted and biblical if not awkward, perhaps reflecting ideas about good writing in the 1920s. This 67page guide for the well of loneliness by radclyffe hall includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 56 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis.
Quotes from the well of loneliness radclyffe hall the. Hall, a flamboyant lesbian, wrote the well of loneliness to put my pen at the service of some of the most misunderstood people in the world. The history and legacy surrounding the well of loneliness. The well of loneliness is called the first undisguised lesbian novel in the english language, which makes it required reading for a womens studies class or scholarly lesbians. The well of loneliness vintage classics and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. It became an international bestseller, and for decades was the single most famous lesbian novel. In light of an ageing population, with health risks attached to loneliness, postindustrial societies.
It follows the life of stephen gordon, an englishwoman from an upperclass. The english writer radclyffe hall 18801943 is best known for her lesbian novel the well of loneliness 1928. She was educated at kings college, london, and later undertook further studies in germany. The well tells the story of the masculine female author, stephen gordon, coming to terms with her sexuality.
The well of loneliness the radclyffe hall novel at times referred to as the bible of lesbianism was released in britain in 1928 and was immediately controversial. It is perhaps the first coming out story published let me know of others, if im wrong, and sets down the pattern for that particularly kind of bildungsroman that many other coming out stories would follow, charting stephens life from. The well of loneliness by michael tanner, paperback. The well of loneliness is a 1928 lesbian novel by the british author radclyffe hall. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Kupshik and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Reading and reassessing the construction of gender and. First published july 1928 in england by jonathan cape, the well was soon seized and criminalized for violating the obscene. The book remained banned in england until 1959, when the obscene publications act was amended to differentiate controversial works of art and literature with social merit. Raftery was dead, there was nothing to hold her, she was freewhat a terrible thing could be freedom. I have never read anything like the well of loneliness. Top 10 books about loneliness fay bound alberti books.
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