Monday 25 April marked the start of Lesbian Visibility week, and what better way to honour it than reading classic lesbian literature? The choices of Sapphic texts are numerous and knowing where to start can be overwhelming. To help, here’s a list of books to read. Brace yourself for excruciating emotions and intense yearning.
The Price of Salt (Patricia Highsmith)
Highsmith writes a simplistic romantic story of a young girl who falls in love with an older woman. Set in the 1950’s this book is devastatingly realistic. Showing the internal and societal complexities of living women. The book translated into the popular film ‘Carol’ (2015) starring Cate Blanchett.
Tipping the Velvet (Sarah Walters)
The name of this book is familiar, as it was adapted into a (quite explicit) BBC drama. Walters tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a male impersonator, who she followed to London. Her unfamiliar journey involves heartbreak and humour.
The Colour Purple (Alice Walker)
The Colour Purple is an important piece of black lesbian fiction. It’s an inspirational and explicit romance, with a strong societal commentary. It will make you feel exposed and vulnerable but grateful for the read.
Orlando (Virginia Woolf)
Orlando is a masterpiece spanning over 400 years, which follows a gender-fluid protagonist who changes between male and female over the years. It’s a subversive and satirical story as well a love letter to Woolf’s muse Vita Sackville-West
RubyFruit Jungle (Rita Mae Brown)
Rita Mae Brown provides a semi-autobiographical coming of age novel in which Molly, a loveable protagonist, explores her sexuality and adulthood. Brown is commended by critics for her raw, personal account of lesbianism.
Honourable mentions:
Lesbian poetry has a quiet influence on modern poetry. Many poems of women loving women are overlooked by male critics. Sappho is perhaps the most famous lesbian poet. But Emily Dickinson, Adrienne Rich and Elizabeth Bishop should also be treasured. Check out this list of WLW poets to find out more.
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