Charlotte
by Kathryn Shevelow
Our new book for August. I'm a bit tired so I'm just going to copy the review from Zooba. Not the best review, but it'll do until I can read it myself.
Lesbian history is being reconstructed one book at a time, so we’re thrilled to offer this incredible biography about an extraordinary woman who broke just about every rule of 1700s society. Charlotte Charke (1713-1760) lived her London life as a true product of a great metropolis. She was the daughter of a well-known comic actor/playwright of the time. With more interest in guns than needlework, Charlotte’s whole life was a drama, and it wasn’t long before she made her way to the stage…playing male roles. But after the final curtain call, she chose not to remove the man drag. Disowned by her family for disgracing them, she went from mother and wife to husband when she assumed the lifetime identity as Charles Brown and married another woman. This is a truly astounding slice of lesbian history.

Received: August 14, 2006