Loading ...“Patience and Sarah” by Isabel Miller
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The book dedication reads:
“To Miss Wilson and Miss Brundidge It indicates that the story is based on real women, or at least inspired by real women, the American painter Mary Ann Willson and her “companion” Miss Brundidge, who lived together on a farm in the early 19th century. |
This is so far the oldest lesbian story I have come across. Sure, the book was actually written in the 60s but the fact it is based on real women living in the early 19th century made a huge impact on me.
As for the story, it is a story of passion, of suffering, of love and of happiness. The book is relatively short and reads very well, providing chuckles, tears, gasps, smiles and the belief that love is all you need.
When reading historical novels, I’m used to reading between the lines to decipher special friendships and relationships between the female characters. It might be implied but it is never written black on white.
In recent years, Sarah Waters has provided us with great lesbian historical novels, but I came across Isabel Miller’s book before Sarah came onto the scene, so it was the first of its kind for me, and it is still rare enough to have a place on all lesbians’ bookshelves. Recommended
Links:
Patience and Sarah, the opera inspired by the novel, written by Paula M Kimper and Wende Persons
Mary Ann Wilson
Across the page: The classics, AfterEllen.com
Tags: lesbian/bi women