Described as the "Bible of Lesbianism", decried, slated and
ultimately, banned, a reader could be forgiven for expecting
this novel to be a sexually titillating, morally challenging promotion of lesbianism.
I am sorry to argue that this is by no means the case. The style is archaic and the plot inconsequential, but the most striking element of this text is its ability to promote
patriarchal repression whilst ostensibly begging for acceptance.
Stephen Gordon is
ultimately an unlikeable character. By placing her in opposition to the world Radcliffe-Hall neither creates a feminist icon nor a loveable rogue - Stephen is odious, treating the women in her life as objects - patronising, possessive - she is more man than the men, more patriarchal than the patriarchs.
Her objectification of the female is striking, but even more than this, she perpetuates the economic oppression of the underpriveliged. She is snobbish. She revels in her misfortune and seeks to be ostracised. She takes advantage of her lovers' financial weakness. She is, in short, no better that a man.
This is not to say that the book does not have its prowesses. There is much to be said for the voicing of lesbianism in an age that was dedicated to its silence. There is a certain defiant power in Radcliffe-Hall's having written such a book at all; but its conservativism, fatalism and ultimate obviousness give an overall sense of dissatisfaction.
As a platform for activism, this book is certainly worth a read.
However, in the end, one cannot help but feel that the scarred, ugly and morally questionable Stephen gets all that she deserves.