Strangers: Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century

A beautifully written account of male and female homosexuality in the Victorian era, this book provides insights into an time before the liberation movement of the late twentieth century. Divided into three sections there are insights into the shadows and strangers, but also outings and "Heroes of Modern Life."

This book is quite a terrific undertaking, synthesizing many anecdotes of homosexual life and love to form a picture that is more representative of day-to-day living for the 19th century man (again, studying primarily male homosexuality) than the more typically tragic and melodramatic conclusions generally made about homosexuality in the past. Although I was reading it for my studies I found myself entertained by it and would have enjoyed it outside of its immediate academic relevance. Robb isn't afraid to be funny and in the anecdotes there is often something utterly hopeful that makes you care in a personal way for these men from the not-so-distant past. He's quite discerning about the definitions of homosexuality and show more self-identification and I like the use of the numerous anecdotes in representing a more comprehensive view of gay Victorian life. There's much more to it than the legal aspects, or even the strictly sexual aspects. I recommend this one to anybody with a passing interest in Sexuality vs. The Victorians--always remember that the Victorians were no less naughty than we are.

A particular highlight of the book: learning that Edmund Gosse brought saucy von Gloeden photographs given to him by J.A. Symonds to Robert Browning's funeral. show less

Interesting information but incredibly dense... which would not typically be a problem but it was awkwardly written. Need to reread paragraphs and whole chapters just to de-gunk it and finally understand what the author was meaning. Still, the chapter on detectives (Sherlock Holmes! Dupin!) and how they can be read as queer was very very interesting and worth reading. I can't decide if I think that chapter is the best one because it directly uh, pertains to my interests or because it was so much more focused than the rest of the book.

I found this book well-written, carefully researched and convincily argued—an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Loved the last chapter, which was the reason I became interested in the book in the first place. Overall, the book was informative, though a bit difficult reading at times -- greater familiarity with Balzac might have helped.

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