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A review by binxthinx
Gentleman Jack: The Real Anne Lister by Anne Choma
3.0
Happy Pride Month! A very interesting and important story for both queer and feminist history. Really shows the need for intersectional feminism though —yeesh her social/economic conservatism! Her family though was SHOCKINGLY open to her lifestyle and even Christian gay marriage. She really was lucky with respect to finances, family, and situation. The large amount of primary text sources in her voice was surprising and much appreciated. The author’s writing was repetitive and I didn’t necessarily like a lot of her contributions, and I’m not sure about the pacing and choice of what to include or not. However, a decent read with good historical document inclusion. Also sad how little acceptance has changed in some circles— as someone who doesn’t always dress the most feminine, I can definitely attest to worse treatment for ugly/less feminine women even in more liberal areas, as well as continued harmful generalizations and stereotyping. But still, interesting to see how lesbianism was hidden and somewhat accepted in this time, and how different it was for queer women than for queer men. Secret perk of sexism I guess? The ending is kind of sad, but it’s a remarkable story nonetheless, and a lot less traumatic (in terms of homophobia) than so much modern queer media.
Also loved learning about her early work in anatomy and human dissection!! Sadly seemed to believe in phrenology and who knows the ethics of the bodies sourced for her work, but still, her ability to be so tough around gore was remarkable. The story about her employee’s partial autopsy was a little weird though, wonder if it was something he would’ve been OK with? It was interesting to think about her learning about her own sexuality without the language for it, and it in its own way being a scientific exploration of self and others. Also cool how she was just so darn charismatic that even if everyone thought she was “an oddity,” she was still able to social climb and be part of her society.
She was so much more than her love story though, and I wish the parts about her travels and business practices (though a bit yikes sometimes) were expanded on (and to be honest, better written). A more complete biography would be better.
Also the controversy about terminology for her presentation is a bit ridiculous, because we have so much of her writing and can see how she presents herself. She has her own words and thoughts and fighting about her seems a bit ridiculous. Our constant need to label everything I guess.I think people can enjoy her story and resonate with it without having to fight about terminology she didn’t know or identify with.
Also loved learning about her early work in anatomy and human dissection!! Sadly seemed to believe in phrenology and who knows the ethics of the bodies sourced for her work, but still, her ability to be so tough around gore was remarkable. The story about her employee’s partial autopsy was a little weird though, wonder if it was something he would’ve been OK with? It was interesting to think about her learning about her own sexuality without the language for it, and it in its own way being a scientific exploration of self and others. Also cool how she was just so darn charismatic that even if everyone thought she was “an oddity,” she was still able to social climb and be part of her society.
She was so much more than her love story though, and I wish the parts about her travels and business practices (though a bit yikes sometimes) were expanded on (and to be honest, better written). A more complete biography would be better.
Also the controversy about terminology for her presentation is a bit ridiculous, because we have so much of her writing and can see how she presents herself. She has her own words and thoughts and fighting about her seems a bit ridiculous. Our constant need to label everything I guess.I think people can enjoy her story and resonate with it without having to fight about terminology she didn’t know or identify with.