One of the most influential gay and lesbian novels, The Well of Lonelinessrecounts the life and loves of Stephen Gordon, a defiant woman whosimply wants to be true to herself. Named by a father who wanted aboy, Stephen is a keen fencer, horse rider and lover of women. Her less-than-feminine behaviour causes a rift between her and her mother andeventually she leaves home, living on her own terms and experiencing aseries of affairs. Her journey of self-discovery takes her from bohemianParis to the battlefield of World War One, where she becomes a hero while we witness her joy and pain at being an 'other'. Banned forobscenity in 1928 and not republished until 1949, The Well of Lonelinessis a compelling exploration of sexuality and gender identity.