Now let's have a look at Fanny and Stella: a couple of "He-She Ladies" who could give all of you laydeez a run for your money.
Stella rests her head on her beloved Fanny’s breast.
Mistress MJ is currently reading "Fanny & Stella: The Young Men Who Shocked Victorian England" by Neil McKenna. See review here.
By day, Ernest "Stella" Boulton and Frederick "Fanny" Park were, respectively, a bank clerk and a solicitor. By night, they were part-time actresses and part-time prostitutes.
Arrested in the Strand Theatre whilst dressed as their alter egos, Fanny and Stella were accused of “conspiring and inciting persons to commit an unnatural offence”. I think you can read between the lines to know what that means.
Their trial shocked the nation as every detail of Fanny and Stella's lives were dragged into the public eye. Their frocks and undergarments were paraded through the courtroom as evidence. They were required to submit to humiliating, intimate physical examinations for signs of sodomy by no less than six doctors. If they did not go free, they would face a lifetime of penal servitude.
Reading this book is like peering through a keyhole onto another world and time.
Pick it up and enjoy a lively and gripping account of two men dressed as women whose camp excesses scandalized a nation.
But enough about what I'm reading. What are you reading, Bitches?
We went to a fab evening in February with Mr McKenna, reading from the book. He is a lovely man!
ReplyDeleteThe story is certainly a fascinating one - I do so agree!
Jx
PS First...
DeletePPS I have just started reading "Exchange" by Paul Magrs. Jx
DeleteJON: I was so busy reading the Autobiography of Miss Normadesmond that day, that I missed your post.
DeleteBut when I purchased the book, it crossed my mind that it’s something you might have on your bookshelf.
And I love this quote that you’ve included from Mr. McKenna in your post…
“I don’t think you can ever have too much camp,” he said. “Bring back camp.”
And this…
I had wanted to write a book which was going to be completely gay. I was fed up with writing stuff that had to be seen through a prism of heterosexuality. I just thought I’m going to go for it. I’m going to write a book that is totally and completely gay. I’m going to call Fanny and Stella ‘she’ because that was what they called themselves… and that was a little bit of a sticking point again at various stages of the publication process. I much preferred to call them ‘she’ and that was a battle I won.
I think it’s quite new and quite exciting for Faber to publish a rip-roaringly gay, unmediated, utterly-butterly book about gay men, drag, bottoms, fucking and cock-sucking.
p.s. Let us know your opinion on “Exchange” once you’ve finished it.
"Bring back camp" is my eternal motto... Jx
DeleteJON: A big butch tattoo with that slogan would be lovely.
DeleteI was think more of an embroidered voile scarf, but each to their own. Jx
DeleteJON: I have a lovely piece of chiffon you might like.
DeleteBy the by, did you know that "chiffon" is the French word for "RAG?"
Proving that everything sounds better in French.
Finished A House for Mr Biswas by Naipul last night and soon to start on Anthony Powell's epic A Dance to the Music of Time.
ReplyDeleteTOPHER: Epic, indeed!
DeleteAm I correct that “A Dance to the Music of Time” is composed of 12 volumes?
you are most assuredly correct on that!
DeleteI read a review of that book and am keen to read it too. I've just discovered Lorrie Moore and am reading her collected short stories xxx
ReplyDeleteLULU: I’m still waiting for your autobiography entitled, “Memoirs of a Professional Jelly Wrestler.”
DeleteILOVE Lorrie Moore
Delete... book, eh?!
ReplyDeleteMAGO: You know...the things you smell like.
DeleteAnd I mean that as a compliment.
Now, those were frocks one could go to war in. Lead-lined, industrial strength crinoline over an all-round bustle constructed of girders. The very last word in factory-grade Victorian frou-frou.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a UK size 12, extra long in gunmetal grey, please.
Oh, and I'm about to start reading The Candle Man (A Victorian Thriller), by Alex Scarrow.
MR. DeVICE: constructed of girders …sounds like my bra.
DeleteI’m reading a review of your “Candle Man” book and found this description…
if you’re just looking for a rollicking read set in Victorian London with a bit of serial killer action to spice things up a bit, this will probably do the trick nicely.
Sounds inviting enough but then I read this…
This is definitely a book to avoid if descriptions of infanticide are likely to cause upset.
Perhaps I’ll give it a miss.
Infanticide? Jinkies! I'd better not lend this to Indescribable when I've done with it - She's just popped her sprog!
DeleteMR. DeVICE: Congratulations!
DeleteYou’re an uncle!
Although I’m sure the sprog will call you Auntie.
Not reading nearly enough, but when I am, at the moment it's Ethan Mordden's joint bio of Weill and Lenya - two utterly mismatched people who nonetheless were a marvelous fit, while the world around the them collapsed repeatedly. Reminds me of the Mister and me...
ReplyDeleteMUSCATO: Tell me, are you playing “September Song” in the background?
DeleteI must admit the book does sound intresting. But read? With the gin ,the words have tendency to jump around. That's what my houseboys do, they read to me.
ReplyDeleteI sympathise, dear, but I didn't think any of your houseboys could read... (And certainly nothing with the word "Fanny" in it) Jx
Deletehoney...it's like your here.
DeleteMISTRESS MADDIE: Jon has a point.
DeleteDon’t the houseboys simply point to the pictures?
Standard for Surface Raceways and Fittings for Use with Data, Signal, and Control Circuits, Underwriters Laboratories Standard 5C.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds gripping LX. I've just finished reading "If You Give A Cyclops A Kitten".
DeleteLX: A real page turner!
DeleteMITZI: I suggest you follow it up with “Mommy Needs to Go to Detox.”
being mankiewicz
ReplyDeletea memoir by tom, frank's son.
uncommon knowledge
a memoir by judy lewis, loretta young & gable's daughter
tom's is okay. can't say i'm fascinated by all he's worked on, but it's still fun. and that bitch loretta, well.....i'm still not finished.
NORMA: If it is possible to posthumously slap a bitch, I say go for it with Loretta.
DeleteI'm flipping through the catalogue of bulges... er... I mean BULBS... yes... that's right. I need to buy some tulip bulbs and those... how they're called... priscilla sibericca.
ReplyDeleteAnd for many years, I have on my night table the score of Wagner's Götterdämmerung (try to pronounce this one, bitches). I want to learn it by heart...
I'm still on page one!
HUGGY JON: Götterdämmerung?
DeleteSuch language!
Go wash your mouth out with soap!
Huggy Jon: Might I suggest this as a very good place to start? Jx
DeleteLove, love, love Anna. I posted her Lecture on Wagner's Ring on my old blog.
DeleteI also love her talk on how to become an opera singer.
I think I should get myself a wing helmet and a brass bra!!!
You mean you haven't already got them? Jx
DeleteI'm still still struggling with
ReplyDelete"Fun with Dick and Jane"
That Jane... Boy... was she one Bitch of a cock blocker!
PRINNY: I have the Yiddish version.
Deletein THAT book, she's one
Deletebitch of a cut cock blocker.
MJ, wanted to know if you're still watching Selfridges? I tried a couple episodes and: was it me or was:
ReplyDelete1. the story good, but executed kinda so-so?
2. The acting slightly OTT?
3. The scenery/costumes just not distracting enough?
I've got two more episodes PVR'd - do I watch em or not? Please advise.
luv ya!
RILEY: Although I’ve recorded the latest episodes, I’m not caught up yet.
DeleteBut my advice is not to watch anything that raises those three points you’ve mentioned.
If it isn’t doing anything for you at this point, it won’t improve.
The same goes for books…if it doesn’t grab you within the first couple of chapters, put it down and pick up something that does.
I am of one mind with Riley. I finally realized the only thing the show had going for it was Jeremy Piven's beard.
DeleteRight now I'm reading a trashy blog ground out by a trashy Canadiannne harlot and her misguided minions. Trash.
PEENEE: It may not be as well known as the Pulitzer prize or the Man Booker prize but Infomaniac is the recipient of the prestigious Knudsen Award.
DeleteWith regard to Mr Selfridge, don't say I didn't warn you - it made "Are You Being Served" seem like "Hedda Gabler". Jx
DeleteJON: It just goes to show that I should have listened to you instead of prescribing tranquillizers.
Deletei haven't returned to selfridge either & haven't lost a moment's sleep.
Deleteas for mr. peenee's reading list, maybe we could
do something about having it bound....
NORMA: Funny enough, I was thinking of creating a hard copy of my blog entitled, “The Worst of Infomaniac” and sending copies to all my Bitches but I’m too cheap to pay the self-publishing costs and the postage.
Deletewe could have a fund-raiser.
Deletei'll make a casserole!
Why not bake your famous Ding Dong Cake, Norma?
Deletedone.
DeleteI think the six doctors were up to something....?
ReplyDeletePerhaps they feature in a sequel?
Sx
MISS SCARLET: A "Carry On" film, perhaps?
DeleteCarry On Fanny.... or Carry On At Her Majesty's Pleasure?
ReplyDeleteI missed the question at the end of your post... I am reading....Quiet by Susan Cain... and, The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce... have only just started both... one is a novel and one is non fiction.
Sx
MISS SCARLET: I read three novels in a row about old men (not intentionally,) including “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.”
DeleteThe other two were “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by British author Helen Simonson and “The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson.
As for “Quiet” it’s been on my “to-read” list for months and I’m sure I’ll see myself reflected in its pages.
oh! And something else to look out for... after Corrie tonight a new comedy series called Vicious starring Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen and Frances de la Tour... it's about an elderly gay couple... Crikey, what a cast though! I'm hoping it lives up to expectations.
DeleteSx
I fear that may be a "fly-on-the-wall" documentary of our home life here at Dolores Delargo Towers... Jx
Delete...and I will be adding your books to my reading list.
DeleteSx
I'm really looking forward to it, Jon!
DeleteSx
MISS SCARLET & JON: I’ll play “Vicious” on a loop in the Infomaniac Villa of Queens Old Homosexuals' Haven Retirement Home.
DeleteMISS SCARLET: If you enjoy the books, send me an email and let me know. Occasionally I read books that I think might tickle your fancy.
I started Major Pettigrew but decided it was too much like an E.F. Benson/Barbara Pym retread with all the good parts left out.
DeletePEENEE: Mistress MJ thinks it’s delightful that you’ve read Barbara Pym.
Delete*pictures Peenee reclining on antique fainting chaise, cat in lap, teacup in hand*
I can't read.
ReplyDeleteAYEM8Y: Thank goodness you’re pretty.
DeleteAn article to read about two of The Mistress' pet peeves: stray bodily fluids and CROCS!
ReplyDeleteXL: Why must you taunt me so?
DeleteI liked this comment from someone who read the article…
If you're not a toddler, a senior citizen or a doctor, please do us all a favor and NEVER EVER EVER WEAR CROCS IN PUBLIC.
Oh right! I mention crocs and I end up in the oubliettes but lx uses the word in capital letters and he doesn't even get a slap in the face.
Delete*pouts*
HUGGY JON: LX is “Personal IT Consultant to Mistress MJ.”
DeleteShe must tread carefully or risk losing his services.
I love this story. I grew up in a small town called...wait for it...Fannystelle!! How could I hhave never heard of Fanny & Stella? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteDONN: You’re from a town called Fannystelle?
DeleteThat explains a lot about you.
Nice. It was named after a Parisian gal who built a town close to Whateverpeg for down-on-their-luck French immigrants..her name was Fanny and it was called Fanny's etoille Star or Fannystelle.
DeleteI kid you not.
DONN: Population 105!
Delete104 now that you've left town.
Terrible thing to admit, but it's been only gardening & cooking books for me over this last year.
ReplyDeleteI love terrible! ;)
DeleteI did get this book about bulbs....
WALLY: Nothing terrible about that.
DeleteIn fact, we’ll be discussing gardening books and cookery books in an upcoming post.
DOes "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", "Charlottes Web" or anything Harry Potter count?
ReplyDeleteMy youngest crumb grubber has INSISTED that I read these (and so very many others) with him.
Well, I DID re-read "Catcher in the Rye" with oldest, but that doesn't much count either does it?
BLAZNG SCARLET: “Crumb grabber”… I like that.
DeleteAll of the above books count BIG TIME.
Reading is one of the most important things you can do with your children.
*steps off soapbox and back into gutter*