Extraordinary Women

Extraordinary Women (1928) is a satirical novel by Compton Mackenzie set on Sirene, a fictional Mediterranean island based on Capri during World War I. The narrative centers on a community of wealthy expatriate women, featuring characters inspired by prominent lesbian figures of the era. The story follows Rosalba Donsante, a young Italian woman navigating romantic relationships within the island's social circle. Her connection with English aristocrat Aurora "Rory" Freemantle forms the central relationship, while interactions with other members of the island's community drive the plot. The novel reconstructs the atmosphere of expatriate life on a Mediterranean island during wartime, depicting the social dynamics, cultural tensions, and personal politics of its inhabitants. Many characters represent thinly veiled portraits of real individuals from Mackenzie's social circles, including writer Radclyffe Hall and artist Romaine Brookes. This work stands as an early example of LGBT literature that examines themes of identity, social class, and the pursuit of personal freedom within the constraints of early 20th-century society.

Readers appreciate Mackenzie's satire of 1920s lesbian social circles on the French Riviera, noting the keen observations of relationships and social dynamics. Several reviews highlight the wit and sophisticated humor in portraying the characters' romantic entanglements. Readers liked: - Historically accurate depiction of queer expatriate life - Complex female characters and relationships - Sharp dialogue and social commentary - Period-specific details of the French Riviera setting Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Large number of characters to track - Some outdated language and attitudes - Meandering subplots Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (14 ratings) Notable review quotes: "A fascinating time capsule of queer history" - Goodreads reviewer "The characters feel real but the plot wanders" - Amazon reviewer "Worth reading for the social history alone" - LibraryThing review

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🌟 The novel was directly influenced by Mackenzie's own experiences living on Capri from 1913 to 1920, where he witnessed the fascinating social dynamics of expatriate society. 🌟 Published in 1928, the book caused quite a scandal as many of the characters were recognized as thinly disguised portraits of actual Capri residents, including notable socialites of the era. 🌟 The island of Sirene/Capri had long been a haven for artists, writers, and eccentric aristocrats, particularly those seeking refuge from conservative mainland society's judgment of their lifestyles. 🌟 Compton Mackenzie was also a founding member of the Scottish National Party and served as its Vice President, bringing his keen eye for social observation to political activism. 🌟 The novel's exploration of same-sex relationships was remarkably forward-thinking for its time, though it was often coded in subtle ways to avoid censorship in 1920s publishing.