Passing Strange

Passing Strange follows a group of women in 1940s San Francisco who navigate their lives and relationships within the city's underground LGBT community. The story centers on Loretta Haskel, a pulp magazine artist, and Emily Netterfield, a singer who performs in drag. The narrative moves between present day and 1940s San Francisco, connecting through a valuable painting and its fate. The characters live on the edges of acceptable society, finding ways to pursue their relationships despite the legal and social restrictions of the era. Magic exists at the margins of this historical setting, manifesting through one character's teleportation abilities and through the power of art itself. The central romance between Haskel and Emily develops against a backdrop of both mundane and supernatural danger. The novella explores themes of identity, survival, and the power of art to transform reality. Through its blend of historical fiction and fantasy elements, it presents a meditation on how marginalized people create spaces of freedom within oppressive systems.

Readers describe this novella as an intimate portrait of lesbian life in 1940s San Francisco, praising the vivid historical details and atmospheric sense of place. Many note the rich descriptions of the city's LGBTQ community and nightlife scene during that era. Readers liked: - The detailed research and historical accuracy - The realistic portrayal of relationships - The noir atmosphere and supernatural elements - The tight, focused storytelling Readers disliked: - The short length left them wanting more development - Some found the pacing slow in the first half - A few felt the supernatural aspects needed more explanation Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (230+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (150+ ratings) Common review notes mention the "immersive historical atmosphere" and "authentic character dynamics." Several readers compared it favorably to Sarah Waters' historical fiction, though noting this work is more compressed.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid The story of a bisexual Hollywood actress in the 1950s-60s who hides her true relationship while navigating fame parallels the themes of secret love and dual identities.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo Set in 1950s San Francisco's Chinatown, this tale of first love between two young women in the Red Scare era shares the same historical setting and focus on hidden relationships.

Orlando by Virginia Woolf This story of a gender-shifting immortal who lives through centuries of English history explores similar themes of art, identity transformation, and magical realism.

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, nom de plume Set in 1950s New York, this romance between a shopgirl and a wealthy woman captures the same era's restrictions and the careful navigation of forbidden love.

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey This noir mystery set at a magical school combines elements of fantasy with realistic queer relationships in ways that mirror the genre-blending approach of Passing Strange.

★ San Francisco's Mona's 440 Club, featured in the book, was the first lesbian bar in America to be openly advertised as a "gay" establishment, opening its doors in 1936. ★ Author Ellen Klages won the Nebula Award for Best Novelette in 2017 for "Passing Strange" and is also known for her World War II-era novel "The Green Glass Sea." ★ In 1940s San Francisco, cross-dressing was illegal, and individuals could be arrested for wearing clothing of the opposite gender - a law that remained in effect until 1974. ★ The pulp magazine industry of the 1940s, which forms part of the book's backdrop, provided rare employment opportunities for women artists but often required them to work under male pseudonyms. ★ The San Francisco fog, a key atmospheric element in the story, is scientifically known as "advection fog" and occurs when warm, moist air passes over the cold California current, creating the city's signature misty conditions nearly 108 days per year.