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The Jealous and The Free
Compelling desires… forbidden desires… undeniable desires…
The Jealous and the Free, a classic lesbian pulp novel from March Hastings, follows the relationship between Michele and Leda. As our story begins, Leda and Michele have been roommates for quite some time. Michele comes to realize that she is attracted to Leda, but her inexperience makes her shy and hesitant at first. Leda, who has had experience with women in the past, takes her by the hand and shows her the way. Michele decides she must be butch for Leda, however she is still finding her way as a butch lesbian… and her insecurities soon cause trouble in their relationship. Michele becomes more controlling and possessive, insisting that Leda spend less time at dance school and with her friends. When Leda refuses, Michele storms out… and into the arms of Corrine -- an older, wealthy woman. Michele becomes attracted to Corrine’s attraction for her, but she secretly longs for Leda and realizes there’s only one way to get her back. The question is… will she be able to do it?
She had not dared admit even to herself, before now, they were reaching the boiling point. Michele lay very still as she sensed Leda's foot moving and then felt the touch of a warm toe against her ankle, Leda's palm on her shoulder, Leda's warm breath caressing her earlobe as she whispered, "Darling, I only want what's good for you."
Michele raised herself up on one elbow. "I love you," she said hoarsely. Slowly, cautiously, afraid the girl might still reject her, she lowered her body onto Leda's.
Leda's arms tightened around her. "Touch me... oh, oh, touch me" she moaned.
The world suddenly exploded into a fantasy beyond all dreams. Michele had never touched a woman before, had hardly even allowed herself to think of it. But the instinct of desire hurried steadily, surely, toward the ways of fulfillment.
The Jealous and the Free, a classic lesbian pulp novel from March Hastings, follows the relationship between Michele and Leda. As our story begins, Leda and Michele have been roommates for quite some time. Michele comes to realize that she is attracted to Leda, but her inexperience makes her shy and hesitant at first. Leda, who has had experience with women in the past, takes her by the hand and shows her the way. Michele decides she must be butch for Leda, however she is still finding her way as a butch lesbian… and her insecurities soon cause trouble in their relationship. Michele becomes more controlling and possessive, insisting that Leda spend less time at dance school and with her friends. When Leda refuses, Michele storms out… and into the arms of Corrine -- an older, wealthy woman. Michele becomes attracted to Corrine’s attraction for her, but she secretly longs for Leda and realizes there’s only one way to get her back. The question is… will she be able to do it?
She had not dared admit even to herself, before now, they were reaching the boiling point. Michele lay very still as she sensed Leda's foot moving and then felt the touch of a warm toe against her ankle, Leda's palm on her shoulder, Leda's warm breath caressing her earlobe as she whispered, "Darling, I only want what's good for you."
Michele raised herself up on one elbow. "I love you," she said hoarsely. Slowly, cautiously, afraid the girl might still reject her, she lowered her body onto Leda's.
Leda's arms tightened around her. "Touch me... oh, oh, touch me" she moaned.
The world suddenly exploded into a fantasy beyond all dreams. Michele had never touched a woman before, had hardly even allowed herself to think of it. But the instinct of desire hurried steadily, surely, toward the ways of fulfillment.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1961
1 person is currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
March Hastings
80 books13 followersWriting in New York City in the 1950s and 60s, March Hastings, a pseudonym of Sally Singer, was one of the most prolific authors of the lesbian pulp era. She now lives in Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 2, 2021
I feel like an odd, curious hipster trying out an odd book. Which I am, just hampered by a pervasive virus quarantine, but still. A fun lively read. Thank you March Hastings contributors.
March 8, 2018
I have to say first that I prepared to read this book as a joke. I've seen many book covers for lesbian pulp stories and the hypersexualization of the pictures made me think the stories will be smut too.
This is the first lesbian pulp novel i read and it was not at all what i expected. There was sex but it wasn't described as violent, perverted or even unnatural (that's what i expected from a 50's book). It's a human story about ordinary people. The story builds up to something and doesn't gawk at these lesbians like they're some weird animals. The main character annoyed me but she was very human. I could feel that she tried to do her best in an unfamiliar situation.
First half of the story was a bit repetetive, otherwise quite enjoyable. I would recommend it or another of March Hastings' books. After reading the description for a couple of other of her books it seems they're quite similar.
This is the first lesbian pulp novel i read and it was not at all what i expected. There was sex but it wasn't described as violent, perverted or even unnatural (that's what i expected from a 50's book). It's a human story about ordinary people. The story builds up to something and doesn't gawk at these lesbians like they're some weird animals. The main character annoyed me but she was very human. I could feel that she tried to do her best in an unfamiliar situation.
First half of the story was a bit repetetive, otherwise quite enjoyable. I would recommend it or another of March Hastings' books. After reading the description for a couple of other of her books it seems they're quite similar.
November 3, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down
☕️🐕💻👔🥂
i mainly read this for the novelty of reading a lesbian pulp novel from the mid 20th century, but it was just about the same as modern romances. michele, the main character, can be very annoying though. she’s extremely controlling, going so far as to ask her girlfriend, leda, to give up school and her career to be a housewife. lots of strangely heteronormative stuff like that. the real kicker though is that michele is unemployed and directionless while asking that of leda. michele is also convinced that leda is unfaithful, despite michele being the one going out and sleeping with other women. it’s only when they break up for some time and michele enters a relationship where she is treated the way she asked leda to accept being treated by her, that she sees there’s a difference between love and greed. overall an interesting novel with some lovely fade-to-black moments of intimacy and a good conclusion regarding finding your place in a community
☕️🐕💻👔🥂
i mainly read this for the novelty of reading a lesbian pulp novel from the mid 20th century, but it was just about the same as modern romances. michele, the main character, can be very annoying though. she’s extremely controlling, going so far as to ask her girlfriend, leda, to give up school and her career to be a housewife. lots of strangely heteronormative stuff like that. the real kicker though is that michele is unemployed and directionless while asking that of leda. michele is also convinced that leda is unfaithful, despite michele being the one going out and sleeping with other women. it’s only when they break up for some time and michele enters a relationship where she is treated the way she asked leda to accept being treated by her, that she sees there’s a difference between love and greed. overall an interesting novel with some lovely fade-to-black moments of intimacy and a good conclusion regarding finding your place in a community
July 17, 2021
I knew going into this that it was a 1950s pulp. I also knew that it had a happy ending (it did! A rarity! A gem for it’s time). And it’s written by a lesbian
I think that perhaps if I knew exactly the contents of the book I might not have added it to my goodreads list! Haha. I figured that it would have the period typical issues and it did, but it was still a bit much in places (and simultaneously not quite enough). Quick read. Nothing that makes you think too hard. You can finish it within an hour or so if you’re curious.
I think that perhaps if I knew exactly the contents of the book I might not have added it to my goodreads list! Haha. I figured that it would have the period typical issues and it did, but it was still a bit much in places (and simultaneously not quite enough). Quick read. Nothing that makes you think too hard. You can finish it within an hour or so if you’re curious.
August 3, 2018
I’m never going to put like the really bad pulps I’ve read on my GoodReads but this was like. So good and fun (and clearly written by a lesbian, for lesbians)!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews