Lover

by Bertha Harris

A landmark work of lesbian literature, Lover was first published in 1972 by the now-defunct feminist press, Daughters, to tremendous critical acclaim. Emerging out of the women's and gay liberation movement alongside the early work of such writers as Rita Mae Brown and Jill Johnston, the novel features fictional and historical characters who run the gamut from saint to poor white trash, and who are by turn vulnerable and strong. One of the finest examples of early post-Stonewall lesbian fiction, Lover is poised to entice a new generation of readers. In this new edition, Harris reintroduces her work, providing engaging background on the cultural and personal milieu in which it was produced and painting a scathing and witty picture of the book's original publisher. Revealing the real-life personalities behind some of the novel's characters, the introduction is an amusing retrospective sure to entertain those who remember the heady post-Stonewall days, and to enlighten younger readers.

Genres: Fiction, Lesbian, LGBT, Classics, Queer, American, Literary Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Bertha Anne Harris, M.F.A. (Women's College of University of North Carolina, 1969), was a novelist, professor at East Carolina University and at UNC Charlotte, later director of Women's Studies and Professor of Performing and Creative Arts at the College of Staten Island CUNY.

Reviews

[Dev Jannerson]

Ever wondered what Naked Lunch would have been like if it had been written by a 1970s lesbian feminist? AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO.

[Jessica C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly sexy, scary and strange. Just wish I understood it more. Im looking forward to returning to this years from now.

[Becca Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed parts of this but there was too much that i couldn’t follow. probably not smart enough to understand

[C]

Hard to grasp, dnf. I learned of Bertha Harris from an Adrienne Rich essay in which she quoted from Harris's essay "What we mean to say: Notes towards defining the nature of lesbian literature" (Heresies issue 3 p5-8 1977), in which Harris writes about lesbian literature and representing the unspeakable (lesbianism) and grasping lesbian reality. It's unfortunate I don't see that grasp and vision from her essay in this book, but others more attracted to this style of writing might like it better.

[voodoocactus]

DNF at 36% (Aug 2025)

I don't care that this is a classic. If I don't understand anything that's going on, if I'm just tracing words that have no connection to what came before or what follows, what's the point? I can give my time to a book I actually want to read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. The writing is passionate and just dreamy. Nothing is wrong with this book from the storyline to the message. It's brilliant and beautiful.

[Catherine]

lesbian feminism,Daughters Inc.