Lover

by Bertha Harris

A landmark work of lesbian literature with a reflective introduction written by the author twenty years later

Lover was first published in 1972 to tremendous critical acclaim. Emerging out of the women's and gay liberation movement alongside the early work of writers such as Rita Mae Brown and Jill Johnston, the novel features fictional and historical characters who run the gamut from saint to white trash, and who are by turn vulnerable and strong. One of the finest examples of early post-Stonewall lesbian fiction, Lover paints a fascinating mural of one of the most significant times in lesbian history.

In the introduction to this updated edition edition, Bertha Harris offers a window into the cultural and personal milieu in which she wrote. Revealing the real-life personalities behind some of the novel's characters, Harris reframes the story within its unique moment in time, and gives readers new insights into the heady post-Stonewall days. This audacious and outrageous novel is a gem of early lesbian writing, ready to be rediscovered by a new generation.

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

294 pages, Paperback

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.