Moll Cutpurse: her true story

by Ellen Galford

Delightful lesbian romp. Novel based on the life of the "feminist Robin Hood" in Elizabethan England.

Genres: LGBT, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Queer, Lesbian, Lesbian Fiction, Gay

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Ellen Galford is a Scottish writer of fiction and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Dorothea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The full description on the back cover says: "This delightful lesbian romp set in Elizabethan England captures the adventures of Moll Cutpurse, a swashbuckling heroine, upholder of the rights of women, as she pits her wits against Puritans and tricksters, travels with the gypsies, rescues a near-victim of the anti-witchcraft hysteria, and cheats the wealthy out of their ill-gotten gains -- with help from her lifelong friend and lover, Bridget, the apothecary."

This is a good description; the only error is that it's mostly not set in Elizabethan England -- the Queen dies early on in the story and then of course it's Jacobean (with a late allusion to the Civil War and the Protectorate).

Bridget the apothecary is in fact the narrator, which is good because she's a bit more sensible than Moll and can interrupt the swashbuckling with more practical details. There is still a lot of swashbuckling, don't worry.

I'm not sure what pleases me more about this book -- that it's based on a real (though also legendary) person -- that Galford is clearly very familiar with the period, down to the taste of the language (she used only one word that struck me as being possibly anachronistic -- "suburb" -- but my etymological dictionary assures me it dates to the 14th century) -- or that it manages to be constantly exciting and funny even as the characters discuss and deal with the serious issues of sexism, poverty, etc.

This book has the best fart jokes I've ever read, too.

Moll does in fact travel with the gypsies, and I'd like to know whether this passage is done well -- I am guessing yes, but I don't know enough to be certain.

The one thing that did trouble me is the problem that introduces Moll -- she visits the apothecary because she wants to buy a cure that will turn her into a man, since she never wants to do anything that's supposed to be appropriate to women. Bridget of course cures her by pointing out that it's patriarchy, not essential gender, that causes these frustrations, and by demonstrating that one needn't be a man to have sex with a woman. This is all perfectly believable; I'm just a little bothered that the possibility of Moll's being a trans man is not considered at all, although I'm not sure I have any right to expect that from a book published in 1985.

P.S. I forgot about the cameo appearance of Judith Shakespeare. When I realized what I was about to read I nearly cried. <3

[Nicolas Chinardet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Frith, AKA Moll Cutpurse, is a real historical figure, who seems to have a lived a long, eventful and colourful life. The book is a fictionalisation of various episodes culled from a number of contemporary sources as allegedly being from her life.

As such the narrative, set in London, in the first half of the 17th century, has the old-fashioned structure of an early novel, in that it reads as a series of tales loosely knitted together in the wider story of Moll's relationship with Bridget, an apothecary and the narrator of the book.

It is a lighthearted yarn of daredevilry that stands out mostly because of its gender-bending, lesbian, lovable rogue of a protagonist, and the feminist politics in evidence throughout. It is entertaining but sadly it somehow falls a little flat and lacks the spark that would make it a really good book, which is a shame.

[Rosamund Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I only gave this three stars, I would recommend it. It's a sprawling romp set in Elizabethan England, about the historical figure Mary Frith, known as Moll or the Roaring Girl. Told in various voices, the novel centres around Bridget, Moll's lover and companion. It's a very picaresque novel, full of incident, with limited characterisation or plot. It's very entertaining to read, and the incidents and motivations feel authentically Elizabethan. At times, it felt like it could have been a much longer book, because more time was needed to characterize Moll, Bridget, and the other major characters. The relationship between Moll and Bridget is also established very quickly, and I feel there should have been more emotional development. But that being said, this is tremendous fun to read, and it's wonderful to find a lesbian romance set in this period.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining & informative read as the author undoubtedly did her research. Set in primarily, Jacobean England we are introduced to two strong women. One, the daughter of an herbalist who generally handles all the business including the gathering of the herbs, the preparation of product etc., as Dad is fixated on his research. The other Moll Cutpurse, aka Mary Frith. A young woman who preferred a life on her own terms and who had both the brains and the ambition to excel at it. Thoroughly enjoyable & perfectly apropos for LGBTQI+ Pride month.

[Heather Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The historic Moll Cutpurse was a gender-bending rogue of some notoriety and celebrity in early 17th century England. A semi-fictionalized biographical play written about her at the time gives her a reputation for loving the ladies. Galford’s novel takes this reputation and runs with it, giving Moll a series of swashbuckling adventures and near-escapes from the law, in the company of her partner and lover, Bridget the apothecary.

Galford is a supreme wordsmith and makes both the setting and the characters come alive. Her mastery of the history and culture of the London underworld around the time of Elizabeth I’s death gives this story a weight and depth beyond a simple tale of adventure or romance (and although there is a romantic element, the story is not a romance in structure).

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Before reading this book, I had never heard of Moll Cutpurse. And now, after learning more about her, it’s hard to believe she isn’t a work of fiction! In this book Moll is … well, she’s larger than life. As a young girl, her family wanted her to be a dutiful daughter; Moll wanted to be a boy. She wanted the freedom, the strength, the ability to make her own choices without having to bow her head to a father, an uncle, or a husband. She spins stories like Rumpelstiltskin spins straw into gold, with the same careless flamboyance and mischievous, lying smile. It doesn’t matter if it’s the truth, it only matters if it’s a good story. She smokes, she wears trousers, she gambles and gallivants, and if there’s trouble to be found, you’ll find Moll neck deep in it.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[jules revel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun tale of adventure. Fictional rendering of gender bending/ puritan fighting Mary Frith 1580s-1659.

[Mills College Library]

Fiction G155m 1985

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a joyful romp through Ellen Galford's interpretation of Moll's life, loves and death. Funny and moving, with women centre stage throughout. Magnificent.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book in the first list of LG (no B or T then) literature that the library produced in the early 80s. I thought it sounded like lots of fun. I'd heard of the Roaring Girl from a recent production that the RSC did which looked amazing but I didn't manage to see. I was impressed with the quality of writing in this book, however I found it a little bland. I was expecting a tail of mischievous adventure. I wanted a but more of a larger than life heroine. I was hoping for more action when most of the book was women sitting around quietly and telling each other stories (of which there was a great deal of injustice and very little actual adventure or crime). Likewise there wasn't much of a romance between the main character and Moll. They met, the apothecary decided she liked her, they got together and that was it. No romance or conflict really (though they had a fight or two). It did really highlight the gender inequality of the time and the dangers for women. I was just really hoping for more of a "romp" with a great deal more swashbuckling.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this old Virago paperback up in the excellent Amnesty Bookshop in York, always a good source of random semi-forgotten books of the 60s, 70s and 80s. It's a picaresque feminist retelling of the criminal exploits of a real woman, Mary Frith, whose life spanned the end of the Elizabethan era and the reigns of most of the Stuarts. She was the original inspiration for Middleton and Dekker's play The Roaring Girl and theatre types loom large in this version of the tale, including a certain Mr Shakespeare and his larger than life sister. The recreation of the era is effective, particularly the lives of ordinary women and the creeping influence of Puritanism. A quick but satisfying read.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd refer to this book as semi-adult in content as it does deal with some adult themes. However, it does so in a very tasteful manner and certainly doesn't give the same graphics as a "typical" romance novel.

The book is set in Elizabethan England and tells the story of Mary Frith, the real life Moll Cutpurse. She was the heroine of a comedic play, The Roaring Girl and well known as a pickpocket, thief and sometimes fortune teller. The book chronicles her life in what may or may not be accurate, but what is certainly an engaging story.

[Socket Klatzker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went through a phase in the mid-late 90's of reading as many books The Boston Public Library had of titles that came out on Firebrand. Mostly those books were coming out stories, about being a survivor, or lesbian love stories. This one was fun and different. Light-hearted and pervy-er. Some would call it a romp even. I loved the story; a cross-dressing. gender-bending, queer kinda randy, fun-loving Robin Hood tale.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was highly entertaining. It is an imagined life of a real person born in 1580. The story is mostly told from Bridgett's (Moll Cutpurse's companion of 30 years) point of view. There are many stories told in this novel. All very satisfying. Just flawless simple storytelling. The last line left me with a smile. Moll lived her life the way she wanted, passionately, with a love of drink and players (actors)and her special woman, and she was loved by many. Who could ask for more?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grand little book; I enjoyed it all the way through and wished for much more besides. Written in a confident voice that keeps its 17th century tone (which, I have learned over and over again, is no mean feat in a historical fiction). Shot through with romance and adventure and reality, but no excesses. It reads like a true memoir of past times, and in so doing handily keeps to its purpose. More please!

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another selection from my mom's bookshelf that I read when I was 10 ot 11. I liked this one so much I re-read it several times.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rad myth re-creating story of a lesbian thief-hero set in late 1500's England. Based on a real historical figure, this novel is fun.

[Dane Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Should read it again 20 years later and update my opinion!

20 years later. I like the flow of the tale. The herstory is true too. The way women were treated was shit.

[Jacqueline]

the lesbian couple adopted a mastiff and named it Baby so really what has changed