George Sand: A Biography of the First Modern, Liberated Woman

by Noel B. Gerson

‘A scandalous success’ — Daily Telegraph Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, known by the pen name George Sand was one of the most popular novelists of the nineteenth century, but she was also a trailblazer for the rights of women, gender expression and sexual freedom.

The nineteenth century was an era of strict moral codes, yet George Sand could not be restricted by these. Refusing to conform to the norms of society she cut her hair short, wore men’s clothing, smoked tobacco in public, and enjoyed affairs with many of the artistic geniuses of the era from brilliant composer Chopin to the beautiful actress Marie Dorval.

What was perhaps most shocking to her contemporaries, however, was the subversive tone of her novels which flaunted her knowledge of love to the world. Such brazen writing did not stop her novels from becoming bestsellers and she was lauded by the literary and cultural elite of France.

Noel B. Gerson’s George Sand allows us to reassess the life of this hugely influential figure, a woman who should be remembered not only for her remarkable literary talents but also for how she led her life and how she continues to be a role model in the quest for gender and sexual freedom.

‘George Sand was an idea. She has a unique place in our age. Others are great men ... she was a great woman.’ Victor Hugo

Genres: Nonfiction

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Noel Bertram Gerson (1913-1988) was an American author who wrote 325 books, including several best sellers, among them two screenplay novelizations penned under the pseudonym Samuel Edwards, The Naked Maja, and 55 Days at Peking.

Aside from "Samuel Edwards", which would seem to have been his dedicated by-line for tie-in work, Gerson used the following nine pseudonyms in addition to his own name: Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Dana Fuller Ross; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan.

Reviews

[Jacksoncutter]

I had to stop reading this book pretty quick. i havent ever read any of George Sand's books or anything else about her ( my mum gave me this book to read, im guessing cos the blurb says its about a female writer who wore mens clothing and had afairs with lots of people of various genders) but this dude spends alot of time aknowledging her achievements and admitting she was a total gender fucker and sexually 'liberated' in the face of so much opression.... but really he hates her and then goes on to assert how really these behaviours were atually incredibly feminine. you can tell he was fully threateded by what she represents.. yet is somehow obsessed..

[Elizabeth]

thanks for the book, Amy