One of my most favourite books (additional copy) and *trumpet* my 200th registered book!!

Quirky biography of a fascinating oddball lady. Just had to get a copy to release at the March women's history themed Meetup. One of very few books I actively 'push' on people!

I really hope you enjoy this book (and if you don't I'll probably just block that out, haha) :D

Picked up at Brigantes Bar, Micklegate, York.

Really interesting bio. Joe / Marion Carstairs was a true larger-than-life character: drag king, playgirl/boy, speedboat racer, '20s female chauffeur and ruler of a Carribean island. I appreciate how frankly the author deals with the nature of her evidence: Joe's life is patchily documented and she had a fondness for building her own legend. The book shows its '90s vintage a bit in the pop psychoanalysis and slightly distancing references to "lesbianism".

To be relased at the York Bookcrossing Meetup; will be left in Brigantes if no-one picks it up then.

Picked up at the York Bookcrossing meetup - Joe looks fascinating!

Loved this story! Joe Carstairs is fascinating, and Joe's relationship with Lord Tod Wadley was..... bonkers!

If I'm being honest, I thought Joe's story was a bit more interesting than Summerscale's writing. I'd have liked a writer who could understand a bit more about Joe's gender and sexual identity - some of Summerscale's conclusions felt a bit pat.

Passing over to The Green Man.

Thanks Chuggypig - looking forward to reading!

I'm afraid it has been a little while since I read this - and I've only now got around to journalling it. However... I can report that it was a fantastic read. What an absolutely insane life story - wonderful, jaw-dropping stuff ! The only reason that I've given it less than the full 10/10 is because the latter part of her life was annoyingly rushed and skipped over and, from what I can gather, this is rather unjustified - as she was still interesting and active even in her later years. Other than that, a magnificent book - and credit to Kate Summerscale for bringing Carstairs' story to a wider audience (despite her decidedly dodgy cod-psychologising at certain points!). Highly recommended!

Planning to release at tomorrow evening's 'Authors-Beginning-With-K'-themed BC Meetup being held at The Brigantes in York from 7.30pm onwards... ('K' is for Kate)

releasing, as promised...

This is the fascinating story of Joe Carstairs, an eccentric woman who dressed as a man, raced motorboats, lived on her very own Caribbean island with a succession of lovers, but was far closer to her much loved doll, Lord Tod Wadley, than to any human. Highly recommended

To be taken to the January meeting of the York Bookcrossing Meetup group, in the Brigantes bar, Micklegate.

To be taken to the January meeting of the York Bookcrossing Meetup group, in the Brigantes bar, Micklegate.

Was highly recommended at the York meet up in Brigantes Bar on Micklegate last night, looking forward to reading!