Books like Olivia by Dorothy Bussy
Set in the quiet suburbs of Paris, Olivia follows a shy English adolescent who, sent to a small finishing school for a year, finds herself drawn to her headmistress, Mlle. Julie. Through her developing affection, she observes the delicate tensions between the school’s two leading ladies, Mlle. Julie and Mlle. Cara, as the school enters a period of change. The novel examines the girl’s growing awareness of her identity and desire while exploring themes of teacher‑student relationships, sexuality, and the complexities of young womanhood. Published in 1949, Olivia is recognized as an early example of LGBTQ literature before the Stonewall era and remains celebrated for its subtle, emotional storytelling.
First publish date: June 1976
Genre: LGBTQ+ Fiction/Lesbian Fiction
Authors: Dorothy Bussy
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