The Unlit Lamp

In my own recent coming out experience, I've been soaking up lesbian literature. This book is helping me move from married to divorced. The story brings the reader painfully, achingly along with the protagonist, as all of her potential (vibrant physical health, powerful intellect, passion) is slowly killed off. Lacking any socially-approved way to leave her stultifying life, she slowly withers, while the reader witnesses it. Painful, yes, but inspirational as well. I do not want to wither on the vine.

The Unlit Lamp has long remained hidden while Hall's lesser work, The Well of Loneliness, has gained a cult fame in lesbian circles. What a shame that this book should be so under-read. It's an excruciating story, in many ways, but told with such an intensely controlled fury that one is left in no doubt as to Hall's own rage over the huge personal losses incurred by prejudice.