Strange Sisters: The Art of Lesbian Pulp Fiction 1949-1969

By Jaye Zimet

The classic pulps were detective stories, horror, fantasy, and science fiction, but in the midst of this melange developed a significant subcategory of lurid, titillating tales of lesbian love. Aimed primarily at a heterosexual audience they offered readers a glimpse into a secret world of illicit passion and scandalous sex between delicious and devilish dames. This book is the first to be devoted to the cover art of these wildly wicked novels. Bold, kitschy, colourful, they are fraught with sexual tension. Includes 200 full colour illustrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140284028
• ISBN13: 9780140284027
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Studio
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

no matter what your persuasion...

As a straight male and a pulp/paperback enthusiast, I approached this book curiously, wondering if I was really its "intended audience." I didn't know whether the book had some hidden agenda. After a look, I see that it's a real gem and no political manifesto. This is a great exposition of the illustrators who (at least then) toiled in anonimity, creating this wonderfully evocative art. The art reproductions are excellent, with interesting text. I recommend.

A marvelous collection of scandalous cover art

I was really intrigued by "Strange Sisters: The Art of Lesbian Pulp Fiction 1949-1969," by Jaye Zimet. The book also features a foreword by writer Ann Bannon. The book is basically a collection of full color reproductions of the cover art of lesbian-themed books.Pictured is the art from books with titles like "Women's Barracks," "Women in Prison," "Reform School Girls," "Warped Women," and "By Love Depraved." There is a gallery of art from Bannon's historically significant books, as well as a gallery of covers from different editions of "The Well of Loneliness" (the mother of all lesbian novels). The cover art is often titillating, often outrageous; there are occasional hints of violence and some really poignant images. A fascinating historical collection of images of lesbianism in popular culture.

Cleavage! Cleavage! Cleavage!

The 50s and 60s strapped women into undergear that created cleavage only since surpassed by Xena. This collection features covers from lesbian pulp fiction of that era and the cleavage is eye-popping! It's delightful to thumb through, a real blast from the past to read. Aside from the cover art is the copy from the covers. Phrases like "The Savage Novel of a Lesbian on the Loose" and "Blunt revelations of what happens when deviate women seek advancement in the business world" and "His new girl-wife was a vibrant, virgin beauty...and a sensual, shrewd, licentious lesbian!"Then there's the pure trash ... titles like "Satan was a lesbian" and "Man Hater" with covers so campy they made me laugh. All in all, this a really fun book and quite a conversation piece!

A Must Have For Paperback Book Collector

This is an excellent reference book for collectors of lesbiana, general paperback collectors, and book dealers. Practically every lesbian pb printed in the 50s and 60s is shown. The only problem: if you are a collector you may die of envy, since the author owns all the titles!

A wonderful treat, from cover to cover

This collection of lesbian inspired art for 1950's and 60's magazines that were mostly read by men is sometimes kitchy, at times sleazy and most often quite funny. It is greatly enhanced by the author's knowledgeable and witty comments, and the vivid color makes the art jump out of the page. Looking though this book it is easy to see where men get their lesbian fantasies from: their father's old pulp stories. I recommend this book as the ultimate table book, on its title alone it is guaranteed to be picked up.