Learned by Heart - Emma Donaghue

In 1805, fourteen-year-old biracial Eliza Raine arrives at the Manor School for Young Ladies in York. The illegitimate daughter of an Indian mother and a British father, Eliza was sent to England as a young girl. She has no friends until Lister, a bold and intelligent new student arrives at the school and they become roommates. The book is based on the real romantic relationship that developed between the lesbian diarist known as Gentleman Jack and her boarding school lover Eliza Raine. The well-researched story alternates between their school days and letters written by Raine ten years later, when she was a patient in asylums begging to be reunited with Lister. After finishing the book earlier this year it has been my intention to read more about these two women. Almost a year has passed so I’m finally making a note here as a reminder to do so.