Olivia
Olivia by Dorothy Strachey is a classic novel published by Penguin on June 9, 2020. This edition, comprising 128 pages, presents a poignant narrative centered on a teenage girl’s infatuation with her headmistress at a boarding school in nineteenth-century Paris. The story follows Olivia, a sixteen-year-old girl sent from England to a Parisian finishing school, where she becomes captivated by her charismatic teacher, Mademoiselle Julie, who introduces her to art, literature, and fine cuisine.
Readers will discover a groundbreaking exploration of first love, as Olivia navigates the complexities of her feelings amidst jealousy and rivalry. The novel delves into themes of adolescent passion and the challenges that arise in such relationships. With its rich historical context and emotional depth, this edition of Olivia offers insights into the coming-of-age experience, making it a significant work within the LGBTQ+ literary canon.
Official synopsis Publisher
“I read Olivia many, many times, bought it for many of my friends, and consider it the inspiration for Call Me by Your Name.” –André Aciman
“Perfectly captures the breathless excitement of adolescent passion.” –Sarah Waters, bestselling author of Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet
The classic novel about a teenage girl’s infatuation with her headmistress at a boarding school in nineteenth-century Paris
A Penguin Classic
A groundbreaking, passionate, and subtle story of first love, Olivia–based loosely on the author’s own life–was first published in 1949 under a pseudonym. It tells the story of Olivia, a sixteen-year-old girl who is sent from England to a Parisian finishing school to broaden her education. Soon after her arrival, she finds herself falling under the spell of her beautiful and charismatic teacher, Mademoiselle Julie, who introduces her to art, literature, and fine cuisine. But Mademoiselle Julie’s life is not as straightforward as Olivia imagines. As they grow closer, their relationship is threatened by jealousy and rivalry, and the school year seems destined to end in tragedy.
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