George Sand: A Biography of the First Modern, Liberated Woman (Giants of the Arts)

‘A scandalous success’ — Daily Telegraph

Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, known by the pen name George Sand was one of the most popular novelists of the nineteenth century, but she was also a trailblazer for the rights of women, gender expression and sexual freedom.

The nineteenth century was an era of strict moral codes, yet George Sand could not be restricted by these. Refusing to conform to the norms of society she cut her hair short, wore men’s clothing, smoked tobacco in public, and enjoyed affairs with many of the artistic geniuses of the era from brilliant composer Chopin to the beautiful actress Marie Dorval.

What was perhaps most shocking to her contemporaries, however, was the subversive tone of her novels which flaunted her knowledge of love to the world. Such brazen writing did not stop her novels from becoming bestsellers and she was lauded by the literary and cultural elite of France.

Noel B. Gerson’s George Sand allows us to reassess the life of this hugely influential figure, a woman who should be remembered not only for her remarkable literary talents but also for how she led her life and how she continues to be a role model in the quest for gender and sexual freedom.

‘George Sand was an idea. She has a unique place in our age. Others are great men ... she was a great woman.’ Victor Hugo