Expertly blending her subjects' own words with richly imagined and vigorously researched moments from recorded archives and other fragments, Possanza weaves together a vivid narrative around the construction of lesbianism. She takes us with her as she uncovers each lesbian's story, yearning and longing alongside them and growing into her own queerness.

This is a celebration of women who love women - sapphics - and a paean to those who have long existed outside of traditional definitions of sexuality and gender, defying the confines of heteronormativity.

Each of the lesbians in this collection moved through the world in their own way and helped the world. Their stories illuminate a forgotten and demonised history and show us all a new way to understand what love means when there is nothing material to be gained.