Synopsis
Marion Barbara Carstairs—”Joe” to her friends—began a life of adventure soon after her birth in 1900, when a camel accident gave her the spark of inspiration to change her name to Tuffy.
Joe was an adrenaline junkie who drove an ambulance in the First World War, piloted speedboats into history as “the fastest woman on water,” flew an airplane through a hurricane, and battled crocodiles. Her love life was no less whirlwind. “I came out of the womb queer,” she said, preferring suits and ties over dresses, and enjoying affairs with Gwen Farrar, Dolly Wilde, Marlene Dietrich, and Tallulah Bankhead among countless other women. Her longest acquaintance was Tod Wadley, a doll who was her muse, companion, and reflection. With him, she governed the Caribbean island of Big Whale Cay for forty years, living her extraordinary windswept life of romance and speed through every twist and turn of the 20th century.
From: Back of the book
Notes on This Title
This is a graphic biography of gender-nonconforming person Joe Carstairs. Although Carstairs preferred masculine presentation and dress, the book emphasizes that she identified as a woman.
There is use of period-typical language to describe non-white people, as well as words and actions which suggest a belief that people of color are inferior. A gay Catholic priest who is accused of molesting minors is a supporting character.
Awards
None.
Reviews
Starred Review: “This rollicking history captures the spirit of its subject, whose motto was “Life’s too short to be bored.”” (Source: Publishers Weekly)
“The graphic novel is a treat. It’s honest in all the best ways and dishonest from a genuine place. It’s about someone who subsumed themselves into a performance without truly understanding what, exactly, she was shaping herself into.” (Source: The Beat)
“Fascinating and engaging, a complicated queer story depicted without apology.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)
Interviews
None.