An Anglo-American Alliance: A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future

Gregory Casparian (1856 - 1942)

Described by io9 as “the first lesbian science fiction novel,” An Anglo-American Alliance is a quasi-farcical tale of love, transformation, and geopolitics set in the far-flung futuristic year of 1960. In it, the titular Anglo-American Alliance has established itself as the world government, ushering in new age of technological and social revolution. However, even in this halcyon period, the “love that dare not speak its name” remains an anathema. The novel’s central narrative follows the long-burgeoning but secret romance between two women at a ladies’ seminary school in Cornwall: Margaret MacDonald and Aurora Cunningham. Throughout this tale, we follow their trials and tribulations as they grapple with secret longings and learn how to harness the powers of science and technology to make their dreams come true.

Note: Despite its fairly progressive views on sexuality and gender identity, this novel is nevertheless a byproduct of the period in which it was written. It contains unfortunate moments of ethnocentrism, antisemitism, and casual racism that might offend certain listeners. - Summary by ChuckW

Genre(s): Science Fiction

Language: English

Keyword(s): romance (1045), satire (289), boarding school (32), lgbt (12), lesbian fiction (2), transgender fiction (2), lgbt fiction (2), utopian literature (1)

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Foreword Chuck Williamson
00:05:53
Play 01 I. The Young Ladies’ Seminary Chuck Williamson
00:14:05
Play 02 II. The Initiation Chuck Williamson
00:11:13
Play 03 III. The Moonlight Soirée Chuck Williamson
00:14:14
Play 04 IV. Historical Events of the 20th Century Chuck Williamson
00:35:25
Play 05 V. The Fistic Duel Chuck Williamson
00:11:57
Play 06 VI. Historical Events of the 20th Century (Concluded) Chuck Williamson
00:24:17
Play 07 VII. The Regatta Chuck Williamson
00:09:40
Play 08 VIII. Dr. Hyder Ben Raaba Chuck Williamson
00:11:23
Play 09 IX. A Ray of Hope Chuck Williamson
00:10:02
Play 10 X. The Transformation Chuck Williamson
00:08:38
Play 11 XI. Lord Cunningham, Viceroy of India Chuck Williamson
00:05:37
Play 12 XII. Adventures of Abou Shimshek, the Astronomer of Ispahan Chuck Williamson
00:23:19
Play 13 XIII. Spencer Hamilton + Postscript Chuck Williamson
00:12:23