Gentleman Jack: The Real Anne Lister The Official Companion to the BBC Series

Sally Wainwright · Anne Choma

Apr 2019 · Random House

About this ebook

The real Anne Lister, and the official companion to the hit BBC series created by Sally Wainwright and starring Suranne Jones.

In Gentleman Jack, historian and series consultant Anne Choma draws from the explosive diaries of Anne Lister to recreate the life and times of one of the most fascinating figures of the 19th century. Anne’s remarkable diaries, partly written in a secret code, detailed her innermost thoughts on everything from sex, menstruation and money to relationships, politics and society. As Choma shows, they have opened up a previously unknown world to us.

Fearless, charismatic and determined to explore her lesbian sexuality, Anne forged her own path in a society that had no language to define her. This is the real Gentleman Jack, following Anne from her crumbling ancestral home in Yorkshire to the glittering courts of Denmark as she resolves to put past heartbreak behind her and find herself a wife. The official companion to the first series, it also features unpublished journal extracts decrypted for the first time, as well as a foreword by series creator Sally Wainwright.

Ratings and reviews

I found this book to be an enlightening read and it helped to clarify events in the series. It gave the characters extra form and colour and is a great companion piece to a most enjoyable production.

I couldn't put this book down!! I loved it x very inspiring! its given me a new confidence to be true to myself no matter the worlds judgement xx

A good companion along the series in HBO. I can understand more about the series after watching it and reading this book.

About the author

Sally Wainwright (Author)
Sally Wainwright is a BAFTA award-winning writer and director. Her shows include Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, To Walk Invisible, Scott & Bailey and At Home with the Braithwaites.

Anne Choma (Author)
Anne Choma is a writer and historical researcher, specialising in the life and times of Anne Lister. She lives in Yorkshire.