Diana : a strange autobiography

D. Frederics

The "Author's Foreword" to this autobiography declares that, "The characters and events in this book are real." But "because of the abnormal nature of the theme, the author has made whatever changes were necessary to protect her characters' identities." Frederics emphasizes the influence of environmental factors in the "history of my emotional development," as well as her long "refusal to admit the truth of my own nature to myself" Brought up as a tomboy, Frederics discovers her Lesbianism when, as a teenager, she becomes passionately attracted to a classmate. But reading that homosexuality is a "perversion," she forces herself to avoid close relations of any nature with other women (including an unabashed Lesbian who pursues her in college). Frederics also attempts an unsuccessful trial marriage with a man. Eventually overcoming her negative self-image, Frederics develops a positive and loving intimacy with another woman.