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The Times Australia

Spring Fire, the first lesbian pulp fiction hit, satisfied censors with its unhappy ending – but its 'forbidden love' reflected real desires

  • Written by: Mandy Treagus, Associate Professor, Department of English, Creative Writing and Film, University of Adelaide
Spring Fire, the first lesbian pulp fiction hit, satisfied censors with its unhappy ending – but its 'forbidden love' reflected real desiresMarijane Meaker (left) and Patricia Highsmith (right).

Our cultural touchstones series looks at books that have made an impact.


In 1952, Marijane Meaker, under the pseudonym Vin Packer, had the first pulp fiction hit with a purely lesbian plot.

Spring Fire, which sold 1.5 million copies in its first print run, is set at the fictitious Cranston...

Read more: Spring Fire, the first lesbian pulp fiction hit, satisfied censors with its unhappy ending – but its...

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