New Graphic Novel Explores Why Gertrude Stein Remains Overlooked

A new graphic novel, 'Gertrude Stein e la generazione perduta' by Valentina Grande and Eva Rossetti, published by Centauria on October 20, 2022, examines why Gertrude Stein is remembered more as a host and patron than for her literary work. The book follows their previous feminist art graphic novel. Stein, born in Allegheny City in 1874 to a wealthy German-Jewish family, moved to Paris in 1903 and lived with Alice Toklas until her death in 1946. The comic addresses Stein's lesbianism as a factor in her marginalization, citing philosopher Monique Wittig. Grande notes Stein remains controversial within the LGBTQ+ community due to misogynistic and antisemitic statements. The narrative uses a fictional male narrator to challenge gender expectations around genius.