Contents: List of Illustrations Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations for Works by Rachilde Introduction On Writing Biography: In which the author pays a visit to Perigueux and makes a detour to Galveston 1860, February 11 Women as Outsiders: In which Marguerite Eymery (Rachilde) is born, a werewolf appears, and traps are both set and sprung 1870, October 29 The Ambivalence of the Paternal: In which Captain Eymery is taken prisoner 1875, January or Early February The Cultural Injunction to Silence: In which Rachilde is engaged, appears to attempt suicide, and meets a ghost who delivers an important message 1876, March 1 Woman as Medium: In which seances are held, Madame Eymery meets "Rachilde," and doubles mysteriously appear 1877, June 23 Authority, Authorship, and Authorization: In which Rachilde publishes her first story and Victor Hugo authorizes her 1884, May-July The Politics of Publishing: In which Monsieur Venus is published and the French police take an interest in Rachilde 1884, December 12 Writing as Cross-Dressing: In which Rachilde applies for permission to cross-dress and become a writer 1885, A Thursday in March Marriage and the Woman Writer: In which Rachilde meets Alfred Vallette and marries him, despite some second thoughts 1887, February 26 (A Saturday) The Photograph Never Lies: In which a front page brings attention to Rachilde's hair 1889, October 25 The Cultural Legitimacy of the Woman Writer: In which Rachilde's daughter is born and questions are raised about legitimacy 1890, November 10 Imagining the Self: In which Rachilde's first play is performed and some mirrors are looked into 1894, A Tuesday Male Anxiety at the Fin de Siecle: In which Rachilde, cupbearer to the symbolist gods, meets Alfred Jarry 1900, December 10 Women and Education: In which Rachilde's mother is admitted to the asylum of Charenton and some deficiencies in Rachilde's education become apparent 1925, July 2 Women and Surrealism: In which Rachilde gets into a bun fight 1928, June Gender Anxiety in French Modernism: In which Le Prisonnier is published and Rachilde acts rather queerly 1953, April 4 On Minding: In which Rachilde is reunited with Lison Notes Bibliography Index