The Well of Loneliness is a 1928 novel by British author Radclyffe Hall that tells the story of Stephen Gordon, an upper-class Englishwoman who struggles as a lesbian with the confines of society. After grappling with her identity from childhood and facing various unrequited loves and societal rejections, Stephen becomes a successful writer and serves as an ambulance driver during World War I, developing a complex romantic relationship with Mary Llewellyn. Themes of substance use, war trauma, and suicide are present in the narrative.

Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness is a pioneering work of LGBTQ+ literature. Praised for its courageous exploration of lesbian identity and societal challenges, the novel has been influential yet controversial. Critics commend its emotional depth and character development, though some find its pacing slow and prose overly melancholic.

Readers who appreciate LGBTQ+ themes, psychological depth, and the exploration of societal norms will enjoy Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness. Fans of Virginia Woolf's Orlando and James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room will find resonant themes of identity and belonging. Hall's novel is a pioneering work in queer literature.

Melancholic / Contemplative / Challenging / Emotional

Radclyffe Hall

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Well of Loneliness reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Well of Loneliness | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Well of Loneliness and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Well of Loneliness Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1

Book 1, Chapters 1-5

The Well of Loneliness Book 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 6-10

The Well of Loneliness Book 1, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 11-14 

The Well of Loneliness Book 1, Chapters 11-14  Summary & Analysis

Book 2

Book 2, Chapters 15-20

The Well of Loneliness Book 2, Chapters 15-20 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 21-25

The Well of Loneliness Book 2, Chapters 21-25 Summary & Analysis

Books 2-3

Books 2-3, Chapters 26-30

The Well of Loneliness Books 2-3, Chapters 26-30 Summary & Analysis

Book 3

Book 3, Chapters 31-34

The Well of Loneliness Book 3, Chapters 31-34 Summary & Analysis

Book 4

Book 4, Chapters 35-39

The Well of Loneliness Book 4, Chapters 35-39 Summary & Analysis

Book 5

Book 5, Chapters 40-45 

The Well of Loneliness Book 5, Chapters 40-45  Summary & Analysis

Book 5, Chapters 46-50

The Well of Loneliness Book 5, Chapters 46-50 Summary & Analysis

Book 5, Chapters 51-56

The Well of Loneliness Book 5, Chapters 51-56 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Well of Loneliness Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Well of Loneliness Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Well of Loneliness Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Well of Loneliness Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Well of Loneliness Essay Topics

The Well of Loneliness

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Well of Loneliness?

Reading Age

Book Details