The Well of Loneliness
Publicity over "The Well of Loneliness"s legal battles increased the visibility of lesbians in British and American culture. For decades it was the best-known lesbian novel in English, and often the first source of information about lesbianism that young people could find. Some readers have valued it, while others have criticised it for Stephen's expressions of self-hatred, and viewed it as inspiring shame. Although critics differ as to the value of "The Well of Loneliness" as a work of literature, its treatment of sexuality and gender continues to inspire study and debate.