(Untitled)

[bookelfe]

rymenhild asked me for my top five feisty cross-dressed girls, because Rym knows me very well and is aware that I collect cross-dressed girl narratives like some people collect stamps. Which, again, makes these decisions very difficult!

Comments

[nevacaruso]

Yay for Rosalind, Mulan, and Alanna! Naturally, I would also add Tenjou Utena to the list.

[bookelfe]

The only reason I was able to eliminate Utena from this list with a clear conscience is that I will be talking about the show in several other Top Fives . . . and also, now that I have gotten, uh, some very close experience with Utena's outfit over these past few weeks for cosplaying purposes, I can firmly say that however she may think of it, that is not a boy's uniform.

[gramarye1971]

I'd assumed that you didn't include Utena in this list because she doesn't really actively try to pass herself off as a boy, Japanese pronouns and talk of princes notwithstanding. Even in the movie, where she has close-cropped hair and clearly is wearing the male student's school uniform -- when Saionji is shocked during the duel after he finds out that the new student is a girl, Utena snaps back, 'I never said I was a guy.' So Utena's not quite on the same level with, say, Oscar from Rose of Versailles, who definitely does cross-dress and was effectively raised as a guy (though even Oscar is pretty open about being female).

Or at least that was my train of thought. ^^;;

[bookelfe]

That is the other reason! Although - well, I could justify including her, I think, based just on the Japanese pronouns, now that I have a better idea of just how masculine they are. But yeah, she never actually does try to pass; her mantra is always "I'm just a totally normal girl! :D" You keep on telling yourself that, Utena.

I really do need to watch Rose of Versailles.

[redbeardjim]

Tossing in a vote here for Eowyn/Dernhelm, from [i]Lord of the Rings[/i]. It was a temporary disguise thing, but she's an awesome badass regardless.

[bookelfe]

Eowyn was probably my very first crossdressed lady, and I suspect is one of the reasons I fell for the trope so hard. She's so incredibly awesome! The only reason she's not on this list is because I already put her on my Badass Ladies list. (And because 'feisty' is probably not the right adjective for her.)

[indy_go]

Have you read Spindle's End? Rosie isn't exactly a cross-dresser, but is definitely disdainful of all the normal trappings of girlishness. It's an integral part of her ability to hide from Pernicia, who's after someone she expects to be a Pretty Pretty Princess. Anyway. It's a lovely story.

[bookelfe]

I have read it, but it was many many years ago and I've sort of forgotten which bits belong to Spindle's End and which to Beauty and which to Rose Daughter. Which clearly means I need to reread all three! :D

[indy_go]

I know, Robin McKinley's fairy tale adaptations tend to run together for me too. I remember reading Beauty and not liking it as much. Haven't read Rose Daughter, though. Will have to put it on the list.

[bookelfe]

I thiiink I liked Rose Daughter more than Beauty, but . . . given the givens, that may be a total lie. *sheepish* Usually I can remember which Robin McKinley is which! It's just the fairy tale ones that confuse me. (As opposed to Patricia McKillip, whose books I can never remember anything about after reading them.)

[remindmeofthe]

Charlotte Doyle! She doesn't actually try to pass as male, but giving up her proper lady's attire for a sailor's outfit is how she rejects her "responsibility" to take the corrupt captain's side in the face of his cruel treatment of his crew. Instead she takes the crew's side and joins them, putting herself in a dangerous situation that she could escape from simply by resuming her position as lady passenger, but she won't do it. She risks being hanged as Mister Doyle rather than betray her morals by becoming Miss Doyle again. It isn't about gender fluidity so much as it is about doing the right thing, but it's also about a sheltered girl who becomes someone she never could have dreamed possible, and she starts the journey by changing one set of clothes for another. This was one of my favorite books when I was younger and just talking about it makes me want to read it again.

[bookelfe]

Oh man, I've been meaning to read Charlotte Doyle for years, ever since jothra brought her into Milliways. Thanks for reminding me to push it up my list!

[peroxidepirate]

Seconding this rec! Charlotte Doyle was my very first femininity-shunning seafaring love.

[aamalie]

I just have to stop here and express how much I love all of Avi's books! He was one of my favorite authors growing up and my copy of Charlotte Doyle is totally signed. ♥

[themadpoker]

-finally delurks because crossdressing girls are my absolute favourite thing-

Corinna from The Folk Keeper and Eun Chan from Coffee Prince are both pretty great. I also have a neverending love for Sarasa from Basara.

Also your post has finally talked me into watching Robin Hood when several instances of seeing my flist talk about it couldn't. =DDD Someone should have mentioned to me there was a crossdressing girl!

And umm hi. I've been lurking around enjoying your book reviews for awhile (ever since I found your Demon's Covenant review after I searched through the Internet when I finished), would you mind if I friended you? You have great taste in books, my to read list has increased exponentially ever since I found your lj.

[bookelfe]

I keep seeing excellent things about The Folk Keeper, so I am thinking I should put it on my list! I have seen Coffee Prince and I do kind of love Eun Chan, who gets bonus points for being one of the most legitimately convincing girls to play a guy on TV . . . which is extra impressive given what Yoon Eun Hye usually looks like.

Hahaha, I'm not sure I would actually recommend Robin Hood, though it is totally lolarious. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes . . . less intentionally. But Djaq is really legitimately awesome. When they remember to give her lines.

And man, way to stroke my ego! I would in no way mind, I always love having more people around here to talk about books with. :D

[elspeth_vimes]

CORINNA.

...sorry I get carried away when I encounter people who know The Folk Keeper and who I haven't read it to.

[themadpoker]

Don't worry about it, I do the same everytime I find someone who's read Catherynne Valente's The Orphan's Tales. =D Nice icon!