Airswimming by Charlotte Jones

Set in 1920’s England, Airswimming is based on the true story of two women who have been incarcerated in a hospital for the “criminally insane,” one for having borne illegitimate children, the other for exhibiting homosexual behavior. Forgotten by their families and not released until the 1970’s, Dora and Persephone adopt alter-egos, Dorph and Porph, to enact their fantasies and survive the silence of incarceration. By turns very funny and moving, Airswimming reminds us of the forgotten women of these generations.