"Aventures de l'abbé de Choisy habillé en femme" by abbé de Choisy is a memoir written in the late 17th century. The book chronicles the life and escapades of François-Timoléon de Choisy, who, notably, cross-dressed and lived much of his life as a woman, often participating in courtly intrigues and societal affairs of the time. Through his experiences, Choisy explores themes of gender, identity, and desire within the context of the French aristocracy. The opening of the memoir introduces us to the author's life as he is compelled to recapture his youthful adventures at the request of a lady friend. He reflects on his peculiar upbringing, where he was dressed as a girl from a young age, leading to his participation in theatrical performances as a woman. He recounts the joys and follies of his life, including the societal and romantic attention he received while dressed as Madame de Sancy. The narrative captures the complexities of his identity and the happiness he found in being cherished and admired as a woman, leading to a humorous yet poignant commentary on societal expectations and personal desire. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
