The Lieutenant Nun

Catalina d'Erauso

Aug 10, 2007 Sarah Dion-Marquis

A historical novel about the extraordinary life of a 17th century girl who transforms the course of her life by changing her gender.

Known as the 'Lieutenant-Nun', Catalina d'Erauso was born in San Sebastian in the Basque country in Spain. The young girl shows unusual devotion to her decade-older brother, Miguel, who delivered her as a baby. One day, her brother sets out to South America to administer the family's New World silver mines in Potosi, Bolivia. As a girl, Catalina knows that she will separate from him forever. Eight-year old Catalina wishes to follow him. However, Catalina does not accept her faith passively.

In her despair she enters a convent by pretending religious devotion. She thinks that earning an education is the only way for her to pursue Miguel in the New World. At the age of 16, she suddenly escapes the convent. Catalina immediately cuts her hair, dresses in men's clothing and changes her voice and her attitude. She assumes the identity of a man and transforms the course of her life. Catalina d'Erauso transformed herself into a man : Francisco Loyola.

She meets with Juan Bautista de Arteaga, a handsome and young doctor, who is also taking care of his ill mother. She will work as his assistant. Together, they eventually embark out for the New World. The transvestite Catalina and her compatriot Juan will enter a quest to pursue Catalina's brother in the New World.

Will Catalina be able to track down her brother Miguel in the New World? Will he recognize his sister disguised into Francisco Loyola?

The extraordinary life of Catalina d'Erauso in print

Markus Orths published a historical novel based on the extraordinary life of Catalina d'Erauso. Helen Atkins translated the novel from the original German.

The English translation: Markus Orths, Catalina. The Toby Press: 2006.

The original version in German: Markus Orths, Catalina. Schöffling & Co., 2005.

A promising author

Markus Orths was born in Germany in 1969. He studied philosophy, English and French literature. He currently lives in Karlsruhe, Germany. He works as a freelance writer and he has published short stories and novels, for which he has received various prizes. In 2000 he won one of the most prestigious literary contest for young writers, the Berlin "Open Mike". His novel Lehrerzimmer (Staff Room in its English translation) is a bestseller.

The copyright of the article The Lieutenant Nun in American Fiction is owned by Sarah Dion-Marquis. Permission to republish The Lieutenant Nun in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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