About the book: 2005 / The fate of Herculine Barbin (1838–1868), a man who was considered a woman for twenty years, is mysterious and dramatic. Barbin's autobiographical notes are not only unique historical evidence, but also extremely fascinating reading. In France, they were prepared for publication by the famous philosopher Michel Foucault for the first part of his “Parallel Lives” series. The book is being translated into Russian for the first time. “The discussions and gossip to which this unfortunate creature fell victim are described by himself on pages that no novel can surpass. It's hard to imagine a more compelling story told so poignantly. This story might seem implausible if not for convincing evidence in the form of completely official documents.” A. Tardieu. “Forensic issues of identity and their connection with abnormal formation of genital organs».