Women’s Writing in Nineteenth-Century France

This is the most complete critical survey to date of women’s literature in nineteenth-century France. Alison Finch’s wide-ranging analysis of some 60 writers reflects the rich diversity of a century that begins with Mme de Staël’s cosmopolitanism and ends with Rachilde’s perverse eroticism. Finch’s study brings out the contribution not only of major figures like George Sand but also of many other talented and important writers who have been unjustly rejected, including Flora Tristan, Claire de Duras and Delphine de Girardin. Her account opens new perspectives on the interchange between male and female authors and on women’s literary traditions during the period. She discusses popular and serious writing: fiction, verse, drama, memoirs, journalism, feminist polemic, historiography, travelogues, children’s tales, religious and political thought - often brave, innovative texts linked to women’s social and legal status in an oppressive society. Extensive reference features include bibliographical guides to texts and writers.

• Fullest critical survey to date of women’s writing in nineteenth century France, covering 60 authors (90 in the appendices) • Extensive reference features will be invaluable to students and scholars • Finch is a major figure in French studies in the UK. She is author and co-editor of two highly regarded CUP titles

Acknowledgements; 1. Prejudice and reassessment; 2. Conditions for women writers; Part I. The Early Nineteenth Century: The Age of Napoleon and the Aftermath of Revolution (1800–1829): 3. Overview, 1800–1829; 4. Foremothers and Germaine de Staël; 5. Writing about history: Henriette de La Tour du Pin; 6. Mad matriarchs and other family members: Sophie Cottin; 7. Rank and disadvantage: Claire de Duras; 8. The invisible women of French theatre; Part II. Mid-century: George Sand and her Contemporaries (1830–1869): 9. Overview, 1830–1869; 10. George Sand, presiding genius; 11. Confidence and the woman writer: Amable Tastu and Sophie Ulliac-Trémadeure; 12. Shame, embarrassment and Sophie’s misfortunes: the comtesse de Ségur; 13. Adventure and travel: Léonie d’Aunet and Flora Tristan; 14. The journalist: Delphine de Girardin; 15. Feeling and poetic technique: Marceline Desbordes-Valmore; 16. Women and politics; Part III. Naturalism and Symbolism: The Beginnings of a New Era (1870–1899): 17. Overview, 1870–1899; 18. A new boldness: Marcell Tinayre, Louise Ackermann and Gyp; 19. Experiment: naturalism, symbolism and Marie Krysinska; 20. Cruelty to humans and animals: Louise Michel; 21. Rachilde and the horror of gender confusion; 22. Postscript: England; 23. Legacies; Appendices; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

‘… lucid, nuanced and generous.’ Anne Green, The Times Literary Supplement

‘ … a very readable and immensely useful book.’ Modern Language Review