Twilight Of The Goddesses

From Library Journal
Gutwirth (professor emeritus, French, West Chester Univ.) explores the ambiguous, generally powerless existence of 18th-century French women and the roles male contemporaries assigned them. She marshals her arguments to greatest purpose when pondering the French Revolution; her discussion of contrasting depictions of Marie Antoinette as a naive consort and a demonized symbol constitutes a highlight. While these ruminations draw upon 200 years of distinguished historiography, sections based on original research, such as the half of the book devoted to salon/Enlightenment culture, are often turgid and tentative. Gutwirth's clumsy syntax is leavened by sporadic phrases of simple elegance, but readers with less than a professional interest in gender studies or 18th-century French society will shun her pedantry. Libraries supporting scholars in these areas, however, will need to own it for her frequent insights.

Gutwirth (professor emeritus, French, West Chester Univ.) explores the ambiguous, generally powerless existence of 18th-century French women and the roles male contemporaries assigned them. She marshals her arguments to greatest purpose when pondering the French Revolution; her discussion of contrasting depictions of Marie Antoinette as a naive consort and a demonized symbol constitutes a highlight. While these ruminations draw upon 200 years of distinguished historiography, sections based on original research, such as the half of the book devoted to salon/Enlightenment culture, are often turgid and tentative. Gutwirth's clumsy syntax is leavened by sporadic phrases of simple elegance, but readers with less than a professional interest in gender studies or 18th-century French society will shun her pedantry. Libraries supporting scholars in these areas, however, will need to own it for her frequent insights.
- Scott H. Silverman, Bryn Mawr Coll. Lib., Pa.
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