Carolyn G. Heilbrun Knihy

"...Heilbrun builds an eloquent argument demonstrating that writers conform all too often to society's expectations of what women should be like at the expense of the truth of the female experience. Drawing on the careers of celebrated authors including Virginia Woolf, George Sand and Dorothy Sayers, she illustrates the struggle these writers undertook in both work and life to break away from traditional 'male' scripts for women's roles"--Back cover

The biography delves into the life of a prominent feminist, revealing the complexities of her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a global icon for women's rights. Heilbrun offers an intimate and insightful exploration of the pivotal moments that shaped her activism and public persona. This acclaimed work not only highlights her achievements but also presents a provocative look at the personal experiences that influenced her feminist ideology, complemented by photographs that enrich the narrative.

The feminist writer and author of the Amanda Cross mystery series looks back on a youthful pledge to commit suicide at seventy, explaining why, given that her sixties have been her happiest decade, she decided not to take her life