This book explains why the topic of reading was so controversial for the Victorians and Edwardians. Kate Flint examines texts ranging from fiction, painting, poetry, medical and psychoanalytic works, advice manuals and periodicals to autobiographies and contemporary social research. The book is essential reading all interested in the debates on women and reading.The book is marked as Damaged on the title page, though it seems in very good condition other than slight damage to the dust-jacket.