From Publishers Weekly
Figes's Patriarchal Attitudes is one ofthe more imaginative and valuable studies in the literature of the women's movement. Her novels, Waking and Light, reveal close observation of the natural world and a painterly, copious prose in rendering it. This new novel is concerned far less with narrative in the usual sense than with a kind of fictionalized history of women across a millennium from preChristian England to the present day. Voices of women from all periodsmedieval to Elizabethan, Victorian to the age of Strontium 90emerge from the obscurity in which they dwell in conventional versions of history. Here, the central character, an English midwife who has retired to the country, remembers her grandmother's stories of women's ancient ways and immemorial ordeals. Through the consciousnesses of a multitude of women, a vivid sense is conveyed of the realities of existence for the female sex throughout the centuries as givers, preserversand victimsof life. In the end, Figes's contemporary woman will come out of her retirement to join a younger generation in their protests against nuclear weapons. If the novel reads at times like a polemical feminist tract, it is also informative, stylistically distinguished and very timely.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Figes, a British feminist and author of Light ( LJ 11/15/83), powerfully renders British history from the perspectives of seven women whose lives span the centuries from medieval times to the present. Their closely linked stories are unified by the persona of the contemporary midwife who presents them. Historical background, folk traditions, women's history, and a history of childbirth and midwifery practices are skillfully interwoven with these absorbingand at times brutaltales. Not only does the novel present an important viewpoint, giving us stories representative of all women, but it is well written: the striking prose contains poetic images that are both harsh and beautiful. Recommended for large public libraries and for academic libraries emphasizing women's studies, contemporary fiction, and creative writing. Elizabeth Guiney Sandvick, English Dept., North Hennepin Community Coll., Minneapolis
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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