The Fowl and the Pussycat: Love Letters of Michael Field, 1876-1909

Michael Field was the pseudonym of Katherine Bradley and her niece, Edith Cooper. In the second half of the nineteenth century they were well known for their poetry and plays. Bickle (Centre for women's studies and gender research, Monash University, Australia) has edited and annotated their letters to each other from 1876 to 1909. These reveal their lives and the development of their life partnership as well as their literary collaboration. Their personal writing makes it clear that their relationship grew into a spousal one that lasted all their lives. Beyond the terms of affection and family matters, the letters also open a window into the theatrical and literary world of the time. The intelligence and wit displayed in them sparkle, reminding the reader that there was more than one type of Victorian woman. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Sharon Bickle is a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Women's Studies and Gender Research at Monash University, Victoria, Australia.