The Secret Life of Aphra Behn

Rating:
Summary: One volume, two rare women
Review: Aphra Behn--poet, playwright, novelist, spy--was no ordinary woman of the Restoration. A commoner who mingled with the royals and shocked society with her bawdy language; at once a feminist, an abolitionist and a Tory; she's a figure of intrigue whose life remains largely unknown but commands our curiosity. Janet Todd's thorough, lively, and scholarly biography does her justice; her book carefully documents Behn's life without diminishing her mystique. If you care anything at all about verbal swordplay, clever storytelling, or listening to what women's voices have to say about our history, you must read Behn--and once you have, you'll be compelled to read Todd, as well.