Forbidden fruit: a history of women and books in art

Like a foil-wrapped, imported chocolate, this delectable treat satisfies the armchair art historian's sweet tooth. Inmann provides a colorful exploration of the value of reading and writing to women through history. Many readers can name a handful of women writers, e.g., Lady Murasaki, Christine de Pizan, and Hildegard of Bingen. The author chronologically fleshes out the story with more examples, from the time when reading was affordable to few women, to when it was limited by social and ethical mores, to when a woman could suffer ridicule, shunning, or physical harm because of it, to a time in the very recent past, when women are encouraged to learn as well as read for pleasure. Women artists are also emphasized, such as Sofonisba Anguissola, and sumptuous illustrations from master artists help tell the story, wherein books in the paintings have meaning relating to the woman's identity, or to the artist's bias. Verdict An engaging, affordable bit of luxury, great for gift giving, reading to a loved one, or savoring for yourself; a first book from an internationally experienced economist and art consultant.-Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Like a foil-wrapped, imported chocolate, this delectable treat satisfies the armchair art historian's sweet tooth. Inmann provides a colorful exploration of the value of reading and writing to women through history. Many readers can name a handful of women writers, e.g., Lady Murasaki, Christine de Pizan, and Hildegard of Bingen. The author chronologically fleshes out the story with more examples, from the time when reading was affordable to few women, to when it was limited by social and ethical mores, to when a woman could suffer ridicule, shunning, or physical harm because of it, to a time in the very recent past, when women are encouraged to learn as well as read for pleasure. Women artists are also emphasized, such as Sofonisba Anguissola, and sumptuous illustrations from master artists help tell the story, wherein books in the paintings have meaning relating to the woman's identity, or to the artist's bias. VERDICT An engaging, affordable bit of luxury, great for gift giving, reading to a loved one, or savoring for yourself; a first book from an internationally experienced economist and art consultant.—Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L.