The historical novel has been one of the most important forms of women''s reading and writing in the twentieth century, yet it has been consistently under-rated and critically neglected. In the first major study of British women writers'' use of the genre, Diana Wallace tracks its development across the century. She combines a comprehensive survey with detailed readings of key writers, including Naomi Mitchison, Georgette Heyer, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Margaret Irwin, Jean Plaidy, Mary Renault, Philippa Gregory and Pat Barker.

The historical novel has been one of the most important forms of women''s reading and writing in the twentieth century, yet it has been consistently under-rated and critically neglected. In the first major study of British women writers'' use of the genre, Diana Wallace tracks its development across the century. She combines a comprehensive survey with detailed readings of key writers, including Naomi Mitchison, Georgette Heyer, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Margaret Irwin, Jean Plaidy, Mary Renault, Philippa Gregory and Pat Barker.

The historical novel has been one of the most important forms of women''s reading and writing in the twentieth century, yet it has been consistently under-rated and critically neglected. In the first major study of British women writers'' use of the genre, Diana Wallace tracks its development across the century. She combines a comprehensive survey with detailed readings of key writers, including Naomi Mitchison, Georgette Heyer, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Margaret Irwin, Jean Plaidy, Mary Renault, Philippa Gregory and Pat Barker.