Patricia Zakreski teaches English Literature at the University of Exeter, UK.

’...[Zakreski] situates these works within a multivalent context of literary, periodical, and historical references. This skillful layering results in dense, provocative analyses... Thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, Zakreski's book asks us to recognize that nineteenth-century separate spheres ideology was in fact much more flexible and complex that we might imagine.’ Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature ’Zakreski has chosen a well-mined subject on which she writes with competence and authority.’ Brontë Studies ’... Zakreski's contribution to the growing body of literature on the working life of Victorian women is significant, informative, and definitely an essential read.’ Victorian Studies ’... makes interesting reading, and offers some original perceptions of a range of Victorian authors: the canon is well-represented, and many lesser names add weight.’ Gaskell Journal

• Contents: Introduction: Refining work; Needlework and creativity in representations of the seamstress; 'A suitable employment for women': The woman artist and the principle of compatibility; 'The difference is great in being known to write and setting up for an authoress': representing the writing woman; Unceasing industry: work and the actress; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Patricia Zakreski teaches English Literature at the University of Exeter, UK.

’...[Zakreski] situates these works within a multivalent context of literary, periodical, and historical references. This skillful layering results in dense, provocative analyses... Thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, Zakreski's book asks us to recognize that nineteenth-century separate spheres ideology was in fact much more flexible and complex that we might imagine.’ Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature ’Zakreski has chosen a well-mined subject on which she writes with competence and authority.’ Brontë Studies ’... Zakreski's contribution to the growing body of literature on the working life of Victorian women is significant, informative, and definitely an essential read.’ Victorian Studies ’... makes interesting reading, and offers some original perceptions of a range of Victorian authors: the canon is well-represented, and many lesser names add weight.’ Gaskell Journal

• Contents: Introduction: Refining work; Needlework and creativity in representations of the seamstress; 'A suitable employment for women': The woman artist and the principle of compatibility; 'The difference is great in being known to write and setting up for an authoress': representing the writing woman; Unceasing industry: work and the actress; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Patricia Zakreski teaches English Literature at the University of Exeter, UK.

’...[Zakreski] situates these works within a multivalent context of literary, periodical, and historical references. This skillful layering results in dense, provocative analyses... Thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, Zakreski's book asks us to recognize that nineteenth-century separate spheres ideology was in fact much more flexible and complex that we might imagine.’ Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature ’Zakreski has chosen a well-mined subject on which she writes with competence and authority.’ Brontë Studies ’... Zakreski's contribution to the growing body of literature on the working life of Victorian women is significant, informative, and definitely an essential read.’ Victorian Studies ’... makes interesting reading, and offers some original perceptions of a range of Victorian authors: the canon is well-represented, and many lesser names add weight.’ Gaskell Journal

• Contents: Introduction: Refining work; Needlework and creativity in representations of the seamstress; 'A suitable employment for women': The woman artist and the principle of compatibility; 'The difference is great in being known to write and setting up for an authoress': representing the writing woman; Unceasing industry: work and the actress; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.