This is a fairly intellectual piece of analysis, and not light reading, but not slow reading either. I picked this book up because of the reference to a "hermaphrodite" in the 1800's, but that interest faded as it was taken up into a larger story. A Fascinating look at the roles of men & women and sexuality in the 1850's in America. Also as a poet and a woman, I recommend this book highly to women poets (although male poets would be interested too). The book goes into how she veils her passionate thoughts in language that rides the edge of what lay-readers can related to and absorb.