I had to read this book for my German studies class (Women and Family in the 19th Century). This was the book that moved me the most, enraged me the most and made me think the most. This book not only covers many of the historical events of the 19th century (such as the Prussian War, Hep-Hep riots, and Ernst Haeckel), but it also covers feminism--or rather the repression of feminism that the main character, Agathe, experiences.

Although this book was written in the 19th century, this novel feels quite modern (and is a good translation) in the thought and concepts of feminism and gender equality.

Be warned: this book, as a reflection of a woman's life in the 19th century, is not happy, but is extremely satisfying because it feels so real and is extremely thought provoking.

Do not be turned off by the cost of this book. It is worth the expense and is a good quality printing.

We read Ms. Tatlock's manuscript for a class two years ago before it was published and it was excellent! This is a translation of a nineteenth-century German novel about a girl coming of age in a very repressive bourgeois culture. It was too controversial to be printed in English at the time, and went out of print in Germany when Hitler came into power. This book has a lot of history and a lot to teach, as well as being an interesting (although somewhat disturbing for those of us interested in gender equality) story. Highly recommended!