Worthwhile lit crit
Unlike so much literary criticism, this is a useful and readable book, from the unusual perspective of an agrarian Marxist--with the emphasis on agrarian. I turned to it because I was told Wendell Berry recommended it, and found Weissman's analysis of the Bronte sisters (esp. Charlotte) answered some of my questions about their work and helped me better understand 19th century Romanticism in general. The book would make a good guide to college class or to a book club's survey of the period from Wordsworth through Hardy (she also includes Forster). Weissman is free of jargon and pleasant to read, as well as insightful.