This anthology collects approximately ninety poems from 19th century French women writers. Presented under the heading "Romanticism: Revolutions and Interiority" are poems by Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, Amable Tastu, Delphine Gay de Girardin, Élisa Mercœur, and Louise Colet. Under the heading "Recitation and Rebellion: Parnassianism, War, and the Fall of Empire" come poems from Louise Ackermann, Malvina Blanchecotte, Louise Michel, Louisa Siefert, and Nina de Villard. Finally, poems by Judith Gautier, Marie Krysinska, Gérard d'Houville, and Renée Vivien are presented under the heading "The Promises of Symbolism." The poems are presented in the original French and in English translation on facing pages. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)