Schaffer rereads familiar 19th century literature with a new point of view - looking for the long running contest between the romantic view of marriage and the view of marriage as an institution that provides friendship, security, social standing, strong relationships. Marriage is part of the contest between individuality and community that plays out over the 18th and 19th centuries. As we read literature of the past with our modern mind, we might not even notice the underlying attitudes that are at play, often, as in Austen's novels S&S and P&P, within the same family. Intriguing look at many of our favorite books. Winner of NAVSA Best Book of the Year Prize, North American Victorian Studies Association. A CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title. Oxford University Press. 2016. NEW. $35.00