From a specifically gay academic perspective, Litvak reads novels by Austen, Thackeray and Proust, and theoretical works by Adorno and Barthes, and reveals how the texts teach sophistication, each in their own way. He discusses how sophistication embarrasses the sophisticated, and how class politics of sophistication are separate from sexual politics. Currently only available from the publisher in paperback, scarce in hardcover. Near fine condition. No jacket. Sophisticated printing in black cloth with gilt letters. Priced to sell. Duke University Press. 1997. Hb. USED. $110.00