"With an eye to the rather insular, particular development and definition of feminism in Spain, the author recognizes that the twentieth century has been a period of great change for peninsular women authors. Her study of the creative compromises wrought by severe oppression followed by relative liberation, all within the context of Spain's specific religious and regional influences, illustrates the unique positioning of these women writers as shown through their female characters. While this is reflection of the current scholarship in Women's Studies (examining the feminist resonance of the construction of female identity through texts written by women about women), it is one that is in its first stages of development in Spanish criticism and has been primarily author-specific. Ellen C. Mayock's research provides a more panoramic view, so to speak, facilitating an overview of progression between trends, as opposed to a singular progression of a single author within the context of era- a very positive move that allows for full comprehension."--BOOK JACKET.