A review by flappermyrtle
Sexual Anarchy: Gender and Culture at the Fin de Siecle by Elaine Showalter

4.0

Sexual Anarchy is pretty much a must-read for anyone interested in the fin de siecle. I was mostly aiming for the New Woman chapters, since that is what my essay will deal with, but decided to read the whole book since it is truly a smooth read and very informative, giving a general insight into fin-de-siecle culture.

Not only does it discuss elements of fin-de-siecle culture in minute detail, this book also manages to connect these with contemporary (for the time - it was published in the late 20th century) issues. The chapter on AIDS and venereal disease, for example, was very interesting for its description of the similarities in discourse surrounding these diseases in their historical context.

Though some of the material is slightly outdated by now, as research into this specific area has increased rather a lot in the past decades, it is still a good start for any student looking for a handbook to guide them through the basic principles of the late Victorians.