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Sidetracks
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Plot Summary of Sidetracks
"Richard Holmes is a superb biographer. In this volume entitled "Sidetracks," he collects the biographical stories that have captured his fancy in the course of researching his books on the romantic poets. The centerpiece of the collection concerns Mary Woolstonecraft, the great feminist crusader and philosopher, and her relationship with William Godwin. Their story and travails are inspiring and poignant. Best of all it is told in an absolutely riveting and beautiful prose style."
Juan Galis-Menendez, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Sidetracks
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Political/social rights fight Yes
Plotlet: - women fighting for rights
Period of greatest activity? - 1700's

Subject of Biography
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - champion of justice
Age: - long lived adults
Eccentric/Mental Yes
Eccentric: - eccentric - emotionally unstable
Biography of famous person? Yes
Ethnicity - White
Nationality - British
How sensitive is this person? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Genius (really!)
Physique - average physique

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK - France
City? Yes
City: - London
Century: - 18th century

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
Book makes you feel? - challenged
Commentary on society? Yes
Commentary on - love/sex - decency
Unusual Style: - a lot of flashback and forwards
Writer's slant towards subject: - favorable
Story of entire life, or part? - story of nearly entire life
Is this a biography of several people? Yes
If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult
Pictures/Illustrations? - None
How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 0-25% of book
How much is philosophy rather than life story? - 51-75% of book
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Richard Holmes Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Miranda Smith  

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