In this compelling book of beloved heroines and the remarkable writers who created them, Erin Blakemore explores how the pluck and dignity of literary characters such as Anne Shirley, Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Eyre, Scarlett O'Hara, Scout Finch and Jo March can inspire women today.

Surveys the origins and evolution of science fiction including its social context in England, France, and the U.S. Focuses on key works that mark significant phases of the development of the genre.