Learning Not to be First: Life of Christina Rossetti

This like-new hardcover is near fine, no marks, pages are tight and appear unread, the book is tight, square, and unmarked. Dust cover is in good condition, orange cloth boards, and bright gilt lettering on the spine of the book. First published in 1991, the book examines Rossetti's personal experiences, familial relationships, and the societal and religious influences that shaped her poetry. Born in 1830 to Italian parents in England, Christina Rossetti was the youngest of four children in a notably artistic family. Kathleen Jones approaches Rossetti's life with a focus on uncovering the poet's internal struggles and external challenges. Readers have noted that Jones's writing reflects the clarity and simplicity reminiscent of Rossetti's own poetic style, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers interested in Victorian literature and women's studies.