Description
SORORITY. A GENEALOGY (XXIII MIGUEL UNAMUNO PRIZE)
Book Summary
In this work, Herminia Luque reconstructs the bonds of sorority that existed between Enlightenment-era writers, both Spanish and Portuguese. Far from the idea that female solidarity is a contemporary phenomenon, the author demonstrates how figures such as Inés Joyes, Josefa Amar y Borbón, and Margarita Hickey wove networks of mutual support, conscious of their disadvantaged position in 18th-century society. A revealing essay that traces a genealogy of sorority, offering a new perspective on the literary and social history of women.
What is it about?
The book tracks the existence of sorority in the 18th century, a period traditionally associated with Enlightenment individualism. Through the study of writers of the era, Herminia Luque analyzes how they established personal and literary bonds that transcended mere friendship. These authors participated actively in 18th-century institutions from which they amplified their voices and sought to help other women. The work examines key figures such as Inés Joyes, Josefa Amar y Borbón, Margarita Hickey, María Lorenza de los Ríos, Leonor de Almeida, Teresa de Mello, and Rita Barrenechea, showing how they wove networks of support and collaboration in an adverse social context.
Main themes
- Sorority and female support networks in the 18th century.
- Writers of the Spanish and Portuguese Enlightenment.
- The condition of women in 18th-century society.
- Personal and literary ties between Enlightenment authors.
- Female participation in 18th-century cultural institutions.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in women's history, gender studies, and 18th-century literature. It will also be of great value to those seeking essays that challenge traditional historical narratives and explore forms of female solidarity in the past. It is especially relevant for students and researchers of literature, social history, and feminism.
What this book contributes
- An innovative perspective that demonstrates the existence of sorority before contemporary feminism.
- A detailed analysis of the relationships between Enlightenment writers from Spain and Portugal.
- The recovery of female literary figures often forgotten by traditional historiography.
- A reflection on how 18th-century women used institutions to amplify their voices and support one another.
Technical specifications
- Author: Luque, Herminia
- Publisher: El Gallo de Oro
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Literary essays, anthologies (non-poetic), social issues and processes, sociology
- Collection: Essay
- Publication date: September 2023
- Number of pages: 218
- Weight: 200 g
Editorial review
Herminia Luque offers a rigorous and necessary essay that expands our understanding of literary and social history. By demonstrating that sorority is not a recent invention, the work invites us to rethink the relationships between women of the past and their legacy. It is essential reading for those who wish to delve into the roots of female solidarity and the role of Enlightenment writers in the construction of their own genealogy.