[A] fascinating excavation of four intellectual powerhouse women of the 16th and early 17th centuries.

Lanyer’s case may not persuade, but Ms. Targoff’s does: These little-known female voices widen our lens onto a past we thought we knew..

This is a very readable but scholarly work on a little-known part of literary history..

While intended for both scholarly and general readers, Shakespeare’s Sisters is more academic in tone and can be overwhelming for those who don’t already know much about the era..

Jumping back and forth somewhat awkwardly from one woman to another, Targoff provides extensive, insightful historical material along with in-depth biographies.

Targoff’s narrative is full of vivid personalities and intriguing tales of court alliances and rivalries. It’s an enlightening study of the era’s literary scene and the women who persevered despite their exclusion from it..