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First inspired by reading Pride and Prejudice aloud and discovering a totally new novel, Michaelson (literary studies, U. of Texas-Dallas) looks generally at the relationship between reading and speech in the late 18th century. She challenges the tradition that links the rise of the novel firmly to print culture and to silent and solitary reading, and the tendency in both the 18th and 20th centuries to define women's language as a coherent sociolect. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (www.barnesandnoble.com).