Laura Rosenthal, professor of English at the University of Maryland, will discuss her recent book "Nightwalkers: Prostitute Narratives from the Eighteenth Century" on Wednesday, April 7, at 4:30 in McKeldin 6137.

The narratives contained in this volume, some written by and some written about eighteenth-century prostitutes, offer important insights into female experience and class and gender roles in the period.  Portraying the lives of women in both success and hardship, written in voices ranging from repentant to bawdy, the memoirs show the complexity of the lives of "nightwalkers."  The book provides a fascinating alternative look into eighteenth-century culture.

Professor Rosenthal is also author of "Infamous Commerce: Prostitution in Eighteenth-Century British Literature and Culture" (2006) and "Playwrights and Plagiarists in Early Modern English: Gender, Authorship, Literary Property" (1996).  

Her talk is part of the series "Speaking of Books ... Conversations with Campus Authors," organized by the University of Maryland Libraries.

Refreshments will be served.  The event is free and open to the public.    

For further information about the talk, contact Eric Lindquist ([log in to unmask]).  For further information about the "Speaking of Books" series, consult the series website (http://www.lib.umd.edu/MCK/booktalks.html).

Please forward this announcement to anyone you think might be interested.