the 18th century to the present, in Anglo-Saxon countries and elsewhere, including Eastern Europe and some places under the influence of communism or Islam. The development of exchanges and correspondence enabled feminism to preexist the word itself, which leads several contributors to ponder over its meaning as well as over the notion of influence, a pivotal component of their reflection. Through the complex interplay of harmony and disharmony, openly acknowledged or carefully hidden similarities or differences, and the delineation of the converging or conflicting forces which the authors of this volume attempt to disentangle, a fascinating chorus of voices eventually emerges from this volume, a preview of the budding 'sisterhood'. It throws light on the major factors in women's growing consciousness of their plight and of the main stakes in the struggle for the defense of their rights. Scholars of different national origins and methodological approaches here join forces until this book itself amounts to an innovative web of exchanges and correspondences, its medium as well as its avowed message.

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