In this collection of essays, Alice Meynell offers a critical examination of some of the most celebrated 19th-century British authors. She explores the controversies and criticisms surrounding their works and public perceptions of their personal lives. Meynell's essays cover a range of authors, including the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, and Alfred Tennyson. Through her insightful commentary and analysis, Meynell provides a nuanced perspective on these iconic figures and their enduring legacies in British literature.