Katherine Anne Porter is seldom recognized as a feminist, and little known as a literary critic. She was both…. Porter exhibits in her work a well-trained critical intellect which frequently addressed itself, particularly during the early part of her career, to women's rights and women's concerns. Her book reviews from the 1920's provide ample evidence both of her critical abilities and of her commitment to the feminist cause….

These early book reviews illustrate Porter's forthrightness, her liberal spirit, and her witty mastery of English. They trace the formation of her critical tastes and knowledge of her craft…. They warrant attention not because of the works discussed (most of which have long been buried in oblivion), but because they provide a new perspective on the author of "Flowering Judas," "Old Mortality," "Pale Horse, Pale Rider," "Noon Wine," and Ship of Fools. (p. 44)

The subject of women's rights was so...