I had to look her up.. but being English maybe that is forgivable !

Well, since you didn't read her in American Lit you probably don't have negative preconceptions! If you hafta read it in school it can't be much fun, right? ;) But in fact she's quite readable even today--despite her classroom presence!

I'd have to admit I'd never heard of her, Steve - though I'm sure many of our writers are not known elsewhere either!