The Awakening and Selected Short Stories

from bookworm12

This often over-looked classic, has been making waves for more than a century. It has been called the "proto-feminist precursor to American modernism" and has inspired generations of women. The story revolves around Edna Pontellier, a woman in her late twenties who is a mother, wife and socialite...

from LauGal

I had never heard of this author till 2 weeks ago when I bought the paperback version at the big box book store. I wanted a summer read.This was a lifetime read. It WILL be one of the few books I will re-read over and over.Edna married for society's obligation and social status. She didn't marry ...

from marthaearly

One of my favorite books and novellas of all time, a very powerful and feminine examination of one woman's dissatisfaction with her existence and the terms of it, and how she is treated. Inexplicably beautiful and meaningful to me.

from wendyrey

Short and enjoyable novella. An illustration of the way attitudes towards women and sex (in the upper classes) have changed since the nineteenth century

from lisapeet

I chose to look at this as pretty much allegorical, rather than any definitive feminist call to arms (and from what I've read of Chopin, she was no activist). So as far as that goes, I don't have much comment on the plot -- it was what it was, and I think it works a lot better framed as a fable t...