The Awakening
Written by Kate Chopin
Narrated by Alexandra O'Karma
3.5/5
()
About this audiobook
Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin was born in St. Louis, Missouri,In 1851. She began writing shortly after herHusband's death and, from 1889 until her ownDeath, her stories and other miscellaneousWritings appeared in Vogue, Youth's companion,Atlantic Monthly, Century, Saturday EveningPost, and other publications. In addition to The Awakening, Mrs. Chopin published another novel, At Fault, and two collections of short stories and sketches, Bayou Folk and A Night at Acadie. The publication of The Awakening in 1899 occasioned shocked and angry response from reviewers all over the country. The book was taken off the shelves of the St. Louis mercantile library and its author was barred from the fine arts club. Kate Chopin died in 1904.
More audiobooks from Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin: The Short Stories: The Kiss; A Pair of Silk Stockings; The Story of an Hour; A Respectable Woman; The Storm; The Lillies; Ma'ame Pelagie Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Short Stories About Trickery & Deception: Tales of manipulation, broken promises and tests of faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Story of An Hour Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Short Stories About Suicide: Explore suicide stories and suicidal characters in this deep psychological collection. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsClassic Love - Short Stories: Some of histories greatest love stories, happy, sad or both. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStories About Siblings: Friends come and go, but family is forever Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShort Stories About American Realism: Great American Short Stories From A Golden Age Of Literature Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDesiree's Baby Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Pair of Silk Stockings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Short Stories by Kate Chopin Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Kiss Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to The Awakening
Related audiobooks
The Last Man Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Robin Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Lady's Secret Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wuthering Heights Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Sins of a Few Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEmma Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Moonstone (Unabridged) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kisses and Rogues: Four Regency Stories Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ruth Hall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Castle of Otranto Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Once a Spy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Awakening Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kissed by Shadows Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Vanity Fair Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Garden Party and Other Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Virginia Woolf: And the Women Who Shaped Her World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCandide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Cornish Captive Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTender is the Night (Unabridged) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wuthering Heights The Original Manuscript Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tess of the d'Urbervilles Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Age of Innocence Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Border Lord and the Lady Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Quicksand Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Moby Dick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Invisible Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Voyage Out Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDown in New Orleans Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5To Wed the Earl: A Regency Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Classics For You
The Fountainhead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Kill a Mockingbird Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Crucible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winnie-the-Pooh - Unabridged Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Atlas Shrugged Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Thousand Ships: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Little Women Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Old Man and the Sea Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Yellow Wallpaper Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Silmarillion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stone Blind: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Frankenstein Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Les Misérables Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Treasure Island Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Perks of Being a Wallflower Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bell Jar Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Schindler's List Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5CATCH-22 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Tale of Two Cities Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Iliad: A New Translation by Caroline Alexander Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pride and Prejudice: Classic Tales Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Series of Unfortunate Events #1 Multi-Voice, A: The Bad Beginning Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Complete Tales and Poems Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Picture of Dorian Gray: Classic Tales Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5For Whom the Bell Tolls Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cider House Rules Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Oz Reimagined: New Tales from the Emerald City and Beyond Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Classic Tales Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Awakening
2,490 ratings105 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Book Description The Awakening, originally titled A Solitary Soul, is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899. Set in New Orleans and the Southern Louisiana coast at the end of the nineteenth century, the plot centers on Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century American South. It is one of the earliest American novels that focuses on women's issues without condescension. It is also widely seen as a landmark work of early feminism, generating mixed reaction from contemporary readers and criticism. The novel's blend of realistic narrative, incisive social commentary, and psychological complexity makes The Awakening a precursor of American modernist literature; it prefigures the works of American novelists such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway and echoes the works of contemporaries such as Edith Wharton and Henry James. It can also be considered among the first Southern works in a tradition that would culminate with the modern masterpieces of Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, Katherine Anne Porter, and Tennessee Williams.
Book Review This is a very controversial book on what it's like to be a woman. It gives a brilliant insight in gender roles at the end of the 19th and women's coping with their struggle for independence. Chopin's writing style makes it easy to follow the plot and feel for the protagonist. I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the old south from a woman's point of view. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A short 1899 novel (or maybe it's technically a novella?) about a married woman who finds herself falling for another man and reaching longingly for freedom, self-actualization, and passion outside her duties as a wife and mother.The dissatisfied housewife is practically a cliche now, but at the time, apparently, this novel caused a huge outcry and scandal. And given the things that society wanted to believe about women and motherhood and marriage at the time -- not all of which we've let go of today, now that I think about it -- I can see why. Because it feels so... true. There's no overwrought melodrama here, just the inner experiences of a woman who wants something more and different from the life she has, a life that she fell into almost by default, because it's what was expected of her. And those inner experiences are insightfully observed, well-conveyed, and utterly truthful.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Morgan has escaped an attempt on her life, but now she is confused about who to trust. And there is definitely some evil still happening around town. Is someone still after her or is it something else all together?I can't help loving these little books. The magic is fun but there are some serious messages here too. Tiernan gets the messages across without beating them over your head. I think this is a great series for teens, I can't wait to see what happens next.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I read this for Banned Books Week and I think that I enjoyed reading about Kate Chopin and her life far more than I enjoyed reading what she wrote. In "The Awakening" Edna Pontellier lives what was at that time an upper middle class life, I would think. She is married to a husband who treats her well, has two children, several servants and is rather comfortably well off. However she finds her life boring and wants to be more independent. She loves her children but is not emotionally connected with them. In trying to change her life to become what she feels she needs to be to become whole and independent, she looks to other men and in the end she turns out to be what appears to me a weak, feeble, simple minded and silly woman. The book just didn't work for me.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5After almost being burned to death by her boyfriend, Cal, Morgan feels betrayed and heart broken. Cal had used her and then tried to murder her, and all because she had the potential to be a very powerful witch. Even after Cal and his mother, Selene, fled before Hunter could bring them to justice, Morgan still has strong feelings for Cal. She loved him- even after what he had done. Her life was in a constant whirlwind of chaos and turmoil. Hunter is now leading the Cirrus and Morgan isn't sure how she feels about that, even though the rest of the coven really enjoy having Hunter as the coven leader. Morgan's biggest problem with Hunter is that even though he annoys her, she can't help feeling drawn to him- she can't help imagining what it would be like to be wrapped up in his arms and to feel his lips pressed against hers passionately. She was so confused about it all.After feeling dark magic at work, Morgan can't help thinking that it's either Cal or Selene. Hunter believes otherwise and is constantly trying to convince Morgan that the culprit is really someone she knew and trusted, but she doesn't want to believe it- even if she knows deep down that Hunter might be right.To top it off, Morgan's aunt and her girlfriend are harassed by boys of their neighborhood and Morgan can feel the temptation to use magic to teach them a lesson. She went as far as zapping one of them with witch fire. But how far is she willing to go to ensure that they boys leave her aunt and Paula alone?Awakening is full of magic, betrayal, passion, and strength. When life is thrown into to turmoil for Morgan Rowlands, she has to find a way to cope with all that's happening- good and bad. Relationships are tested and friendships are on the mend. Another great novel of the sweeps series.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The first 2-3 books in this series are addictive, a fresh "modern-teen" POV in the tired genre of witches/kids with supernatural powers finding themselves (and the wonder of Wicca) among families/communities who "don't get it".
After #3, it goes downhill. There is no psychological development of the main characters (and the secondary characters are quite shallowly described and hard to distinguish throughout the series; even the more promising and believable ones, BFFs Bree & Robbie are essentially dropped from the books by #4) a lot of the narrative suspenseful points are all "tell" and no "show", the conclusions are hurried and tied up nicely--except for a minimum of predictable suspense that the publisher made you have to draw people through the series. Also, each book is so short, (it's like a single chapter of a Harry Potter) that the narrative arc is predictable and hasty, and makes one wonder if these were paid by the book, or that the series was extended way beyond what should have been its natural life span by the publisher, or what.
It's no Harry Potter, that's for sure. Apart from the above flaws, here's no humor (unless you count Morgan's drinking Diet Coke all the time, which gets tired really fast) and no writing good enough to be enjoyed by adults as well (a sure sign of a good children's book).
Also there's way too much touchy-feely Wicca rituals and pseudo Gaelic chanting, which is not well enough written to be convincing and also gets tiresome. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/55th book in the Sweep series has Morgan recovering from book 4. Could another friend be not what he seems? Decent addition to the series but not the best.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5This was an amazing book. I love how Chopin writes, and I adore the plot and can also identify very well with Edna.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I came to this book with a few criteria.The Awakening basically fulfilled my objective.The time period was late 19th century......The topic was controversial for the time....The writer was a woman----------------I might add, my e reader copy presented a nice biographical sketch of the authoras an addendum.3.5*
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5As I read through this at 45, knowing so much more than I did at 14 (yet nowhere near enough), I am struck by the obliviousness to racism. Again and again, the black servants are referred to not by name but by position and even more frequently by, well, percent of blackness - the mulatto, the quadroon, etc.The Awakening speaks, in a time where it was unheard of, with great sensitivity to the sexual nature of women, to women feeling lost and trapped in their roles and disconnected from life. Yet there seems to be no feeling for the roles forced upon the former slaves and children of former slaves. It touches on the way that not every woman feels a longing for motherhood or a maternal instinct yet is forced to play that role. Yet it utterly ignores the dual burden placed on women of color to perform the bulk of the labor to raise the children of affluent white women while still performing all the labor of raising their own.The writing is lovely and evocative, but now more so than before, it tells me both the story she meant to tell and another of our ignorance of anyone's suffering but our own.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I knew I started this book once long ago and it annoyed me, so I didn't get very far. At some point, however, I must have read it because scenes late in the book were so familiar. Loved it this time around.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the most amazing experiences it was reading is this masterpiece of women's literature about a woman struggling to find her own place in a world of men, where not only her public view but also essentially her needs are exclusively dictated by her social roles, in this case as a wife and mother. It is not that it was a marvellous read, with such beautiful writing, it was the shock of thinking how little has actually changed since the 19th century status of a woman. Because even today women have to struggle with their roles as mothers, wives and workers. And if they so happen as to also have intellectual or artistic concerns, like painting in the case of Chopin's protagonist, Edna, then it is a constant battle with time and decision making, what to leave behind. Edna only understands that she can rely on no one else but herself in the end, and it is devastating to discover that not even her so called liberators would allow her the freedom they allegedly lead her to find. Although I am not in favour of suicide as a road to emancipation, I like to believe that Edna's drowning is not out of despair but an ultimate act of free will, a declaration of self-determination, a statement that she is eventually mistress of herself and, if she chooses, it is her prerogative to take away from her "rulers" the very object of their rule. The Awakening is really among the books I would like to have been able to read again for the first time, but it is also a book that you can read again and again, each time discovering something new to contemplate on.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A woman on summer holiday with her husband and two little boys gains the attention of the resort owner's son. This flirtation sets off a realization in her that her life could be...more. And from there she begins to balk at the constrains that the life of a wife and mother place on her. In essence, she realizes that she's unhappy and she sets about to change that. It ends badly for her, because of course it does. The novel reads like a Greek myth in that sense: women who strive for independence, autonomy, or power of any kind generally don't make it out of the story alive. So I liked the book for its alignment with ancient myth, although in general I want my characters to get out of their heads and *do* more. It felt a bit like Madame Bovary but make it slightly less intolerable but also slightly less well written.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Pioneering feminist work bogged down by its emotionally distant atmosphere, without any room for complete immersion nor resonance, The Awakening tells the frustrating ambivalence and wavering desire of the unhappily married Edna Pontellier. Caught in the surging waters of domesticity, while living a comfortable life on its treacherously calm surface, she wades around for any sense of purpose. But she is tied by social norms, pulling her underneath. This is exacerbated by other women, wives and mothers both, swimming around her, docile and obedient, as they trap themselves happily within the borders of opportunities or lack thereof, entirely contented by the lacklustre life laid out before them. Be a wife, be a mother, they say. Be grateful, they say. But Edna could not accept such a fate, yet she does not know what she path to take for herself. She is neither an enthusiastic wife nor an enthusiastic mother. Kate Chopin writes it as an 'indescribable oppression, which seems to generate in some unfamiliar part of her (Edna's) consciousness'. So Edna moves her arms, tightens her muscles, does two, three strokes, cuts across these waters, 'she wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before.' Edna rebels in immoral and disagreeable ways. However, not even the temporary (false) freedom and (sly) satisfaction and (tyrannous) thrill provided by anything forbidden—as an aspiring painter, as a pining lover—satiates her soul. Every choice is impeded by a society only interested in making her a woman like a million others. What's left is to take the only thing she tightly clasps between her fingers; the only thing she owns, even if it has been (unsuccessfully )shaped into everyone's expectations. So she let the strong current swallow her, drag her down—willingly and wantonly for once.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I came across this book when my nephew was reading it for school. First published in 1899, the book was famous (notorious) for its sympathetic portrayal of a woman in a loveless marriage who strays from her husband and responsibilities.The book was lost from view for more than 50 years, and only came back to notice when a Norwegian academic wrote about it.It's an OK book, nothing special. For me, the major interest was the historical context - the role of a woman and wife 120 years ago, and their limited opportunities to live a satisfying and productive life. While the role of women today may not be ideal, advances in education, employment, courtship and contraception mean that vastly fewer western women now face the stultifying existence of the main character of this book.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A trailblazing novel in its time, kind of boring to the modern reader.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I once tried to read this book, quite some years ago, when I wasn't ready for it and I didn't finish it. But today, many years older (and hopefully wiser), I finally understood it. And it was everything. While I didn't actually like anyone in the book, I have to admire Chopin's determination to write something like this, to write Edna's boldness in wanting to be more than just a wife and a mother.
#booked2018 #feministclassic - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Book With Bad ReviewsI can only imagine that Kate Chopin's The Awakening received bad reviews due to its divergence from the morality of the era it was published in, because it is a well-written story which only hints at the indelicate thoughts and actions of its protagonist, Edna Pontellier. As a character she reminds me of Clarissa Dalloway or Mother from Doctorow's Ragtime, a dreamy woman who finds herself stifled by a romance-less marriage to a man who, typical of his age, possesses her as he does his house or furniture.The Awakening is a short, straight-forward tale, whose power comes from the anticipation and suspense Chopin builds in portraying Edna's budding realization that there is something missing in her life. The interplay between Edna and her two gentleman callers is a slow, entrancing waltz. Both men make love to Edna in the old-fashioned sense of the phrase - verbally, rather than physically - in sensuous (a favorite word of Chopin) flirtations that push the boundaries of acceptable behavior between a married woman and unattached men. Even the ending, easily foreseen, fits perfectly into the narrative.To enjoy this novel you must read it with a 19th century mentality. While readers of the time found it shocking and offensive, there is nothing even mildly titillating in it*. There are several scenes where Edna is alone with one of her paramours; these are so well written that you find yourself believing a tryst occurred but realize, upon a closer reading, that nothing more than kisses were exchanged. There is also a scene in which Edna visits a pregnant friend and stays for the birth, yet their is only the mildest of indications of what transpired.I could have assigned this as A Book You Can Read In A Day on my themed reading list; regardless, it is well worth including on your own list.* - My Dover Thrift Edition comes with a laughable warning to "[s]ensitive readers" who might be offended that Chopin uses the word darky (or perhaps black or mulatto - after reading the book I can't imagine what they're referring to) on several occasions in the novel. I expected the n-word, at a minimum, to merit such a silly forewarning. And in a version published in 1993, no less.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Regarded as highly scandalous when it was published in 1898, this story of a young wife who is bored with her lie as a proper wife and mother in late 19th Century New Orleans and seeks out her own independent life, seems fairly run of the mill in the 21st Century. It is, however, well written and held my interest from beginning to end.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The written text was boring at times and the characters were not well developed but the story is highly impactful. I fully understand the the sentiments of the key character, Edna. The interests and desires of the individual are often trumped by societal expectations and pressures. It is not terribly surprising that Edna commits suicide, since life for her had become ruined by those she interacted with. I applaud her spirit. I recommend this book for anyone who is willing to think independently.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Required reading in too many English classes, normally I would hate such a text, but this actually is pretty good, and has always been very relevant. It stands the test of time like few do. Not my favorite period or writer, but among the best of each. Recommended.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Read in "The Awakening and Selected Short Stories"The novella The Awakening I found melancholy in the same way that Anna Karenina and Mrs. Dalloway were. The story has a lot in common with Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary & some other classics of this time; I can see that when it was first published in 1899 it might have been thought shocking or daring. However, just as with Anna, I found the main character Edna more annoying than sympathetic (although Edna was nowhere near as annoying as Anna!). I was much more sympathetic to Robert! I guess this is one instance to which my modern sensibilities just can't really relate.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5An appeasing novella, but dated and lacking in many instances. Altogether, did not enjoy very much.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was somewhat difficult to read, mainly because of the writing style of the time period, I think. I was overly dramatic. There were some lovely passages of description and I understood the point of the story, but the style was a little clumsy.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5WTF????? This book left me SHOOK. Also I guess I should add a trigger warning because Edna does struggle with not being able to see better days for herself and it did lead her to pick suicideEdna wants more out of life. After a vacation in the Mexican Gulf she goes home feeling unsatisfied with her role as dutiful wife and doting mother. Why? It all begins with an emotional affair she enters with a man named Robert Lebrun. When he sets off for Mexico Edna realizes how deep she is in her feelings for him and things just go downhill from there. Though Madame Adèle Ratignolle is a dear friend and a great role model to her she can't help but feel a stronger connection to Mademoiselle Reisz the type of woman she wishes she could've been.So this was part of the trifecta of IB/AP/Honors English Literature being swapped out from a pool of A Doll's House, Their Eyes Were Watching God, or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Every year the English teacher would choose three of those books to read and analyze and all that jazz except when it came time for my group to study three of them, Awakening was not a part of the trio. But I kind of wish it had beat out Doll's House that one was really annoying to analyze.Honestly, this book was really close to getting a two because of how annoying I found Edna Pontellier but then it ended. Okay so with that out of the way what did I like? For one, I liked the exposition into Edna's life. She didn't have it all that bad but it wasn't ideal either especially for a woman that clearly wasn't happy as a wife or mother. It rang true to life. Also her love affair with music was just as juicy as her love affair with Alcée Arobin. The symbolism of certain things were also clever to the point I kicked myself for not noticing where it was all heading.So why such a low rating? I hated Edna. Yeah, I know, a good feminist would feel a connection with Edna and her breaking gender roles and all that but she was so childish. I'm all for a self aware character that knows they are different from what society expects from them but Edna's reactions to certain situations drove me mad. Okay so she's shocked that Robert's leaving, I get it, but did she have to go insane about it? Her lover wants her but she tries to reject him only to pounce on him the next chance she got. Her sister's getting married and she doesn't want to go because REASONS. To me it just felt like an excuse the author picked to get her to be alone and able to have her first physically sexual awakening. At some point Madame Adèle Ratignolle calls her out on her behavior and I had to take a pause and really think about it. Is it a good thing because I wasn't wrong that it's exactly how she was behaving? Or have I been conditioned just as Mdm R to perceive Edna's behavior as such? SHOOK.Also, I didn't think Mr. Pontellier was all that bad either. He did seem to care for her wellbeing but again, have I just been conditioned to think Edna the bad guy here or was Mr. P really just one of those nice white guys that wants us to clap for him just because he's not a bad guy? But then again I really liked Robert but was it just because he was able to act on what he wanted which made him so likeable, unlike Edna who couldn't do anything because of societal norms? - clearly I wish this had been used in my time at school because I have a lot to say about this book. But I'm sorry I didn't like it more.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The plot of this American classic revolves around Edna Pontellier, the wife of a New Orleans businessman during the cusp of the 20th century, who feeling restrained by feminine social roles of the times and rebels in unorthodox ways.Imagine if Lucy and Ricky slept in the same bed during their 1950s sitcom. Although this book pales in comparison to today's nightly entertainment, it would have been considered risque for the time because of the social commentary, which is why it has been included on the banned book list. Although several archaic words had me checking the dictionary from time to time, the dated language interfered little in my enjoyment of this paragon of feminist literature.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Well written romantic. feminist tragedy. Considered a classic. The main character needed a good therapist. :-)
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I know this is suppose to be a huge book for feminism, but I didn't like it. She just seems so unsatisfied in every situation. I don't know why she became a mother in the first place, and I think committing suicide because you want to have an affair with someone that won't adjust their morals is pretty selfish. I didn't study this book at all so I'm probably way off the mark about a lot of it, but this is how it felt for me while reading.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I loved this book when I first read it in college. I decided to reread it as my daughter was reading it for school and unfortunately it didn't move me this time. I found that the story moved very slowly. That I really didn't like the entitled characters. And the first time I read it I could identify with Edna. This time I really disliked Edna. Perhaps I could forgive her leaving a husband that she didn't like. But her disinterest in her children made me angry. And the ending really bothered me this time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5... oh my goodness me the reviews.
Some of them are so unkind, so cruel and so scathing. And for everyone criticising Chopin's writing and saying how they would write this book -- Go! Go write a book with feminist themes that you'd like to see in a book.
Edna, as a female protagonist, stands for so much more than a selfish woman who has had an affair. She is brave enough, and bold enough to completely abandon society and realise that she is so much more than a mother and a wife. She realises, during the course of the book, that she has a self that neither her husband or her children would ever see.
This book is full of metaphors and beautifully written. I loved how Chopin created atmosphere and texture and colour, and how she drew on her environment to enhance her writing. It was written in 1899, and was so ground-breaking for its time.
I don't like books about cheating, or with cheating tropes. I think it's lazy, and I don't find it interesting.
But I loved this book. This is an important book.
But more than anything, I love Edna. She is a beautiful, flawed women, and I saw part of myself in her. Furthermore, all these negative comments and reviews make me realise that this is why we need feminism. This is why I need feminism.
And I will love and defend Edna and her choices till the end of my days. Chopin, I tip my hat to you. I will give this book to my friends, and to anyone who asks.
(I feel like this review is a little bit harsh - we're all entitled to our different opinions but it makes me a bit sad that people are so unfair to a female protagonist.)