Reviews

The Odd Women by George Gissing

eriberry's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

olivianw's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I read this because of its early feminist novel credentials.. which I think is why I was left quite disappointed. 
It would have been a better if

Mary and Rhoda had turned out to be a couple, because the story really could have done with breaking from all the usual boring tropes

I just don’t really enjoy reading about toxic men and women who are haggard once they get to 30. 
I agree that it was probably very progressive for its time. And

I’m glad Rhoda wasn’t convinced to marry that somehow creepy *and* dull man in the end

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs and Classism

lucyandherbooks's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

alorajade's review

5.0

Gissing takes you on a journey of how women who don’t conform to the societal standards of the latter half of the Victorian Period, use their smarts, stand up for what they believe and deviate between roles of domestic vs non-domestic tradition and marriage. As Rhoda Nunn herself claims “so many odd women” - as the title suggests - meaning the women who do not conform to the societal standards during the Victorian Era and women who don’t necessarily marry. During the narrative (focusing mostly on Rhoda and Monica) the women deal with emotional battles within the realm of love and friendship. Going so far as to question ones own beliefs. Even so, Gissing’s 1893 novel opens up the conversation about The New Woman and what it means to step outside of societies traditional norms. A truly phenomenal novel.

kansass's review

5.0

No conocía a George Gissing, contemporáneo de Henry James, Hardy o Anthony Trollpe, y desde luego no tan popular parece ser, aunque en su época fue uno de los más conocidos. Lo cierto es que me ha sorprendido muchísimo en el sentido de que un hombre escribiera con tanta coherencia sobre el tema de la emergente emancipación femenina en el s.XIX, El título de la novela se refiere a esas mujeres de la época que se quedan sin casarse, en tierra de nadie, en una época en que el éxito de la mujer se media por la escala social en la que conseguía casarse.

Gissing nos describe a algunas de estas mujeres, subversivas para su época, ya que empiezan a cuestionarse una vida más allá del matrimonio. Me ha encantado vaya, no sólo porque temáticamente es una novela interesantísima, sino porque el ritmo engancha totalmente.

ljs's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

deelambe12's review against another edition

3.0

Right. What can I say about this book. I had high expectations but I was sadly let down. Some of the characters are exceedingly unlikeable and I did roll my eyes a few times, however the concepts discussed are fascinating. It felt really modern and the themes of marriage and the treatment of women have always peaked my interest. I just wish I liked Rhonda...why was she so...just ugh. More Madden sisters less Rhonda and Everard! The whole "romance" really annoyed me...if Rhonda had remained unmoved by Everard and humiliated him while he tried to seduce her, this would have been a 5 star read. But maybe that's just my 2020 mindset. However, I do believe that Gissing would approve of how much has changed since his day. I'm definitely interested in reading more of his work.

eheslosz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

raagdarbari's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

finajevans5's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5