Scan barcode
munlight's review against another edition
3.0
On one hand, I enjoyed Edna reaching beyond the roles she was placed within society, but then, I want to smack her too. It is okay to be an individual and fight for who you are, but she completely abandons everything. She thinks of herself before her own children. She is attempting to be stronger, yet she makes herself only appear weaker.
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A review just on The Awakening. I haven’t yet read the short stories.
I’ve been assigned this work twice now, and each time I’ve read it, I’ve loved it and gotten more out of it. It’s always incredible to me when a work from 100+ years ago still resonates so deeply. I hate how much I can empathize with Edna, but I appreciate having her as a character I can look to for comfort, almost, or maybe to feel seen and understood.
However, I can’t and won’t ignore how this narrative and other feminist narratives of this time period have huge issue regarding race and eugenics. Those topics need greater recognition and acknowledgement when early feminist media is discussed. It’s awful to think that these white women were begging for freedom and rights, yet would step on black women, poor women, disabled women, etc. to get where they wanted to be.
Both of these points of view can exist simultaneously, people!
I’ve been assigned this work twice now, and each time I’ve read it, I’ve loved it and gotten more out of it. It’s always incredible to me when a work from 100+ years ago still resonates so deeply. I hate how much I can empathize with Edna, but I appreciate having her as a character I can look to for comfort, almost, or maybe to feel seen and understood.
However, I can’t and won’t ignore how this narrative and other feminist narratives of this time period have huge issue regarding race and eugenics. Those topics need greater recognition and acknowledgement when early feminist media is discussed. It’s awful to think that these white women were begging for freedom and rights, yet would step on black women, poor women, disabled women, etc. to get where they wanted to be.
Both of these points of view can exist simultaneously, people!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Suicide
Moderate: Classism, Mental illness, Infidelity, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Racism, Death, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
spawnofpuremalevolence's review against another edition
5.0
While I didn't exactly read all the selected short stories ... I'm marking this as read simply because I was really only interested in The Awakening, which I loved. I may finish the short stories soon, or not. I read two of them, but they weren't as interesting to me and I felt that they were either overly judgmental or confusing. Maybe I need to spend a little more time reading the short stories but as for now I am not too interested.
(Probably actually finished reading this back in September about four days after I started).
(Probably actually finished reading this back in September about four days after I started).
alexasaltzman's review against another edition
2.0
Found myself enjoying the short stories more than “The Awakening”.
normal_cowgirl's review against another edition
3.0
The Awakening itself, probably a 4/5. The rest of the short stories are skippable.
anusha_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Awakening had a sad ending. Couldn't imagine a lady full of life ending her life. The short stories are too good. Kate Chopin has captured so many emotions of women, especially the story Silk stockings, where the lady is elated having purchased a silk stockings for herself. I found that very sweet!!
mxember's review against another edition
The pacing was weird and all in all i couldn’t get into it i will try and go back to it once ive finished the other books im more excited about.
lovethethief's review against another edition
5.0
“’ The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong winds. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth.’”
I first "read" this book in my AP Literature class. The only thing I could remember is the last chapter. Now reading this for women and literature class, I've found a new appreciation for Kate and Edna. I fully enjoy how Kate uses symbolism and imagery to further Edna’s story and her awakening. I found myself feeling empathy for a fictional woman from the nineteenth century. I put myself in Edna’s shoes and understand her pain. I understood Edna’s feelings and behavior. I couldn’t imagine living in a time when I wasn’t socially allowed to be myself, independent, or free. It was only when Edna saw she had a choice to not have a choice when she, in the spur of the moment, decided her fate. I don’t think Edna was a coward when she commits suicide. It was brave of her either. She finally had a choice that wouldn’t hurt her standing in society.
I first "read" this book in my AP Literature class. The only thing I could remember is the last chapter. Now reading this for women and literature class, I've found a new appreciation for Kate and Edna. I fully enjoy how Kate uses symbolism and imagery to further Edna’s story and her awakening. I found myself feeling empathy for a fictional woman from the nineteenth century. I put myself in Edna’s shoes and understand her pain. I understood Edna’s feelings and behavior. I couldn’t imagine living in a time when I wasn’t socially allowed to be myself, independent, or free. It was only when Edna saw she had a choice to not have a choice when she, in the spur of the moment, decided her fate. I don’t think Edna was a coward when she commits suicide. It was brave of her either. She finally had a choice that wouldn’t hurt her standing in society.