A review by daijahsbookworld
The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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

3.5

read for the tarot readathon 2025: 4 of cups (read a book you did not think you'd ever read)

the yellow wallpaper is a super short classic horror story from the 1890s that definitely still feels really relevant. at only 62 pages it packs a lot into a small space especially with its metaphors for postpartum depression which i really appreciated. the way it explores mental health, confinement, and societal expectations for women felt ahead of its time and still hits hard today.

that said i do wish it had been a bit longer so the commentary could’ve been expanded on more. classic horror isn’t always my favorite. sometimes it feels a little muted compared to the more in-your-face horror i’m used to now. but this one was still a solid read especially considering when it was written. if you’re into psychological horror and historic perspectives on women’s mental health, this is a good one to check out.