Scan barcode
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm so glad that I finally read this classic novella! Chopin's prose is gorgeous and evocative. From the first page, I felt instantly transported to postbellum upper-class society in New Orleans. This story is positively dripping with descriptions of dinner parties, formal outfits, and fancy homes.
Most importantly, though, it's easy to see the lasting significance of this classic work. The Awakening is aptly titled: the story follows main character Edna as she has an awakening that dramatically changes her conventional life. Edna begins to realize that she doesn't love her husband, nor does she love performing any conventional housewife duties. Edna then readily admits to herself - and the reader - that she is attracted to several men who are not her husband and that she desires to live alone. Those facts all make it quite easy to imagine why this book was considered scandalous when published in 1899. A woman acknowledging that she was bored in her marriage and attracted to other men? How dare she! And how dare Chopin write such a nuanced and beautifully composed story of feminine self-discovery?
Most importantly, though, it's easy to see the lasting significance of this classic work. The Awakening is aptly titled: the story follows main character Edna as she has an awakening that dramatically changes her conventional life. Edna begins to realize that she doesn't love her husband, nor does she love performing any conventional housewife duties. Edna then readily admits to herself - and the reader - that she is attracted to several men who are not her husband and that she desires to live alone. Those facts all make it quite easy to imagine why this book was considered scandalous when published in 1899. A woman acknowledging that she was bored in her marriage and attracted to other men? How dare she! And how dare Chopin write such a nuanced and beautifully composed story of feminine self-discovery?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
martereadsbooks's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol