summermorning's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
alexashabit's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
fernbomb's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the writing, and the look into the past that this book provides.
However, this book has received and does deserve much criticism. A perfect example of white feminism, it is at times infuriating to read for the extreme cognitive dissonance that would have been required to advocate for liberation for rich, white woman but none for other oppressed people at the time. It’s wild to me that Kate Chopin could examine the systems that oppress her, but be completely blind to the systems that oppress others, which she directly benefited from. For example, the servants and caretakers are rarely ever mentioned by name in the book, but are instead mentioned by their racial classification at the time.
However, this book has received and does deserve much criticism. A perfect example of white feminism, it is at times infuriating to read for the extreme cognitive dissonance that would have been required to advocate for liberation for rich, white woman but none for other oppressed people at the time. It’s wild to me that Kate Chopin could examine the systems that oppress her, but be completely blind to the systems that oppress others, which she directly benefited from. For example, the servants and caretakers are rarely ever mentioned by name in the book, but are instead mentioned by their racial classification at the time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
dee_dreams's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
The Awakening features a frustrating, unrelatable, though somewhat sympathetic heroine whose story is made entertaining through Chopin's rich, colorful, page-turning prose. Replete with words like "befurbelowed" and French phrases, & set within a dreamy picture of 19th-century Louisiana, it goes at soap opera pace. The plot is as entertaining as it is stimulating, watching how women's role in society has both changed and not changed. The way that characters of colors are left nameless and reduced to only descriptions of their skin is repugnant, as is the heroine's enormous privilege. Much of the dialog is comically overdramatic. I found it charming. The realism of many passages is natural and makes it a joy to read. I found myself thoroughly entertained overall
Spoiler
but deeply disappointed with the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicide
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
commander_morgan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
4.5
4.5 for the Awakening only. The short stories fell a little short for me, but I absolutely loved The Awakening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
elisamorvena's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Racial slurs
caidyn's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
3.75
Some stories were better than others. I thought that the titular story could have been slimmed down a bit because it got pretty repetitive. But, it was good. The short stories were also hit or miss. Désirée's Baby was my favorite one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racial slurs, and Racism
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