occultmemorysystem's review against another edition
5.0
The Awakening itself I really liked a lot, if not exactly loved. I liked the sort of dreamy way it's written, and it's impossible not to admire Chopin for writing this way in 1899. The main thing that kept me from loving it is just a personal thing where I didn't really click with any character in particular. But still, I really liked it. Her short stories were more hit and miss for me; the ones I loved I really loved; the ones I was meh about I was meh about. Favorites: "The Story of an Hour," "Desiree's Baby," "A Pair of Silk Stockings," "A Respectable Woman."
lil1inblue's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bat11692's review against another edition
I liked The Awakening but all her short stories were lacking IMO
caddysnack's review against another edition
4.0
Spoiler, I guess:
I don't want to read any more stories where the female protagonist kills herself at the end. That being said, The Awakening is a wonderful character study of depression and at least the suicide actually makes sense (as opposed to, say, Anna Karenina). From reading the introductory essay of this anthology, which focused on literary elements rather than thematic, I am not clear if this is a dominant interpretation of the story. But to me, rather than it being a forceful tale of female liberation, it seemed that our heroine's depression was the vehicle of her 'awakening.' Not that these are mutually exclusive, as there is a strong historical (particularly literary) relationship between mental illness and female insubordination. But I definitely found the book most interesting when reading it in terms of mental illness rather than a proto-feminist novella.
I don't want to read any more stories where the female protagonist kills herself at the end. That being said, The Awakening is a wonderful character study of depression and at least the suicide actually makes sense (as opposed to, say, Anna Karenina). From reading the introductory essay of this anthology, which focused on literary elements rather than thematic, I am not clear if this is a dominant interpretation of the story. But to me, rather than it being a forceful tale of female liberation, it seemed that our heroine's depression was the vehicle of her 'awakening.' Not that these are mutually exclusive, as there is a strong historical (particularly literary) relationship between mental illness and female insubordination. But I definitely found the book most interesting when reading it in terms of mental illness rather than a proto-feminist novella.
maryorr's review against another edition
5.0
Ahead of its time. As relevant today as when it was published in 1899. Beautiful. Poetic. An instant favorite.
rachel45's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dionejansen's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
booklandish's review against another edition
4.0
I am glad I read this close together with Mrs Dalloway as there were definitely some common themes. If I dare do a little compare and contrast thing I'd also add The yellow wallpaper in the mix.
There were some beautiful sentences in here that truly showcase the beauty of the writing. However, I'm rarely sold on novellas and the end of this one felt very abrupt!
Bullet review:
- Beautiful writing
- Southern US setting
- Deeply introspective
- Emancipation and identity
- Very short
- Abrupt ending
A lot of the reviews and critiques talk about infidelity being a major theme in this book but tbh, I don't think it makes the top 5 of themes in here, and it certainly isn't the most interesting one, and there were quite a few!
There were some beautiful sentences in here that truly showcase the beauty of the writing. However, I'm rarely sold on novellas and the end of this one felt very abrupt!
Bullet review:
- Beautiful writing
- Southern US setting
- Deeply introspective
- Emancipation and identity
- Very short
- Abrupt ending
A lot of the reviews and critiques talk about infidelity being a major theme in this book but tbh, I don't think it makes the top 5 of themes in here, and it certainly isn't the most interesting one, and there were quite a few!