Helpful Score: 4
I'm not a huge fan of required reading, but this was one of my favorites. The original women's fiction it looks at one woman's life and how she feels trapped in her times, and the dark way that she deals with it.
Helpful Score: 4
Wonderful novel which explores the connection between gender roles, marriage, and self-fulfillment. Chopin catches the reader with her beautiful prose and never lets go. The surface story is memorable, yet the underlying themes are what makes this novel a true classic.
I highly recommend this book to those seeking a novel which keeps them on the edge of their seat...and allows them to ponder complexities about the roles of women and society.
Simply stunning.
I highly recommend this book to those seeking a novel which keeps them on the edge of their seat...and allows them to ponder complexities about the roles of women and society.
Simply stunning.
Helpful Score: 4
For this subject to be written about when it was, was an absolute scandal. No one had ever heard of a woman standing up to her husband, let alone breaking it off. This is just one of those novels that I'm proud to say I've read.
Helpful Score: 3
The Barnes & Noble yellow-jacket hardcover edition, this book is sublime. Chopin's Edna Pontellier is stifled under the weight of her married life. But one summer, she changes bit by bit, leaving her housework and her duties behind. Touching, awkward, rebellious, and suffused with passion, Edna makes choices for herself that lead to a thought-provoking ending. This book stands alongside Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar," Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" and Lilly Bart in "The House of Mirth." I dare to venture that The Awakening is much better than Mme Bovary, as the protagonist is much more relevant to American readers. Beautiful book, beautifully written.
Helpful Score: 3
"It was the summer of Edna Pontellier's twenty-eighth year and as she watched all the mother-women surrounding her on the beach, she vowed not to be one of them and to acknowledge the dire needs and deep yearnings within herself that were unfulfilled by marriage and motherhood. The Awakening (written in 1899) is the compelling story of a surprisingly modern woman trapped in a dehumanizing marriage and struggling to establish herself as an individual- now regarded as a classic in American fiction"
This was an great book. It is amazing that Chopin had guts enough to write this sort of book. Many of her novels and stories were not published until many years after her death because the women in her books were so modern by todays standards.
This was an great book. It is amazing that Chopin had guts enough to write this sort of book. Many of her novels and stories were not published until many years after her death because the women in her books were so modern by todays standards.
Helpful Score: 3
I was surprised how well this story kept my interest. I tend to find novels written during this time period tedious, but I finished The Awakening within 4 days. The lead character, Edna, is someone every woman can relate to in one way or another. She is real and flawed.
Helpful Score: 3
First published in 1899, this novel broke new ground in its depiction of women's passions and moral relativism. Scandalous in its day, the story is another of those whose authors seemed unable to imagine that a woman might break with her husband and society's expectations and yet find a happier life. As usual, she ends badly.
Helpful Score: 3
The story of a married woman who seeks love outside a stuffy, middle-class marriage, it portrays definitively the mind of a woman seeking fulfillment of her essential nature. Despite comparisons, the book is not derivative; it has a style of it's own, and a magnificently evoked regional flavor. An American classic, advanced in theme and technique over the novels of its day.
Helpful Score: 3
Every person who seeks to understand the "Women's Lib" phenomenon is obliged to read this seminal work. It gives a look into the heart, mind and soul of a woman who burned to be more than a 'trophy' wife, a bed partner, a domestic factotum, and a bearer of progeny. How desperately she burned to live her own INDIVIDUAL life, secure education, develop skills, follow interests, and express her own thoughts, ideas and feelings will be made abundantly clear to any female reader, and will even give an insight to the male reader who approaches the book in an unprejudiced way.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent writing - timeless. (This copy is well-used and does have underlining in it.)
Helpful Score: 2
This was a fast read that I found rather depressing. I am glad that Edna had an awakening into her life but the results were tragedy and an early death. I would like to think that an awakening would make her life more fulfilling, not lead her to the conclusion that the only way to remain free would be to end her life. I do not consider myself a "mother woman" in that I have lost myself to my children and husband, but I do find them them fulfilling and satisfying.
Helpful Score: 1
I recently reread Chopin's revolutionary novella and was more impressed now than I was the first time.
Helpful Score: 1
A classic example of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage, longing for another man that never comes into fruition.
Helpful Score: 1
A feminist classic. Haunting but ultimately presents no solutions. Suicide is not a way forward!
A very intense novel, emotional and interesting.
From the inside cover of the book: Written nearly 100 years ago, The Awakening is the compelling story of any extraordinary modern woman struggling against the constraints of marriage and motherhood, and slowly discovering the power of her own sexuality.
I highly reccomend this book to women. A story of woman's struggles with herself, society and not settling for what is expected of her.
This book was first published in 1898. Interesting story, a bit sad. Well-written.
A classic. Had to buy it from school for school.
Chopin's last novel, The Awakening published in 1899, aroused a storm of controversy. The fact that this story was written back then shows where women were.... NOT where they are now. I find the 1-star reviews absolutely negative to this writer. Can you imagine living back when women didn't work? Their only job to please the husband that they may, or may not have chosen and care for their children? With barely any choices in their own life. I found this story compelling in the simple truths that it showed of marriage and sexuality back then.
Re-open your eyes and read this story. Take it for what it is, what it was, and gather strength in how far WE as women have come. Remember that Kate Chopin was socially ostracized for writing something that we now consider "real life"
Re-open your eyes and read this story. Take it for what it is, what it was, and gather strength in how far WE as women have come. Remember that Kate Chopin was socially ostracized for writing something that we now consider "real life"
A woman valued as a possession rather than a person, Edna realizes that her life has been ordered by the men in her life. Wife, mother of two and discontented with her role in society, she begins to turn away from associates her husband believes that she should cultivate to promote his business interests. She relishes the presence of those individuals who treat her as an interesting person and seeks out those who are interesting to her. She begins to paint not because she is so talented but because it allows her to do something that she herself can do to express her inner self.
While Edna adores her children and would give her life for them, she is increasingly drawn to a search for who she herself might become. Her husband is kind and gentle and loves his wife yet he is restrained by the values of the day. Edna did not marry for love but finds it in her search for who she is.
The book was first printed in 1899. Because of its controversial nature, The Awakening lost its audience at that time. It was rediscovered in the 1960s as the feminist movement gained ground in our society. I admit that I did not equate the tale with the movement, but then, I, too, understand have wandered these paths and have known others who seek to know who they are and might become. Yes, some might say that Kate Chopin was a woman ahead of her time but I suspect that many more women than Edna and the author sought who they were emotionally and passionately or who they might become. Good read!
While Edna adores her children and would give her life for them, she is increasingly drawn to a search for who she herself might become. Her husband is kind and gentle and loves his wife yet he is restrained by the values of the day. Edna did not marry for love but finds it in her search for who she is.
The book was first printed in 1899. Because of its controversial nature, The Awakening lost its audience at that time. It was rediscovered in the 1960s as the feminist movement gained ground in our society. I admit that I did not equate the tale with the movement, but then, I, too, understand have wandered these paths and have known others who seek to know who they are and might become. Yes, some might say that Kate Chopin was a woman ahead of her time but I suspect that many more women than Edna and the author sought who they were emotionally and passionately or who they might become. Good read!
It was amazing to watch the unraveling of Edna Pontellier's well-to-do, refined existence in Louisiana. Despite her privileged upbringing, youth, beauty, wealth, status and creativity, this 28-year old wife and mother is stifled by the social norms of the day (this was published in 1899) and begins uncharacteristically to act out. After taking out her initial frustrations on her busy husband, she refuses to attend her sister's wedding, and then things go bananas.
I took off a star for the short stories at the end, I liked Desiree's Baby and Ma'ame Pelagie but not so much the rest of them. I'd recommend getting them out of the way first, so you can savor The Awakening on its own.
I took off a star for the short stories at the end, I liked Desiree's Baby and Ma'ame Pelagie but not so much the rest of them. I'd recommend getting them out of the way first, so you can savor The Awakening on its own.
Chopin does an excellent job of showcasing the sexual awakening of a young woman and her struggle to build her own sense of self.
Awesome!
Very beautiful story....saddening and so true to the modern day woman also.
I wouldn't have read this book without needing to for my class, but I wasn't completely disappointed. As a book that is influential in the women's movement of the early 1900s, it's not the worst. I really like the short stories by Kate Chopin, but the novel just doesn't seem to go anywhere. The awakening that the main character goes through is not as entertaining as it could have been. Also, it was very controversial during the time that it was written because of the affair that the main character has, but for today's standards it's not as shocking and therefore not as interesting.
The Awakening is essentially heartbreak in book form. I love this story! This is a great read for anyone who has even been faced with a choice to stay with the safe and familiar or head out into the unknown.
I read this as a requirement for an English class. I found it interesting and the style was smooth and timely. However, Edna, the main character, was selfish and unlikeable in my opinion. I would recommend it because Kate Chopin is an important writer for all women to have read.
Great book for high school or college students reading Kate Chopin. Great critical articles for reference.
Daughter read this for her Junior AP lit class. She definitely recommends it.
I had to read this as a class assignment and didn't really enjoy it.
This is the story, written over a hundred years ago, of a surprisingly modern woman trapped in a dehumanizing marriage and struggling to establish herself as an individual.
Waste of time.
My oldest daughter recommended this, she teaches college litature. This book will give you a look into the life of a wealthy woman from the late 1800's. Chopin proves that thinking about ourselves seperate from our husbands and children is a yearning that all woman have, and have had for eternity. The question is will we be brave enough to answer that awakening that happens to all women, or will we bury it?
One book which grew on me after several readings. This was considered a "scandal" back when it was written but today, the heroine would be called a "liberated woman." I didn't agree entirely with her actions, but I did love the imagery of the sea and the music.
Not that great a read.
I really liked this story, but not the ending.
One of my absolute favorite novels ever, great story of a woman coming to terms with her life!
"Meeting initially with widespread hostile criticism, the novel went out of print for a half a century in [the U.S.] Now widely read, especially in college courses, this novel has established itself as one of a few classic novels written by a woman at the turn of the century...."
Wonderful book!!
Book Description
The Awakening, originally titled A Solitary Soul, is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899. Set in New Orleans and the Southern Louisiana coast at the end of the nineteenth century, the plot centers on Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century American South. It is one of the earliest American novels that focuses on women's issues without condescension. It is also widely seen as a landmark work of early feminism, generating mixed reaction from contemporary readers and criticism. The novel's blend of realistic narrative, incisive social commentary, and psychological complexity makes The Awakening a precursor of American modernist literature; it prefigures the works of American novelists such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway and echoes the works of contemporaries such as Edith Wharton and Henry James. It can also be considered among the first Southern works in a tradition that would culminate with the modern masterpieces of Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, Katherine Anne Porter, and Tennessee Williams.
Book Review
This is a very controversial book on what it's like to be a woman. It gives a brilliant insight in gender roles at the end of the 19th and women's coping with their struggle for independence. Chopin's writing style makes it easy to follow the plot and feel for the protagonist. I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the old south from a woman's point of view.
The Awakening, originally titled A Solitary Soul, is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899. Set in New Orleans and the Southern Louisiana coast at the end of the nineteenth century, the plot centers on Edna Pontellier and her struggle to reconcile her increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood with the prevailing social attitudes of the turn-of-the-century American South. It is one of the earliest American novels that focuses on women's issues without condescension. It is also widely seen as a landmark work of early feminism, generating mixed reaction from contemporary readers and criticism. The novel's blend of realistic narrative, incisive social commentary, and psychological complexity makes The Awakening a precursor of American modernist literature; it prefigures the works of American novelists such as William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway and echoes the works of contemporaries such as Edith Wharton and Henry James. It can also be considered among the first Southern works in a tradition that would culminate with the modern masterpieces of Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, Katherine Anne Porter, and Tennessee Williams.
Book Review
This is a very controversial book on what it's like to be a woman. It gives a brilliant insight in gender roles at the end of the 19th and women's coping with their struggle for independence. Chopin's writing style makes it easy to follow the plot and feel for the protagonist. I recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the old south from a woman's point of view.
I loved this book when I read it.
Needed it for a class, great story to write about.
First published in 1899, it shocked readers with its honest treatment of female marital infidelity.
Not for me.
this is a book that i had to read in high school. therefore, i didn't read it all and what i did read, i didn't enjoy due to being forced to read it. it sounds like a good book, but i just can't bring myself to read it due to it's previous context in my life.
