Subject
Feminism -- Fiction Books
Best books
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Ann Veronica: A Modern Love Story
"Ann Veronica: A Modern Love Story" by H. G. Wells is a novel published in 1909. It follows twenty-one-year-old Ann Veronica Stanley as she rebels against her controlling father's patriarchal authority in Edwardian London. Fleeing her restrictive home to live independently, she pursues biology studies and becomes entangled in the women's suffrage movement. Her struggle for autonomy leads to unexpected complications when she falls in love with a married man, forcing her to choose between social convention and personal desire.
Rebecca Harding Davis
Life in the Iron-Mills; Or, The Korl Woman
"Life in the Iron-Mills; Or, The Korl Woman" by Rebecca Harding Davis is a short story written in 1861. Set in nineteenth-century factory life, it follows Hugh Wolfe and his cousin Deborah, immigrant ironworkers struggling with poverty, disease, and brutal labor conditions. This pioneering work of American realism exposes the bleak existence of industrial workers, challenging readers to confront the human cost of progress. Through an unnamed narrator's window, Davis unveils a forgotten story of suffering and survival in the mill-town darkness.
Harry Johnston
Mrs. Warren's Daughter: A Story of the Woman's Movement
"Mrs. Warren's Daughter: A Story of the Woman's Movement" by Sir Harry Johnston is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book serves as a sequel to George Bernard Shaw's "Mrs. Warren's Profession," continuing the story of Vivien Warren and her mother, Catherine Warren, against the backdrop of the women's movement in England. It explores themes of gender equality, social expectations, and personal identity through the main character Vivien, who grapples with her unconventional upbringing and her ambition to forge her own path. The opening of the novel introduces us to Vivien Warren, who runs an actuarial firm with her partner Honoria Fraser. Set in June 1900, the narrative reveals Vivien's internal conflicts as she reads a marriage proposal from her past lover, Frank Gardner, while contemplating her independence and career ambitions. As she interacts with Honoria, they discuss societal issues, their firm, and their plan to assist women in achieving financial independence and career opportunities. Vivien expresses a desire to escape her mother's controversial past and reveal her intentions to pursue law as David Vavasour Williams, a disguise she hopes will allow her to bypass the barriers women face in their professions. Overall, the opening establishes a rich context for issues of identity and ambition within the framework of the women's rights movement.
Marietta Holley
Samantha on the Woman Question
"Samantha on the Woman Question" by Marietta Holley is a humorous and insightful novel written during the late 19th century that discusses women's rights and societal norms. The book follows the experiences of Samantha, an outspoken woman who navigates the challenges of her time, particularly concerning women's suffrage and the injustices faced by women like her acquaintance Serepta Pester, who seeks her rights against a backdrop of male-dominated laws and societal expectations. At the start of the novel, we meet Samantha as she prepares for a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a reunion and visit her cousin. Along her journey, she interacts with various characters from her community, including Serepta Pester, who reveals her tragic story of suffering under the constraints of marriage and a corrupt environment. Serepta's plea for assistance in addressing her grievances with the law sets the stage for Samantha's adventure in advocating for women's rights, touching on themes of justice, the complexities of relationships, and the fight for equality as she prepares to confront the political landscape and confront those in power. The opening establishes a tone of wit and social commentary that promises an engaging exploration of women's issues in a changing world.
Marietta Holley
My Opinions and Betsey Bobbet's Designed as a Beacon Light to Guide Women to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, But Which May Be Read by Members of the Sterner Sect, without Injury to Themselves or the Book
"My Opinions and Betsey Bobbet's" by Marietta Holley is a work of fiction written in the late 19th century. This humorous novel centers around the lives and perspectives of women, particularly exploring themes of marriage and women's rights through the voice of the main character, Samantha Allen, and her interactions with the character Betsey Bobbet. The narrative reflects the social dynamics and gender roles of its time, often delivering poignant commentary while maintaining a light-hearted tone. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Samantha Allen, who reflects on her life with her husband, Josiah, and their blended family. As she recalls their early days of marriage and her struggles with both domestic life and societal expectations, she is inspired by an inner voice to write a book about women's rights and her experiences. This marks the beginning of her journey, as she navigates her responsibilities as a wife and stepmother, expressing her candid opinions with wit and charm. The opening sets the stage for a satirical exploration of gender roles, as Samantha contemplates her relationship with Josiah and her interactions with neighbors like Betsey Bobbet, who represents a more traditional view of women's roles.
Alcanoan O. Grigsby
Nequa; or, The Problem of the Ages
"Nequa; or, The Problem of the Ages" by Alcanoan O. Grigsby and Mary P. Lowe is a novel published in 1900. One of America's first feminist science fiction works, it follows Jack Adams—secretly a woman named Cassie disguised as a man—on an Arctic voyage searching for her betrothed. When their ship sails beyond the North Pole, they discover a passage into the hollow Earth, encountering the Altrurians, an advanced cooperative society. This utopian tale blends adventure with Populist politics and challenges conventional gender roles.
Bertha von Suttner
When Thoughts Will Soar: A romance of the immediate future
"When Thoughts Will Soar: A Romance of the Immediate Future" by Baroness Bertha von Suttner is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Franka Garlett, a young woman who grapples with loss and the complexities of her uncertain future following the death of her father. As she navigates her new life among strangers, she confronts societal expectations, the pursuit of love, and her inherited legacy. The opening of the novel introduces readers to Mr. John A. Toker, an affluent American contemplating a grand plan sparked by developments in aeronautics and the implications of technology on society, which foreshadows key themes of the book. Following this, we meet Franka, who mourns the untimely death of her father, a professor, and struggles with loneliness in their modest home. Her past is steeped in academic pursuits and deep emotional bonds, but the realization of her plight prompts her search for work to sustain herself. The narrative then depicts her encounters with various individuals, including Baron Ludwig Malhof, whose unsettling intentions lead Franka to assert her independence and morals amid an array of societal challenges. This sets the stage for Franka's journey towards self-identity, resistance against oppressive norms, and her quest for love and belonging amidst the changing world around her.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Moving the Mountain
"Moving the Mountain" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a novel written in the early 20th century, specifically around 1911. The story explores a future society where a man, John Robertson, awakens after thirty years of unconsciousness, discovering a dramatically altered world shaped by the empowerment of women and societal changes. The narrative reflects on themes of gender roles, societal progress, and the potential for a changed human condition. At the start of the novel, we meet John Robertson, who has been found lost and disoriented in Tibet after a long absence. He is reunited with his sister, Nellie, who reveals the wild changes that have taken place while he was gone. As he grapples with the shock of waking up in a time that has progressed greatly beyond his last memories, he learns about the advancements in women's rights and societal transformations that have taken place. Through John's perspective, we are introduced to his bewilderment about the social dynamics, especially regarding the roles of women in this new world, leading to a complex exploration of identity, progress, and the nature of change in human society.
Marietta Holley
Josiah Allen on the Woman Question
"Josiah Allen on the Woman Question" by Marietta Holley is a satirical work written in the early 20th century. This humorous book presents the perspectives of Josiah Allen, a male character who staunchly defends traditional gender roles and argues against women’s suffrage. The narrative captures his comical toils to prove the superiority of men, especially through humorous dialogues with his wife, Samantha. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Josiah Allen, who intends to write a book countering the arguments made by his wife, Samantha, and other suffragists about women's rights and equality. He reflects on the societal changes around him, filled with exasperation and humor as he wrestles with his own thoughts about women's roles. The opening establishes his belief in male superiority and his purpose for writing—aiming to protect what he sees as traditional values against the rising tide of feminist sentiment. His humorous observations on his own life, combined with his interactions with Samantha and Uncle Sime, set the tone for an entertaining critique of gender dynamics and societal norms of the time.
George Corbett
New Amazonia: A Foretaste of the Future
"New Amazonia: A Foretaste of the Future" by Mrs. George Corbett is a feminist utopian novel published in 1889. Written in response to an anti-suffrage petition, the novel envisions a Victorian woman and man awakening in the year 2472 to discover Ireland transformed into a female-dominated utopia. The Amazonians have created a scientifically advanced society where women hold all political power and men are barred from office. While the female narrator embraces this new world, her male companion finds himself unable to adapt to a civilization run entirely by women.
Thomas Dixon
The way of a man : $b a story of the new woman
"The way of a man: a story of the new woman" by Thomas Dixon Jr. is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Ellen West, a brilliant New York feminist editor whose attacks on marriage and advocacy of female independence collide with the allure of love and power as she attracts the author Randolph Field, the millionaire Edwin Brown, and the young journalist Ralph Manning. The book probes the clash between the New Woman’s ideals—sexual, economic, and spiritual autonomy—and the old order’s claims of romance, marriage, and possession. The opening of the novel finds Ellen hosting a triumphant Fifth Avenue reception after her election as a reform club’s president, where her manifesto against marriage and for “sex freedom” sets the tone. Field, her realist neighbor, confesses love on the roof and is coolly refused. Brown arrives uninvited; in a candid rooftop interview he first offers a lavish “free alliance,” then marriage, and is rejected on both counts. Ellen is then unexpectedly smitten with Manning, her friend’s Southern nephew, whose earnest ambition and freshness disarm her skepticism. As they meet nightly, she falls hard, while he wins a newspaper post and returns with a ring fashioned from his mother’s earrings, proposing ardently on the starlit roof. She reciprocates his love but refuses marriage on principle, arguing for a free, self-directed union, and their debate over love, freedom, and the “home” swells into a tense impasse as the opening section ends.
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