Subject
Women college graduates -- Fiction Books
Best books
Sinclair Lewis
Main Street
"Main Street" by Sinclair Lewis is a novel published in 1920. It satirizes small-town life through Carol Milford Kennicott, an idealistic young woman who moves to Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, and clashes with its narrow-minded residents. Determined to bring progressive change and beauty to the drab town, Carol faces constant resistance from the conservative community. The novel explores her struggles between conformity and independence, tradition and reform, in a provincial American setting that refuses to embrace her vision.
Marian Hurd McNeely
When she came home from college
"When She Came Home from College" by Marian Hurd McNeely and Jean Bingham Wilson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Barbara Grafton, a recent college graduate who returns home to her family in a small Midwestern town, seeking to balance her ambitions for literary success with her responsibilities at home. Themes of personal growth, family dynamics, and the tensions between tradition and progress emerge as Barbara navigates her new life and the challenges of managing her domestic environment. The opening of the novel introduces us to Barbara and her college friends reveling in their last moments together as graduates, filled with both excitement and apprehension about their futures. Upon returning home, Barbara is met with the hustle and bustle of family life, which starkly contrasts with her scholarly pursuits at college. As she attempts to establish a balance in her domestic sphere while also longing to write and make her mark in the literary world, she encounters unexpected obstacles, including a lack of household help, an overwhelming family dynamic, and her own high expectations. This initial section sets the stage for Barbara's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with the responsibilities of adulthood while holding onto her dreams.
Elizabeth Garver Jordan
May Iverson's Career
"May Iverson's Career" by Elizabeth Garver Jordan is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the journey of May Iverson as she transitions from her convent education to a career in journalism in New York City. The story captures May's ambitions, challenges, and the lessons she learns about life, relationships, and her own aspirations as she intertwines with various characters in a bustling urban environment. The opening portion of the novel presents May's graduation from St. Catharine's convent, where she grapples with her future—initially contemplating a life as a nun but ultimately deciding to pursue journalism at her father's urging. May's first assignment as a cub reporter is set against the backdrop of a haunted house, where she encounters a mysterious old woman named Miss Watts and a sudden turn of events involving escaped convicts. As May navigates her first night on the assignment, she begins to realize both the excitement and dangers of her new career, foreshadowing the complex and often challenging experiences that await her in the world of newspaper reporting.
Adriana Spadoni
The swing of the pendulum
"The Swing of the Pendulum" by Adriana Spadoni is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Jean Norris, a recent college graduate, as she navigates her emotions and aspirations amid the backdrop of societal expectations and familial duties. Through Jean’s experiences with her friends and family, the narrative explores themes of ambition, personal freedom, and the complexities of relationships. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Jean Norris on her graduation day, feeling the weight of her academic achievements mixed with anxiety about her future. As she interacts with her friend Patricia and reflects on her mother’s oppressive sense of duty, it becomes clear that Jean feels trapped between her desires and her obligations. The graduates' celebrations soon give way to a sense of impending monotony as Jean grapples with thoughts of teaching, familial responsibilities, and the encroachment of societal norms on her individuality. The opening chapters effectively set the tone for a character-driven exploration of self-discovery, making the reader curious about how Jean will reconcile her ambitions with the expectations placed upon her.
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