Subject
Women -- Employment -- Fiction Books
Best books
George Gissing
The Odd Women
"The Odd Women" by George Gissing is a novel published in 1893. Set in Victorian England, where women vastly outnumber men, the story follows several unmarried women navigating a society that expects marriage but offers few prospects. Among them are Rhoda, who runs a secretarial school while resisting romance, and Monica, trapped in a suffocating marriage born of desperation. As jealousy, pride, and conflicting principles collide, these women face impossible choices between independence and convention, love and survival.
Louisa May Alcott
Work: A Story of Experience
"Work: A Story of Experience" by Louisa May Alcott is a semi-autobiographical novel published in 1873. Christie Devon, a twenty-one-year-old orphan, leaves her relatives to support herself independently. She moves through various jobs—housekeeper, actress, governess, companion, seamstress—encountering friendship, tragedy, and injustice along the way. Drawing from Alcott's own workforce experiences, the story explores women's labor, personal independence, social reform, and mental health in the years surrounding the American Civil War.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
What Diantha Did
"What Diantha Did" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a novel written during the late 19th century. The book centers on the life of Diantha Bell, a young woman who grapples with societal expectations regarding women's roles, personal ambition, and family duty. The narrative unfolds in a domestic setting, introducing key characters like her mother, Mrs. Bell, and her fiancé, Roscoe Warden, who faces burdens of his own as he manages family debts and the grocery store after his father's death. The opening of the novel establishes the contrasting backgrounds of Diantha and the Warden family, highlighting themes of financial struggle and gender roles. Diantha is depicted as determined and practical, contrasted against the Warden family's reliance on male support. As the story begins, Diantha's sense of obligation to her family and her desire for personal fulfillment come into conflict, prompting her to consider leaving home to seek work. This decision sets the stage for the exploration of societal pressures faced by women in the late 19th century, particularly the choice between domesticity and independence. The emotional dynamics between Diantha, her family, and Roscoe introduce the complexities of love, duty, and aspiration that will likely drive the narrative forward.
Helen R. (Helen Rose) Hull
Labyrinth
"Labyrinth" by Helen R. Hull is a novel written in the early 20th century. This story delves into the complex challenges faced by its main character, Catherine Hammond, as she navigates motherhood, self-identity, and the societal expectations of her time. The narrative intricately weaves themes of personal fulfillment and family dynamics, particularly as Catherine contemplates returning to work while balancing her roles as a wife and mother. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Catherine's idyllic life in the country with her children. The opening scenes depict a day filled with simple family interactions, though it quickly becomes evident that beneath the surface happiness lies a yearning for something more in Catherine's life. As she engages with her children—Letty, Spencer, and Marian—it becomes clear that her daily routine is weighed down by feelings of monotony and a desire for personal recognition. Conversation with her husband, Charles, reveals a growing discontent with her domestic life and a longing for intellectual stimulation, leading her to consider taking a job, a decision that will have implications for her entire family.
Amy Levy
The Romance of a Shop
"The Romance of a Shop" by Amy Levy is a novel published in 1888. When their father's death leaves them in poverty, the Lorimer sisters make a bold decision: they will open their own photography business in London. As they navigate the challenges of running a shop, they encounter prejudice, artistic circles, and romantic entanglements. The sisters struggle to maintain their independence while facing social expectations, financial pressures, and personal tragedies that threaten both their business and their futures.
Charles G. (Charles Gilman) Norris
Bread
"Bread" by Charles G. Norris is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows the Sturgis family, particularly the eldest daughter Jeannette, as they navigate the challenges of poverty and aspirations in New York City. The family's struggles revolve around their financial hardships and the impact these challenges have on their daily lives and future prospects. The opening of the book introduces Jeannette Sturgis, who is frustrated by her family's dire financial situation and her mother's dependence on the meager income from music lessons. When Jeannette realizes they can't even afford a loaf of bread, tensions arise, leading her to take charge of their financial future by considering dropping out of school and getting a job. As she embarks on this new path, her strong resolve contrasts sharply with her mother's desires for her daughters to lead more genteel lives. The reader sees the dynamics in their family and the social pressures that shape their identities, setting the stage for Jeannette's journey toward independence amidst the looming challenges she faces as a working girl.
Eliza Orzeszkowa
Marta
"Marta" by Eliza Orzeszkowa is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Marta, a young widow navigating the struggles of motherhood and poverty in Warsaw. As she reflects on her past and contemplates her future, she grapples with societal expectations of women and the harsh realities of her new life. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Marta as she stands on the threshold of a new chapter in her life, surrounded by the remnants of her past following her husband's death. Dispossessed, she faces the emotional and financial challenges of single motherhood, with her daughter Janja as her only companion. As they move into a new, more modest apartment, the narrative delves into Marta's memories of her happier days, contrasting her past joys with her current hardships. The opening captures Marta's vulnerability while hinting at her determination to forge a better future for herself and her child despite the obstacles ahead.
Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
Phoebe, Junior
"Phoebe, Junior" by Mrs. Oliphant is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Phoebe Tozer, the daughter of a prominent deacon and an ambitious minister’s wife, as she navigates the complexities of social standing, personal ambition, and family expectations. The narrative unfolds in the town of Carlingford, highlighting themes of social ascent and the judgments that accompany it, especially within the realm of Dissenting religious communities. The opening of the novel introduces us to Phoebe Beecham, who has recently married the Reverend Mr. Beecham. Their marriage is met with mixed feelings from the congregation as they grapple with the social dynamics of their community, particularly in light of Beecham’s humble beginnings as a minister. Phoebe’s sense of elevation and her boldness in embracing her new role provoke jealousy and disdain among others in her social sphere. The chapter sets the stage for Phoebe’s journey towards self-discovery amid societal scrutiny and her internal conflict about her family legacy, foreshadowing her future decisions and significant interactions, particularly with the boastful Mr. Copperhead and his affluent circle.
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