e Awakening, originally titled A Solitary Soul, is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899. Set in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast at the end of the 19th 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 ...
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e Awakening, originally titled A Solitary Soul, is a novel by Kate Chopin, first published in 1899. Set in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast at the end of the 19th 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 a mixed reaction from contemporary readers and critics.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.
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The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
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Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Good. Ships same day or next business day! UPS shipping available (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes). Used sticker and some writing and/or highlighting. Used books may not include working access code or dust jacket.
I was mad throughout most of this book. The way women are treated is just awful. I know that this is for some but not for me.
J
May 26, 2020
A LOCKDOWN MUST
Though much has changed, this novel allows its reader to recall the journey of the feminist, the difficulties, gains and losses faced when ingrained oppression through secular or otherwise religion blurs individualism. I read this book twice for clarity and can foresee revisiting it whenever uncertainty ensues.
Rebecca S
Jan 29, 2012
Women must read this
If you're a wife, mother, or just a woman who loves the sea, you must read this. It's a crime that it didn't get enough recognition at the time, read it now to do Kate Chopin some justice.
bohuslava h
Oct 12, 2010
Masterpiece
The novel AWAKENING is a masterpiece by Kate Chopin. She mastered the art of literary writing and criticizing the society in a harmonic way. This unconventional novel was supposed to open the eyes of patriarchal society but was rejected and caused an end to Chopin's career. Edna's awakening is overwhelming, once we realize the social and cultural background of the story. Edna does not conform to expectations from the society and fails to be a normative woman- wife and woman-mother. She starts to realize her own individuality and independence, however, the society in which she lives is not ready to accept such deviation yet.
SLOVAKIA
TeriK
Jan 12, 2010
Feminist -- Really?
I have always heard Chopin praised as a writer, and The Awakening touted as one of the first truly feminist works. Her writing style is unique. It's spare and detached. I neither liked or disliked the characters, and I believe Chopin meant us to read her book that way. It was a strange experience considering the plot. Her description are beautiful, her word choice excellent. How else could we feel we so understand her characters, while not feeling anything FOR them?
That's not completely true, though. I did become fond of Robert, and definitely came to dislike the main character, Edna. Totally self-absorbed, showing herself to be without any self discipline or control, Edna's 'awakening' took place with no concern for others. She freely admitted that she only cared for herself. That's one reason I can't think of this as a book on feminism, unless you use that term to mean women doing whatever they feel like at any given moment, however much they may damage others.
Don't let that make you think I felt The Awakening was a waste of time. The style alone makes it worth reading for those who don't only care only about plot. The simplicity of the relatively short book is an interesting contrast will all that goes on inside. Just don't go into it thinking you're opening a typical novel, and perhaps you won't be disappointed.