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‘Thoughtful’ books about womens’ experience

36 replies

Justrunwithit · 10/06/2018 21:34

Have a young woman in my life who is from a very sheltered, conservative, Christian background with limited education and exposure to the world (any part of the world!) . She likes reading though, and has read Austen. I’ve given her I capture the castle, pursuit of love, Rebecca and she’s really enjoyed them. I am going to try Jane eyre.

I’d like to try something a little more socially/politically challenging though (not my place to change her views but they are um... from a very strict patriarchal place whereas I guess I believe thinking from different angles is good). I think Handmaid’s Tale and Fingersmith would frankly be ideal but too out there for her right now... what would you suggest to be thought- provoking? Age presents as more like a western sixteen/seventeen year old if you see what I mean, but she is definitely smart. But raised to believe critical thought wrong and education sort of irrelevant Shock.

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ReginaBlitzkreig · 06/07/2018 18:44

What About 'Who Cooked the Last Supper? The Women's History of the World' by Rosalind Miles.

Ouroboros · 06/07/2018 10:30

I'm reading Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman at the moment which is pretty gentle but challenges lots of stereotypical perceptions of the differences between the sexes (sadly still relevant even though it was written 100 years ago). Maybe don't get the edition I'm reading which has a painting of a naked woman's body on the cover Wink

Nelly5566 · 03/07/2018 19:57

Great thread! Awesome suggestions! Thanks!

stargirl1701 · 25/06/2018 22:01

Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible or Flight Behaviour.

Geraldine McCaughrean

Not the End of the World.

franke · 25/06/2018 21:57

I've just read Barbara Comyns 'Our Spoons Came from Woolworths'. It's the story of a rather naive young woman who marries an artist and is set in 1930s London. It's an interesting writing style which is often at odds with the rather tragic content.

Silverstreaks · 25/06/2018 21:48

Woman on the edge of time by Marge Piercy. Read in my late teens and it still stays with me to this day. Powerful stuff.

DerfelCadarn · 25/06/2018 18:27

Also:
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent - novel from women's perspective on the Salem witch trials. Characters are devout Christians and not actually witches (obviously)

Sarah Dunant's novels about women in Renaissance Italy. The Birth of Venus is about a Florentine girl's relationship with a painter and the restrictions on her interest in art. Sacred Hearts focuses on life in a nunnery, which many of the girls have been forced to enter because their family can't afford a dowry (very common at the time).

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini on women's experience under the Taliban.

On a lighter note, Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett, about an army unit where a lot of the 'lads' signing up aren't quite what they seem (and have to put a sock down the front of their trousers to seem the part...) Part of the Discworld series, but it's a stand alone one and you don't have to have read any of the others.

exexpat · 25/06/2018 16:47

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver would be ideal.

DerfelCadarn · 25/06/2018 16:44

The Fraud by Barbara Ewing - historical novel set in 18th century about the barriers to a woman becoming an artist. (Does feature a grim abortion though, which might be too much)

JaneJeffer · 25/06/2018 16:29

Some Jackie Collins Grin

Hygge · 25/06/2018 16:10

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi if she would read the cartoon strip style of it.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I know it's based on a story from the Bible but it is more about women and how they interact.

The Innocents by Francesca Segal might be good, it's based on The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton but set in present day London.

And I agree, Anne Tyler might be a good choice too.

FadedRed · 20/06/2018 18:19

If you want Science fiction/fantasy, then Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey would be very suitable.

elkiedee · 20/06/2018 18:08

The Group sounds potentially rather shocking, and I say that as someone who read it first at 14 and then 40.

Anne Tyler sounds like a good suggestion.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie? Purple Hibiscus as well as Half of a Yellow Sun.

CaptainNelson · 19/06/2018 22:30

What about some Anne Tyler? I'm making some guesses about the cultural origins of your young woman and what would/wouldn't work. Anne Tyler's depictions of family might be very insightful for someone who comes from a place/culture where the family dynamic is very regulated and male-dominated. But not quite so shocking for her... Wink

alanvenya · 19/06/2018 16:11

from my bookshelf I would consider...

The Alice Network - Kate Quinn
Sula - Toni Morrison
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
Circling the Sun - Paula McClain
Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood

Justrunwithit · 18/06/2018 10:49

No, no, it’s a great suggestion and I was eyeing it on the shelf the other day, is t it so crazy that it could be considered too shocking!

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Toomuchsplother · 18/06/2018 06:19

Yes I did wonder that about the Winterson. Sorry! ShockGrin

ReginaBlitzkreig · 18/06/2018 00:02

The Group by Mary McCarthy: the experiences of a group of female Uni friends in 1940s America.
A Woman in Her Prime by Francis Selormey: lovely book about the life of a woman in rural, traditional West Africa.
The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley: child used as messenger by adults having clandestine affair. Beautifully written, nothing explicit, moral but also compassionate.
Any of Edith Wharton's books
Women in the 17th Century by Antonia Fraser.

Justrunwithit · 17/06/2018 23:53

Now I want to reread Mrs Gaskell and wildfell Hall...! All super helpful, thanks.

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Justrunwithit · 17/06/2018 23:53

Yes I love the l shaped room.

Omg Jeannette winterson I think she would fly home and her family would come after me with pitchforks Shock

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Sadik · 17/06/2018 17:57

I would definitely second The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (especially given it's also a brilliant book and a gripping story).

What about Mrs Gaskell - Mary Barton or North and South? Safely 'historical' & written from a deeply Christian perspective, but very radical, thoughtful books.

Toomuchsplother · 17/06/2018 00:07

If it doesn't have to be fiction the 21 Women in British History is an amazing book, it's be Jenni Murray.
Wuthering Heights, The tenant of Wildfell Hall spring to mind. Also Testament of Youth by Vera Britten.
Oranges are not the only fruit - Jeanette Winterson

DissertationDrama · 16/06/2018 19:56

I second the The L Shaped Room, that’s brilliant.

Try Every Day Sexism!

Jaimx86 · 12/06/2018 06:29

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 12/06/2018 06:27

The Red Tent
The Bookseller of Kabul