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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.

OP posts:
londonloves · 12/06/2018 06:24

Also, this might be a bit leftfield and less heavy weight than other suggestions - but Philippa Gregory and Allison Weir novels (and also Alison Weir non-fiction) tell history from the women's perspective and are brilliant reads.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 11/06/2018 19:54

Marilyn French - the Womens Room
Alice Walker - the Color Purple
Anything by Amy Tan.

Tinlegs · 11/06/2018 19:52

If she liked Jane Eyre why not try "Wide Sargasso Sea"?

Justrunwithit · 11/06/2018 19:48

These are all brilliant suggestions, thanks so much. Cold comfort farm - we might just watch it, I loved the Joanna Lumley / kate beckinsale version!

OP posts:
hackmum · 11/06/2018 14:40

I think Cold Comfort Farm is a must if you're from that kind of background.

bookbook · 11/06/2018 11:54

Dairy of an Unknown Woman by Margaret Forster - I loved this book, (though I was a bit disappointed at the end to realise it was fiction !)
I loved Wild Swans too :)

anonymice · 11/06/2018 11:53

The L shaped room
Precious Bane
Esther Waters

turkeyboots · 11/06/2018 11:49

If she likes fantasy or SciFi, Sheri S Tepper is a good read and very focused on experience of females.

Even if Fantasy isn't her thing, Beauty by Sheri S Tepper is a brilliant read.

londonloves · 11/06/2018 11:41

Memoirs of a Geisha
A Streetcar names desire
Lady Chatterley's lover
Madame Bovary

slipperyeel · 11/06/2018 11:37

Carol Shields- The Stone Diaries
Diary of Anne Frank
The Bell Jar

Agree with lastqueen, wild swans is a great choice

lastqueenofscotland · 11/06/2018 11:19

I read wild swans when I was about 15/16 and loved it.