The Yellow Wallpaper

[suwoo]

I just spent about 10 minutes reading this after seeing it on my reading list for next year (English lit degree) and reading about it on here.

I loved it. In response to Reality's thread about feminisim ruining fiction, I would agree, but I also feel enlightened by my recent feminsit literary theory lectures. I am enjoying seeing a range of cultural texts (to include film & TV) in a new light.

Any other 'Madwoman in the attic' texts I can squeeze in between my reading list plays/novels? (Apart from Jane Eyre which I plan to enjoy in a leisurely fashion in the summer hols)

do you mean literally?
have you read Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, which is the Jane Eyre story from the mad wife's perspective?

also South Riding has a mad wife which is clearly a Jane Eyre reference.

I've just ordered a History of Bedlam - obviously not fiction though.

And not a mad woman in the attic thing but you must read The Woman In White if you haven't done so already. :)

Belligerent I have read it, but previous to this new information. My assignment for my cultural and literary theory module is a close reading from a feminist perspective of a small section (I can't remember which section) of The Woman in White.

Seth I think I read that many years ago, but will definitely do so again, thanks. I am loving the newly realised intertextuality.

Any other novels you would recommend? I have Orlando here to squeeze in next.

Emma Bovary?
Thérèse Raquin?

We did a close reading of 'The vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' in the seminar last week, I had previously read and enjoyed it. (It's a bit chick lit, though, non?). That just sprung to mind when you mentioned Bedlam, Belligerant

Madame Bovary is coming up next year and I will be reading it in the summer holidays.

Effi Briest? None of these in attics but think you might like.

Loved The Yellow Wallpaper too- I shall watch this with interest.

Please read Effi Briest next, if you haven't already, you'll love it. Severe urge to re-read now myself.

Ok, your keeness is obvious. Is that the author or title and are they likely to have it in the uni library? If so, will get it on Friday

they should have it! Is Fontane (author) and Effi Briest is the title.

here is wikipedia article

Ok thanks. Will let you know

How about Antonia White's Frost in May trilogy? I haven't read it since I was a teenager, but think it's time to have another go with feminist goggles on.

Another one here who loved the yellow wallpaper

Ooh, Effi Briest is free for Kindle not one I've read.... thanks!

I loved Therese Raquin.

Keep meaning to read the Yellow Wallpaper.

The thing about The Yellow Wallpaper for me is how it is so dense and packed for such a short piece, it feels way looonger, if that makes sense!!

Have you read the Gilbert & Gubar (is it them?) book on the madwomen in the attic?

As per your recommendation su, I've just read the yellow wallpaper. It's brilliant, thank you. Now just wondering if I carry on my feminist nineteenth century novella journey with The Awakening, or delve back into Pride and Prejudice for the billionth time.

You would probably really enjoy this Daughters of Decadence.

Mrs Henry Wood (not a very feminist name!) wrote a book about a woman who leaves her husband and children for another man, regrets it, then gets horribly disfigured in an accident. The husband remarries and the mother - who is patently bonkers - returns to her children as their governess. No one knows until the end when she is dying and her husband recognises her. Can't remember the title but it is a great, if mad,book.

East Lynne! I wrote about that in my undergrad dissertation on governesses in 19th cent lit. Happy days.

Thank you! I was being lazy really as I have it on my shelf. Did you enjoy it? I love sensation fiction.

Yes, I did enjoy it, although it is some years back now. I had that lovely sense of "discovering" it because I picked it up in a secondhand book shop when I was looking for material for my dissertation.

Thinking of that era-ish, there's The Beth Book by Sarah Grand (floating around in a Virago reprint) & Diana of the Crossways by George Meredith (also floating around in Virago reprint). I really enjoyed The Beth Book in particular.