Edna Pontellier is an unlikable character in an historically significant book about female emancipation and sexual autonomy
Author: Kate Chopin
Released: April 1899
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 120
Audiobook Length: 5 hours (approx.)
Acclaim
Viewed as a landmark piece of early feminist literature.
Review
In 1899, the time of its first publication, it received mixed reviews. Some heralded it as clever. Others scorned the author for writing about such indecencies as marital infidelity and female sexuality.
The Awakening was pulled from publication and forgotten for over half a century. A second edition was finally published in 1964 and has since become required reading in universities throughout.
It is within this context that I enjoyed the short read.
Edna Pontellier, the main character, finds herself unsatisfied in the role of mother and wife. She sets out to explore her own needs and free herself from constraints whether real or imagined. Through the lens of modern eyes, she is a character difficult to sympathize with. I simply don't find her especially likable. However, as an historical piece of literature, it is a work of art.
To read it was to bask in the muggy warmth of a Louisiana night. With all its charm, pleasantries, and sultry energy.
Watch the Movie
A made-for-cable movie was made in 1991 based on The Awakening. Titled Grand Isle, it is often verbatim to the book. You can find it here for free to watch. It's approximately an hour and a half long. It's charming in the sense that early 90s productions are.
About the Author
In July 1899 Kate Chopin wrote a response in regard to negative press. Stating about her book:
Having a group of people at my disposal, I thought it might be entertaining (to myself) to throw them together and see what would happen. I never dreamed of Mrs. Pontellier making such a mess of things and working out her own damnation as she did. If I had had the slightest intimation of such a thing I would have excluded her from the company. But when I found out what she was up to, the play was half over and it was then too late.
I adore this response. Essentially saying, "Heavens me, it wasn't my doing but Mrs. Pontellier who caused all this ruckus."
In a world where women were not sovereign beings with their own full rights, how could the author be held accountable for such folly? I can feel Kate Chopin's clever charm in this statement over 100 years later and it brings a smile to my face.
Sadly, she would never publish any stories after and was left to the dustbins of history until the mid- 1950s when a copy of the book was rediscovered.
Content Warnings
The book was written in the late 19th century and as such social structures in the book reflect the time of its creation.
Verdict
Score: 8.6/10
The writing was rich. Though the main character was lacking in reader appeal. Had this book been written today I wouldn't be able to recommend it. But in the context of history and its shattering of norms within its time period, I enjoyed it. In fact, I will be adding more of Kate Chopin's short stories to my reading list.
Pick it up at your library, local bookstore, favorite online retailer, or read it for free here.
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