Finished 12-14-09, rating 4.5/5, fiction, pub. 1899
In short, Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-woman. The mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle. It was easy to know them, fluttering about with extended protecting wings when any harm, real or imaginary, threatened their precious brood. They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy priviledge to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels
Chapter IV
Edna Pontellier is a young woman living in New Orleans in the late 1880’s, Her life, like that of most ladies at that time, revolves around her husband, children, and social calls. Then one summer while she and her family were on Grand Isle, she becomes enamoured with Robert Lebrun, who returns the interest in kind. As Edna feels propriety fall away, her new way of looking at her life makes her a changed woman and unhappy. Edna is a woman who is stuck in a box and she longs to break free.
This is a re-read for me. I read it in college and loved it. It’s on my Top 100 list and it will likely be there for quite some time. There is a profound beauty in the writing and with Edna’s awakening that left much for thought. There were passages that moved me, made me think, and defined the times. I cannot get into too much discussion without ruining the end, but I would recommend this book as a thoughtful classic.
Kate Chopin was very sensitive to criticism and the harshness of her detractors over this book forced her to stop writing altogether. This was her last novel and it is a shame she never got the recognition she deserved when she was alive. People seem to think you need to agree with Edna’s decisions to appreciate the book. I think that is missing the point. But that’s just me.
I chose to read this as part of a book group that Em at The Many Thoughts of a Reader is hosting. Feel free to stop by her blog as she and others discuss it. I think I may be the only one who loves it 🙂
This book was from my personal library.
You will choose 50 of the books I will read next year. If you help me you could win a $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Go here to vote. (Right now the top vote getter is A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving)
Stacy's Books 
I’ve thought about your quote from yesterday’s teaser and now I think I get it. Which person is the real Edna is a great question for discussion. It sounds like a topic that affects many women. I’m glad you enjoyed the book.
It does make you think.
That’s a shame the author stopped writing. This sounds like a really good book.
I’m not great with criticism either, so I feel her pain.
You’ve really got my curiosity up about this one.
I read this a few month after graduation from college. I was in NEED of a lot of female authors (I went to “the great books” college) and Kate Chopin was wonderful. I’ve often wanted to reread this book, and now I think I will. Thanks for the review.
This wasn’t included in the ‘great books’? I’m hoping to read a few of the short stories included in the book when I have more time. I love her writng style.
I saw this movie and I think that I would definitely enjoy reading the book better.
I didn’t even realize there was a movie. I’ll have to look for it.
I still need to get motivated to write my review.. However, every time I start my mind goes blank or it wanders. 🙂
Look forward to your final thoughts.
I read this in college too but I think I wasn’t able to appreciate it as much as I would now. And that is a terrible shame about the author’s reaction to criticism.
Maybe I liked it more because I did read it in college and loved it?
I haven’t read The Awakening yet. It seems to be one of those books that I keep meaning to read but somehow don’t get around to.
I completely agree with you. I finally read this in the past 6 months, and throughly enjoyed it. I felt bad for both Chopin and Edna. I would never want to be in that sort of position and couldn’t imagine being so. Make due with what you have 🙂