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buttons_buttons's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
stephxsu's review against another edition
2.0
The writing is not too bad, as it reads easily, but the story is pretty mundane and directionless, with women in various stages of late-nineteenth-century feminism circling in or around the institution of marriage, and then ending up exactly where they started. Some critics claim that THE ODD WOMEN is a naturalist novel, in which everything must and will revert back to its original state of entropy. But I never got emotionally invested even in the characters’ long circle back to their original states. Overall, a mindless, slightly pleasant but mostly forgettable read.
musingswithmiranda's review against another edition
3.0
George Gissing’s The Odd Women was written in 1893 and is set during the Victorian period in England. This was my first time reading any of Gissing’s work, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was not expecting a male writer during this time to exhibit feminist ideology. The author takes inspiration from “odd women,” or the women who were left over as other men and women married, especially considering that women greatly outnumbered men during this time. However, some of these women simply made this choice of not marrying for themselves.
The Odd Women follows a variety of women who must navigate the expectations society sets for them. Most notably, this includes Alice Madden, Virginia Madden, Monica Madden, Mary Barfoot, and Rhoda Nunn. Gissing uses these characters to explore ideas about marriage and morals while testing the traditional ideas about women’s roles in society. Many believed that women must marry and have nothing else going for them. However, some of these women are “odd women” and use this role to advocate for female emancipation through job training and education. It is interesting to see how Gissing contrasts these main female characters with their different opinions about life and marriage. Readers follow them through many trials and tribulations among themselves and with men, but I personally was rooting for them all in the end.
Gissing’s The Odd Women is not only enjoyable and entertaining but insightful as well. I learned a lot more about “odd women” and feminist views during this time. I appreciated how well-written the novel was as well. However, some parts seemed to drag on and some characters were definitely more likable than others. I was also expecting a bit more out of the ending. Regardless, The Odd Women was a fun and interesting read.
The Odd Women follows a variety of women who must navigate the expectations society sets for them. Most notably, this includes Alice Madden, Virginia Madden, Monica Madden, Mary Barfoot, and Rhoda Nunn. Gissing uses these characters to explore ideas about marriage and morals while testing the traditional ideas about women’s roles in society. Many believed that women must marry and have nothing else going for them. However, some of these women are “odd women” and use this role to advocate for female emancipation through job training and education. It is interesting to see how Gissing contrasts these main female characters with their different opinions about life and marriage. Readers follow them through many trials and tribulations among themselves and with men, but I personally was rooting for them all in the end.
Gissing’s The Odd Women is not only enjoyable and entertaining but insightful as well. I learned a lot more about “odd women” and feminist views during this time. I appreciated how well-written the novel was as well. However, some parts seemed to drag on and some characters were definitely more likable than others. I was also expecting a bit more out of the ending. Regardless, The Odd Women was a fun and interesting read.
asiachudzik's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a genuinely gripping novel that explores modern themes I wouldn’t have expected to be discussed in that era. somewhat heartbreaking ending too.
tabitha997's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
420blazeit's review against another edition
1.0
the title of this book should've been "too bad, so sad", bc damn did everyone struggle in this book. had to read for my last history assignment and boy am i glad that is over. next time i wanna feel depressed about being a woman, i'll pick up this handy dandy novel. thanks george! #ripmonica
emilywoodruff's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
erboe501's review against another edition
2.0
Although the ending wasn't satisfying on a romantic level, it did on an intellectual one. None of these characters could've ended up in a different position.
Brings up some interesting questions about the nature of marriage.
Brings up some interesting questions about the nature of marriage.
piedwarbler's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for Victober.
Is Gissing a feminist? I am still unsure. It seems most of the trouble with marriages in this book can be laid at the feet of the women characters.
I struggled with the middle section, which read more like a tract than a novel, but, towards the end, the narrative drive picked up, and I enjoyed the denouement, although it seemed convenient for plotting purposes.
Gissing definitely seems very taken with Ruskin and his writings, and the novel is also rich with allusions to Shakespeare and classical themes. I enjoyed spotting these. The footnotes weren’t specially helpful and often pointed out the obvious.
I know it’s often said that the women characters are very well drawn. I didn’t find them all that convincing. I think Gissing is grappling with modern ideas about marriage and relationships but can’t quite separate himself from blaming his wives for their weaknesses.
Is Gissing a feminist? I am still unsure. It seems most of the trouble with marriages in this book can be laid at the feet of the women characters.
I struggled with the middle section, which read more like a tract than a novel, but, towards the end, the narrative drive picked up, and I enjoyed the denouement, although it seemed convenient for plotting purposes.
Gissing definitely seems very taken with Ruskin and his writings, and the novel is also rich with allusions to Shakespeare and classical themes. I enjoyed spotting these. The footnotes weren’t specially helpful and often pointed out the obvious.
I know it’s often said that the women characters are very well drawn. I didn’t find them all that convincing. I think Gissing is grappling with modern ideas about marriage and relationships but can’t quite separate himself from blaming his wives for their weaknesses.