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duarshe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Before saying anything I have to clarify that this review is focused on <i>The Awakening</i> alone, since I've not been able to get through all of the short stories yet and what I had to read for class was the novella. So because the rest of the stories were not mandatory I will just review what I needed to read and once I've read everything I'll make an edit or I'll update if my review has changed.
To be honest I think <i>The Awakening</i> has been one of the most enjoyable readings that I've had to read for class this year so far (together with <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</i>). Like with any other classic that I read I listened to an audiobook to go faster (since I'm always way behind schedule and need to finish everything ASAP, day in the life of a procrastinator). However, with Kate Chopin's novella I found myself many times pausing the audiobook and reading by myself to enjoy more what the narrator was telling, because I didn't want to skip any details. I love everything that this story has to tell and say, and the important message that it carries, so liberating and awakening (see what I did there?). It was neither too long, nor too ornamented with complicated words and sentences.
I guess the only thing left for me to say is: beware Alcée Arobin, I'm coming for your stupid ass, I don't like you.
To be honest I think <i>The Awakening</i> has been one of the most enjoyable readings that I've had to read for class this year so far (together with <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</i>). Like with any other classic that I read I listened to an audiobook to go faster (since I'm always way behind schedule and need to finish everything ASAP, day in the life of a procrastinator). However, with Kate Chopin's novella I found myself many times pausing the audiobook and reading by myself to enjoy more what the narrator was telling, because I didn't want to skip any details. I love everything that this story has to tell and say, and the important message that it carries, so liberating and awakening (see what I did there?). It was neither too long, nor too ornamented with complicated words and sentences.
I guess the only thing left for me to say is: beware Alcée Arobin, I'm coming for your stupid ass, I don't like you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicide
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
bluemaiden's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
bluemaiden's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A review just on The Awakening. I haven’t yet read the short stories.
I’ve been assigned this work twice now, and each time I’ve read it, I’ve loved it and gotten more out of it. It’s always incredible to me when a work from 100+ years ago still resonates so deeply. I hate how much I can empathize with Edna, but I appreciate having her as a character I can look to for comfort, almost, or maybe to feel seen and understood.
However, I can’t and won’t ignore how this narrative and other feminist narratives of this time period have huge issue regarding race and eugenics. Those topics need greater recognition and acknowledgement when early feminist media is discussed. It’s awful to think that these white women were begging for freedom and rights, yet would step on black women, poor women, disabled women, etc. to get where they wanted to be.
Both of these points of view can exist simultaneously, people!
I’ve been assigned this work twice now, and each time I’ve read it, I’ve loved it and gotten more out of it. It’s always incredible to me when a work from 100+ years ago still resonates so deeply. I hate how much I can empathize with Edna, but I appreciate having her as a character I can look to for comfort, almost, or maybe to feel seen and understood.
However, I can’t and won’t ignore how this narrative and other feminist narratives of this time period have huge issue regarding race and eugenics. Those topics need greater recognition and acknowledgement when early feminist media is discussed. It’s awful to think that these white women were begging for freedom and rights, yet would step on black women, poor women, disabled women, etc. to get where they wanted to be.
Both of these points of view can exist simultaneously, people!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Suicide
Moderate: Classism, Mental illness, Infidelity, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Racism, Death, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
mattiedancer's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Writing: 4.5⭐️/5
This novel/collection of stories is solidly written. There are more than a few beautiful passages. I found the writing stunning, woven together in a wonderful way, and I always felt drawn into the world. The way Chopin frames Edna’s frustration in her life is beautifully done. I felt drawn into the mental state of this woman through the clarity of the writing, and I appreciated that deeply. I do think that sections were perhaps slower than necessary at times, and that pulled me from the story every once in a while.
Characters: 4.5⭐️/5
The characters are fantastically crafted. Edna in particular felt alive, with her dreams and hopes hanging in the balance as she attempted to discover her true desires. I actually enjoyed the characterization of her husband as well, as he tries (and fails) to understand what’s going on with his wife. My only complaint with the characters is that I would have loved a bit more space and time spent on her and Robert’s relationship.
Plot: 4⭐️/5
It’s a feminist story written potentially well before its time. I enjoyed the flow of events, and I was captivated throughout at various moments. However, a small complaint: I did feel lost at the treatment and story around Edna’s children. I felt like that kept pulling me from the story.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of classics
- Fans of historical books with feminist twists
- Those looking for a read dedicated to characterization and character growth.
Content Warnings?
- Suicide, drowning, infidelity, sexism, racial slurs, racism, alcohol
Post-Reading Rating: 3⭐️/5
The end was a bit mixed for me.
Final Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
summermorning's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
alexashabit's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
fernbomb's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the writing, and the look into the past that this book provides.
However, this book has received and does deserve much criticism. A perfect example of white feminism, it is at times infuriating to read for the extreme cognitive dissonance that would have been required to advocate for liberation for rich, white woman but none for other oppressed people at the time. It’s wild to me that Kate Chopin could examine the systems that oppress her, but be completely blind to the systems that oppress others, which she directly benefited from. For example, the servants and caretakers are rarely ever mentioned by name in the book, but are instead mentioned by their racial classification at the time.
However, this book has received and does deserve much criticism. A perfect example of white feminism, it is at times infuriating to read for the extreme cognitive dissonance that would have been required to advocate for liberation for rich, white woman but none for other oppressed people at the time. It’s wild to me that Kate Chopin could examine the systems that oppress her, but be completely blind to the systems that oppress others, which she directly benefited from. For example, the servants and caretakers are rarely ever mentioned by name in the book, but are instead mentioned by their racial classification at the time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
dee_dreams's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Awakening features a frustrating, unrelatable, though somewhat sympathetic heroine whose story is made entertaining through Chopin's rich, colorful, page-turning prose. Replete with words like "befurbelowed" and French phrases, & set within a dreamy picture of 19th-century Louisiana, it goes at soap opera pace. The plot is as entertaining as it is stimulating, watching how women's role in society has both changed and not changed. The way that characters of colors are left nameless and reduced to only descriptions of their skin is repugnant, as is the heroine's enormous privilege. Much of the dialog is comically overdramatic. I found it charming. The realism of many passages is natural and makes it a joy to read. I found myself thoroughly entertained overall but deeply disappointed with the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicide
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
commander_morgan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
4.5
4.5 for the Awakening only. The short stories fell a little short for me, but I absolutely loved The Awakening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs