The Awakening by Kate Chopin

I am happy to finally be reading another book by a woman.  In my estimation there are not nearly enough women authors represented on the ML or RR list.  Some of this really bad stuff by guys could surely have been shuttled onto the 101+ list to make room for a few more women.  If you are counting there appear to be about 18 women authors represented on this list in contrast to about 90 men authors. 

At any rate, this book is one I have heard of for years, you see it referenced every now and then with words like “shocking” and “controversial” for its time.  It was first published in 1899 so I’m not sure why it is on this list of 20^th century novels, but I digress. 

There isn’t that much shocking about it today.  It is set in and around New Orleans near the end of the 19^th century about a wife and mother who is not thrilled about being either.  She has however learned to play the game and may be content if not exactly happy until a summer spent among the Creole people (her husband is a Creole) on Grand Isle.  Edna Pontellier “had apprehended instinctively the dual life—that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions” and until her meeting with Robert LeBrun, her learning to swim in the ocean, her love of the music played by Madamoiselle Ruiz she has more or less conformed. 

When the family (Mr. Pontellier and her two small boys) return to their home in New Orleans things are different.  Mr. Pontellier thinks his wife has some sort of mental unbalance as she refuses to “observe les convenances if [they] ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession.”    Isn’t that just like a man?  You suddenly don’t want to put up with his crap so you must be crazy “…he could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.” 

We don’t have to have lived in that time to know that no good can come to a woman who refuses to be the dutiful wife, mother, and hostess that is absolutely her role as assigned to her by society.  This was actually a very good book, maybe I would find it great if Edna had lived happily ever after although  I think I understand her reasons for not doing so.  I would recommend it for anyone interested in novels from “back in the day.”  It is well written and an easy read.

Next week:  Ernie reads "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote