But before we start, lets define what we mean by literary. Below youll find 50 of the most challenging, encouraging, and empowering feminist books ya has to offer. Ursula le guin, the trailblazing science fiction and fantasy writer who was known for her feminist themes, has died at 88 at her home in portland, oregon. Womens, feminist, and lgbtq publishers the office of. Whether youre looking to brush up on the early days of the movement, inspired by modern day feminist heroes, or simply be astounded at how far weve come, these are the perfect feminist books. Now an emmywinning television series, atwoods the handmaids tale is a goldstandard of feminist speculative fiction. Feminist science fiction is a subgenre of science fiction abbreviated sf focused on theories that include feminist themes including but not limited to gender inequality, sexuality, race, economics, and reproduction. Chimamanda grew up in nigeria, was awarded a macarthur fellowship. An essay or paper on feminist themes in literature. Feminism is a range of movements and ideologies that share a common goal. Feminist sf is political because of its tendency to critique the dominant culture. Lesbian fiction, and especially lesfic romance, is filled with strong, feminist. Ecofeminism has grown since the 1970s, blending and furthering activism, feminist theory, and ecological perspectives. Bywater books publishes lesbian feminist literary fiction.
Over the past couple of months, ive fallen down a deep, dark fanfiction hole, and its left me considering one. Given the sheer number of feminist ya gems, compiling a list of essentials is undoubtedly a foolhardy taskand yet we simply couldnt help ourselves. There seem to be strong recurring themes of dystopia, anger, and navi. Whether feminists are writing books or reading them or both, the literary world has long been a place for women to tell their stories, in both fiction and nonfiction. Uh oh, i can hear the pitchforks coming out already. Chimamanda grew up in nigeria, was awarded a macarthur fellowship, and has emerged as one of the most prominent voices in. Stories about people challenging and overcoming gender roles, sexism, discrimination, etc. Similar books to novelists with feminist themes critical survey of long fiction kindle ereaders kindle 5th generation. Novelists with feminist themes and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. To give you some ideas on finding a book s theme, lets explore some of the most popular and discover examples of those themes in wellknown books. The handmaids tale by margaret atwood, the color purple by alice walker, the bell jar by sylvia plath, the awakening.
Whatever feminism means to you, its worth taking a look back at how and why the movement developed, beginning as far back as the early 1900s, and the writers and feminist books that continue to influence our lives todaywhether we know it or not. Culture books fantastic feminist fiction from the 20th century. Best feminist books feminist books every woman should read. The irreverent, transcendent, and utterly hilarious book is her debut that became an instant hit as a bestseller in england as well as an amazon uk top ten book of the year. Any fiction books that feature a feminist theme and or.
Here is a list of 10 books about ecofeminism to get you started. The feminist porn book a collection of essays from feminists in the pornography industry and those who study porn that both questions and celebrates the form. With yesterdays passing of one of the great feminist authors of all time, we sat down to think about how her writings have affected us, and how each of us read caged bird in class and began to. Feminist science fiction novels to read after the handmaids tale. One of our most recent renowned authors is chimamanda ngozi adichie who wrote we should all be feminists. By imagining alternative worlds and possible futures, feminist writers emphasize elements of womens experience that have been under or misrepresented in traditional fiction. Here are 50 of the best books from this year that are by and about women, feminism or gender and related intersectional issues. Bsb genre fiction includes all romance subgenres as well as action, adventure, crime, mysteryintrigue, and speculative fic scififantasyhorror. Feminist science fiction novels to read after the handmaid. November books from elizabeth strout, kamila shamsie, emma forrest, erin morgenstern and more.
Contributors to this feminist power tome include mindy kaling, malinda lo, wendy davis, and. Stories with characters of different races, sexual orientations, gender identities characters who struggle with mental illness, autistic characters, disabled characters, deaf characters, etc etc etc. Remember, however, that the messages in any piece of literature can go much deeper than this, but it will at least give you a good starting point. Its a powerhouse of a novel that i think is a must read for anyone, but.
Whether feminists are writing books or reading them or both, the literary world. Her newest book continues on this theme and is titled dear ijeawele, or a feminist manifesto in fifteen suggestions. Here we are features contributions by 44 writers, dancers, actors, illustrators, poets, and. Hear how writing romance novels is a feminist act, according to beautiful bastard author christina lauren. Some of these are modernday classics, some are fresh off the press. A feminist speculative fiction anthology, edited by ann vandermeer and jeff vandermeer 2015 female erasure. Poets combines hiphop themes and rhythms with the experiences of. The novel made me think a lot about our need to feel in control but also. The story has a lot of depth regarding its story and its characters and also covers so many important themes and. Some are overtly feminist, while others are less obviously but no less powerfully so. Print purchase includes free online access critical survey of long fiction harpsc edition. A guide to the best feminist books and books about women, including. Sister outsider lyrically reflects on themes such as racism, class, and.
Which means that some of your favorite fiction books are probably also laden with many feminist themes and tropes which you didnt even notice. Of course, no list could fully address all of the feminist books out there, so simply consider this a starting point. The second book in rhiannon thomass epic retelling of sleeping beauty combines adventure, magic, and romance for a sweeping fantasy about one girls journey to fulfill her destiny. Many writers, after having published a book with a big house, prefer to publish with independent publishers. What you need to know about gender politics war on women, the female sex and human rights, edited by ruth barrett 2016. From one of the most singular presences in american fiction comes a searingly intelligent book of essays on matters literary, social, cultural, and personal. The 11 best fiction and feminist reads for november. But get started quickly, before pence gets his hands on a uterus near you. We asked our readers for their mustread classic books.
The handmaids tale by margaret atwood, the bell jar by sylvia plath, the color purple by alice walker, their eyes were. Novelists with feminist themes critical survey of long. So lets explore some of the most literary science fiction novels. We often turn to fiction for feminist themes and characters and representations, and there are some really great works of fiction with dope. The story follows offred, a member of the fertile female servant class. Many people want to connect feminism and environmental justice but arent sure where to begin. I am the author of chained free a fiction book regarding slavery but an untold story. Dont let the word feminist deter youthese books are required reading for anybody who believes in equality, freedom, and womens rights. This research examines how feminist themes surface in and resonate with the pattern of ideas in three works written by charlotte perkins gilman, the yellow wallpaper, a short story. But smiths visceral, multilayered novel is thick in. Important too is the inclusion of usually underrepresented voices in this conversationyoull find stories of trans men and women. Any fiction books that feature a feminist theme and or diverse cast but isnt inyourface about it. The book is a non fiction memoir that documents her early life that includes views on feminism.
Its been a place for women to do so on their own terms, not through male intermediaries. The first book in the classic french series sees little madeline, who lives in a home for. And of course, with so much feminist literature out there, this list is not exhaustive. The madwoman in the attic by sandra gilbert and susan gubar. Were talking about serious books that are more concerned with having something to say than telling a story. Personalize your reading list by genre, time period, geographical setting and a wide range of themes, crossreference two categories, and more. Some of the most notable feminist science fiction works have illustrated these themes using.