reading & read | cmr

The Awakening, by Kate Chopin

I'm shocked I did not know about this book before I found it at Normal's, just a thin little thing by the Byatt books. Written by Kate Chopin at the end of the 19th century, after her husband died, it's a story about a woman who realizes that she can do the things she wants. And I don't mean the usual when it comes to these matters (college, be a doctor, etc.) I mean simple things.

Mrs. Pontellier, in this novel, wants to practice her painting. She does, to her husband's chagrin. She wants to take walks. She wants to not be relied upon to be home for Tuesday visits. She wants to have the same independence of movement as her husband, deciding to go for a walk, to visit a friend, to read a book, and not seek out permission to do so. In the end, however, she still has two children, and for their sake, she must make a sacrifice.

I read the first ten pages and was sure it would only piss me off. Her husband, insolent, dense, putting her in her place. If it's not her job to look after the children, then whose is it? But I read on. I liked Mrs. Pontellier, but sometimes saw her as stubborn... but I was rooting for her through and through.

It's a quick read and I'm afraid I'm going to give it all away--so I suggest you pick an afternoon and just read it. It's great.

posted by christen roberts @ 9:06 AM