female/feminist poets/writers

MadArchitect · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

You might also want to throw in S.E. Hinton, who pretty much revolutionalized juvenille fiction, and Judy Blume, who either scarred or liberated entire generations, depending on your point of view.

Has anyone mentioned Erica Jong, yet? And what's the name of the woman who wrote "The Story of O"? Ah, crap, and what's her name... Canadian writer... "The Blind Assassin", etc... too lazy to consult Amazon.

Based on "The Awakening" along, I can't say I'm a big fan of Kate Chopin. Can you maybe recommend something else worth reading by her, Rose?

irishrose · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:10 am Post subject:

Niall, despite what I am almost certain you, and probably others here, have assumed about me regarding gender issues, I have no torch to burn, nor rubbish to shovel. In fact, I think such gender-specific reading lists, like the above, are generally ill-advised. The only reason I submitted names was in response to your implication. And I assure you that my reaction to your comment is firmly rooted in observation and experience and not imagination.

Mad, surprisingly, as I practically grew up on Coppola’s Rumble Fish, I’ve never read any S.E. Hinton. I should probably read some of her work. I’ve never been inspired to try Judy Blume, but I could see her included on a list of juvenile fiction writers, though I don’t imagine her non-juvenile fiction would make any list. As for Jong, I only read Fear of Flying and, outside the zipperless (zipless?) fuck coinage, was largely unmoved. Though I enjoyed her often witty writing, I think the story may speak to an audience with which I don’t necessarily relate. That was years ago though, perhaps I should give it, or a different book, another chance. The Blind Assassin is Margaret Atwood, whom I included, but probably not because of The Blind Assassin, which, I thought could stand for some heavy editing. I think Atwood might be too prolific for her own good, but she does have some really interesting work.

As for The Awakening, I didn’t like it the first time through either. Because it was so topical, despite not really liking it, I included it in a research project a few years back, and grew to appreciate it more. That’s not to suggest that you give it a second chance. I actually included Chopin for her short stories, which I much prefer, particularly “The Story of an Hour,” “Wiser Than a God,” “Two Summers and Two Souls,” “The Locket,” and “The White Eagle.”

And, in looking up two of those short story titles in my Chopin collection, I noticed Sandra Cisneros on my bookshelf, who I can’t believe I missed before.

Also, not because I particularly like her myself, but because most would include her on their list of 20th century poets, Adrienne Rich. BTW, my not liking Rich has more to do with my not really enjoying poetry than with Rich herself.

Niall001 · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

irishrose · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject:

Do you mean in addition to the very existence of this thread and lists such as the one housed within? Rather than further derail bookclover’s inquiry, I’ll p.m. you, assuming I can figure it out on this new board.

irishrose · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject:


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