You’re walking down the street, and you see a "performative male” pass you by. This guy is wearing a quarter zip jacket, sipping on a matcha, wearing wired earbuds, and the cherry on top, holding a classic feminist literature novel upside-down. While this “performative” stereotype is characterized by reading books by women authors relating to worldly issues, there are many novels in this category that are real and raw, not just a trend.
Here is a list of my favorite feminist literature novels that make a statement on their own, while not being performative.
Let us slide into your dms 🥰
Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)1. Gardenias by Faith Sullivan
After leaving her husband when he gambles all their money away, Lark must figure out life in a post-WWII America with her mother and aunt. The story follows the women as they find their place in the world, even when it seems like it is crashing down. Lark struggles to get back on her feet and build a new life after facing loss and confusion, but the novel highlights the importance of trusting family and taking risks to get to your dreams.
What makes this one of my favorite novels is that it is set mainly in Southern California, an area I am very familiar with. It has a great natural reading pace and continues a unique voice throughout the book. The writing style is very intriguing and doesn't leave the reader bored or wondering when it "gets good".
Image Credit: Le Duc from Pexels
Take the Quiz: Which Harry Potter Character Are You?
Find out which character matches your personality!
2. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Written in the 1960’s, this novel became an instant classic in the world of feminist literature. Semi-autobiographical, Plath tells the story of a woman going through the struggles of relationships, mental health, and the working life of a young woman. Mental health was a very hushed topic in the 1960's, so her revealing of the inner workings behind this social stigma was a large step towards its normalization and acceptance for women and men alike.
I read this novel over the course of a weekend, soaking in the words faster than a sponge. Many parts of the story were relatable to a young girl finishing her education and trying to find her place in the world, like me. When I first started it, I knew it was a popular book, but I had no idea it would instantly become one of my favorites altogether.
From start to end, I could hardly put it down. I didn't even want to finish it because then it would be over.
Image Credit: Boshoff from Pexels
3. Little Women by L.M Alcott
With 4 sisters and their mother during the American Civil War, Little Women reveals the heart of sisterhood in daily life during a time of dire need. With their father gone, the girls must sustain themselves and stay hopeful through grief, growing up, and the unexpected eventfulness that is life itself. This novel has heart, character, and authenticity missing in a lot of today’s literature, making it a great classic to go back to time and time again.
I got my copy of Little Women from my mom when I was in elementary school. The first time it took a while to complete because I was new to the way classic books were written, but I still enjoyed it, nonetheless. When I revisited it during a school break in high school, I found it to be even better the second time. It is a great novel to cuddle up in the blankets with and feel all the coziness of the words pouring out.
Image Credit: Lach from Pexels
4. Lives of Women and Girls by Alice Mon
Small-town novels are always a delight to read, but Lives of Women and Girls explores many other topics of womanhood alongside life in a rural area. The mother and daughter characters themselves claim to be feminist artists, but the novel highlights their intrapersonal growth when faced with restrictions and social expectations.
When I saw this book in the store, I originally bought it as a Christmas gift for a friend. She enjoyed the weekend read and told me I should read it, as well. While it isn't one of my top-rated favorite books, it is still a good one. It showcases a good mix of the relationship between the daughter and mother in a great voice and fits the themes of feminist literature while being new and exciting.
5. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
After running away from an abusive father, Lily Owens finds refuge with 3 beekeeping sisters, May, June, and August. While dealing with the guilt of her own mother's death, Lily develops motherly figures from the different women in her life, including some of the sisters, her caretaker, and religious persons. The novel explores many themes, including race, womanhood, and love- always relevant themes.
The eccentric characters, who are also filled with love, made the Secret Life of Bees like something I've never read before. There are many stories in this world, so sometimes you come across something similar, or even if they are different, it can be a boring plot. This novel has neither of those things; it is a unique story that captured my attention and gathered my friend's attention, as well. Two of my friends have also read this book, and we all agree it is a well-written, entertaining novel.
Image Credit: Glazunov from Pexels
When these novels were written, their authors could never have imagined a social media movement revolving around their stories. The messages in these words held great strength in recounting real-life occurrences, without being swayed by a trend. If you want to read a moving tale, these novels are a great place to start.