“Girls are different,” a Russian boy band once sang, and no one has yet decided to argue with him. On the eve of spring and in the name of beauty, the editors of the site have prepared a special list of books: about women who have something to learn from.
Learn, get inspired, and most importantly, read if you haven't already...
1. William Thackeray: Vanity Fair
“Perhaps I, too, would be a good woman if I had five thousand pounds a year, and I could potter in the nursery and count the apricots on the trellises.”
Who doesn't know Becky Sharp? Today she would be called a careerist with a shark-like grin, but the thought of working for Becky never crossed her mind. If the royal title were given for vanity, Becky would certainly deserve it. A novel without a hero, as Thackeray himself stated, does not need a hero at all, because little Miss Sharp rules the English kingdom. The self-confident, self-centered and cunning governess spread like a black spot on the immaculate canvas of prim English society. And in order to earn your first 1,000,000, you just need to achieve the patronage of an authoritative old lady, make the titled person fall in love with you and forget about the fact that “flattery is vile, harmful...”.
2. Peter Hoeg: “Smilla and her sense of snow”
“I'm not perfect. I prefer snow and ice."
The intellectual Smilla knows seventy definitions of snow, and her passion for numbers and calculations helped her solve the crime. But the detective line seems like just a small entertainment for Peter Høeg, compared to how he manages to reveal the female potential of his heroine. Rationalism gets along with sensuality, and mathematics becomes a convincing prologue to a new life. “Smilla and Her Feelings of Snow” is proof that even science can be useful in everyday life and in love.
3. Karin Alvtegen: “Loss”
“He had no grief. Why should she share hers with him?”
The main character of “Loss” is a woman of no fixed abode, who is also accused of murder, and all because this is a psychological thriller for which chases and nighttime gatherings in a cemetery are commonplace, although far from feminine. And it all started harmlessly! No one could have predicted the criminal twist if not for the clues: the declared genre and annotation. On one of her walks, “airing out her difficult teenage memories,” the heroine meets a guy with whom her love ends in pregnancy and a psychiatric hospital. But don’t be alarmed: “Loss” answers a question that is far from marginal, but philosophical: “How to live after losing absolutely everything.” Agree, the question is relevant for both sexes.
4. Theodore Dreiser: “Sister Carrie”
“In your rocking chair by the window, you will dream of such happiness that you will never know!”
A story about a provincial girl from a classic of American literature, who was lucky enough to live the rest of his life in Hollywood. We did not omit this detail, because at the beginning of his creative career, Dreiser gave his heroes the notorious American dream, until the dream turned into tragedy (“American Tragedy”). A young girl with the makings of an actress heads to Chicago; on the train she meets an entrepreneur who is not averse to becoming her patron, which in itself is not bad for the start of the book and for Kerry’s career. For some, this whole story will end well, such as for Kerry, for others, it will end at all. And no matter how we feel about the characters, the feeling of being “deceived” after meeting Kerry is guaranteed. But how beautifully Dreiser misled us!..
5. Victoria Platova: “Bye-bye, baby!”
“Baby was born a skier. However, with the same success she could have been born a paratrooper, climber, biker, pearl fisher. She was born a baby, and that explained everything.”
Synopsis of “Bye-bye, baby!” indecently simple. The main character was betrayed by her loved one, in other words, she was cheated on. What does a woman usually do in such stories? Either he throws a scandal or turns a blind eye to what is happening. Our heroine decides to confront the homewrecker. At this turn, Platov is stopped by the literary conveyor belt, and it is impossible to predict the plot further; no summary will help. “Bye-bye, baby!” special in many ways, but primarily because the drama will reach its highest temperature before you even feel it.
6. Masha Tsareva: “Unsweet Life”
“Nastya was so nervous that it seemed to her that her heart was beating somewhere in her throat, and she had to clench her teeth tightly so as not to inadvertently spit it out on the golden Italian tile.”
Arriving from the provinces to Moscow, the heroine Tsareva, according to the classics of the genre, gets into trouble. On the very first day of her stay in the capital, Moscow performed a cruel romance for Nastya. But the girl does not despair, finds a decent job and begins to climb up the rickety ladder, not forgetting the existence of glossy magazines. A light story about the triumph of goodness in the glamor of the capital's jungle. As a bonus to career growth, there is a detailed description of the life of a bohemian, for whom the color pink still matters.
7. Tom Wolfe: “I am Charlotte Simmons”
“Apparently, these were guy hunters who had returned from the “caramel run.”
Charlotte Simmons joins the list of lonely provincial girls. This panoramic epic (1004 pages) about American students and the “it” generation should not leave any university library unattended. There is no need to become obvious in order to catch all the plot moves. Tom Wolf, of course, will have a lot of parties, poor athletes, cheerleaders with standard parameters and failed poets. For anyone else who nostalgically remembers or experiences class inequality in the modern education system, Charlotte Simmons will become an exemplary literary character.
8. David Lawrence: Lady Chatterley's Lover
“She was the living embodiment of rebellion, the antithesis of hopelessness.”
A brutal forester, a respectable gentleman in a wheelchair and his wife - it’s not difficult to guess who is who in this love triangle.
The novel succeeded in two ways: in its frank description of love scenes against the backdrop of oak groves and in its unexpected denouement. When in other novels the lover dies either in a car accident or from a fatal disease, in “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” the forester and the young baroness live happily ever after, because for Lady Chatterley a woman’s happiness is above all the blessings of civilization.
9. Irwin Shaw: "Lucy Crown"
“Like a counterfeiter, I replaced my true values with counterfeit checks that no one would ever accept.”
One of the screenwriters of the film Ulysses, based on the novel by James Joyce, writes about the complex relationship between mother and son. A 13-year-old boy cannot stand his mother's betrayal and has not maintained contact with her for 18 years. If the cruelty of her son can be justified, then a sane woman can hardly explain Lucy’s indifference to her own child, which, however, did not stop the female half of the readers from parsing the book into quotes. The main thing to understand here is that Lucy's story is not about how not to make mistakes, but about how to live in spite of them.
10. Arthur Haley: "Strong Medicine"
“I believe that all of us on the front line of commerce must be open, honest and, when necessary, able to criticize each other.”
This time, Arthur Haley's production novel (Hotel, Airport, Evening News) is about doctors. Or more precisely, that medicine is the same “money industry” as show business. At the center of the story, with a powerful cocktail of feelings of self-interest, ambition, honor and dignity, is a woman who has gone from an ordinary agent to the president of a pharmaceutical company. During the day she saves people and punishes “bad guys”, and in the evening she raises children and prepares family dinner. Superwoman, who seems to have just catapulted from the pages of American comic books, will teach you how to get 1000 things done in 24 hours. “Strong medicine” will appeal to girls who dream of being the boss.
Text: Tatiana Wright
Victoria DucaWhat unites quiet British Jen Eyre, Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, wild Swedish hacker Lisbeth Salander and Lydia Ginzburg, repressed during the years of Stalin's terror? Strength of spirit, will, the desire to live, to take revenge, not to give up. ELLE has chosen ten books whose heroines can easily put any macho man to shame.
"Jane Eyre", Charlotte Brontë
The most important novel for British and world literature was first published under the title “Jane Eyre, an autobiography.” Despite the fictional name of the main character, Jen and the author, Charlotte Brontë, have a lot in common. Both lost loved ones, suffered from loneliness and lack of love, and both eventually got married. Both Jane and Charlotte Brontë knew how to take a punch. Life, however, turned out to be harsher than fiction: the writer died at the age of 38. But Jane Eyre lives today on the pages of the great novel, each time confirming that incredible strength can hide in a small, fragile woman.
The Hunger Games Trilogy
Stephen King called Katniss Everdeen a "tough guy" and the Daily Telegraph called her "a heroine who sets a good example for schoolgirls, demonstrating that there are other things to do at a young age than moping over boys." Add to this prudence, a thirst for revenge and justice - and the portrait of a role model for millions of teenagers is ready. However, without a super successful film adaptation, this portrait would be incomplete. Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss perfectly, a girl who amazingly combines youth with willpower and charisma.
"Step forward. The Story of a Girl Who Lost Her Legs and Learned to Dance by Amy Purdy
Amy Purdy is 38 years old. She has used prosthetics for almost half of her life. When she was 19, Amy contracted bacterial meningitis. Every tenth sick person, as a rule, dies on the first day. Purdy did not die either on the first day or later - she remained alive, but lost both legs below the knees. Then there was a kidney transplant taken from my father. Six months later, Amy started snowboarding. On dentures.
Result: second place at the Snowboard World Championships, second place at the World Cup in Sochi. Filming in films and TV series. Participation in Madonna's American Life video. Management of a non-profit organization helping people with disabilities. Projects with Oprah Winfrey, participation in the show “Dancing with the Stars”. Happy marriage. Writing a book that actually became a bestseller (co-authored with New York Times journalist Michelle Burford, who specializes in these types of stories). A very inspiring (I don’t want to write “motivating”) book.
Melvin Matthews came to Soviet Moscow in the early 60s to attend graduate school at Moscow State University. There he met student Lyudmila Bibikova. The young people fell in love with each other and decided, as they said then, to “sign.” And then the Soviet system decided to interfere with their happiness. Matthews was kicked out of Moscow; there seemed to be no chance of reunification.
But the lovers, as they say, stuck their heels in and won, having spent almost six—can you imagine, six whole years—on the war with this very system.
“An Anti-Soviet Novel” is a book-monument to people’s desire to be happy. A book in which, despite idiotic and meaningless rules, private life triumphs over public life. Both Melvin and Lyudmila are strong here, but the latter still had a harder time.
The book was written by the son of these heroes, Owen Matthews, who visited his second home in the nineties and lived in Moscow as the chief of the Russian bureau of Newsweek magazine.
Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
Scarlett O'Hara is an example of a superwoman who seriously worked on herself and was able to cope with all the difficulties that fell on her one after another. The spoiled daughter of rich parents, the heiress of a huge estate, Scarlett, due to circumstances, is forced to grow up, get rid of illusions, and manage family affairs and at the same time fight for your love. "Gone with the Wind" is an ideal women's novel that has everything you need for happiness: the scale of the plan, kisses against the backdrop of the fires of the Civil War, the man of your dreams and the bright character of the main character. In the States, the novel ranks second place in sales after the Bible.American women still want to be like Scarlett.
"I am Malala", Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is not even nineteen, and she has already experienced more than most adults experience. At the age of 11, Malala began writing a blog for the BBC, in which she recorded what was happening to her and her friends living under the rule of radical Islamists. She wrote that all girls should have the right to receive an education, for which she paid the price - she, a 13-year-old girl, was shot point-blank on a school bus. Having survived, Yousafzai did not give up her views. She spoke at the United Nations, was Time magazine's Heroine of the Year and became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
I Am Malala was written with Christina Lamb, a British reporter specializing in Pakistan and Afghanistan. On the day the book was published, the Taliban announced that they were hunting the girl.
Now Malala lives in London - it is dangerous for her to return home. "I Am Malala", which features Yousafzai's literary monologues, is a chronicle of incredible courage without an ounce of pathos.
Millennium, Stieg Larrson Trilogy
Lisbeth Salander is a kind of Pippi Longstocking put through a meat grinder. Lonely, sensitive, Lisbeth, who has been thoroughly battered by life (to put it mildly), despises the world around her and lives by her own rules. The girl with the dragon tattoo chooses her own lovers, work, troubles, adventures and little joys. Being strong and outwardly impenetrable, she is at the same time sympathetic to the weaknesses of others. All the male characters in Larsson's books pale in comparison to Lisbeth - even Mikael Blomkvist is no competitor to her.
“Steep Route”, Evgenia Ginzburg
“At four o’clock in the morning there was a shrill telephone call. My husband Pavel Vasilyevich Aksenov, a member of the bureau of the Tatar regional party committee, was on a business trip. The even breathing of sleeping children could be heard from the nursery.
Arrive at six in the morning at the regional committee. Room 38.
This was ordered to me, a party member.
But they hung up. However, it was already clear that something bad had happened.”
Thus begins one of the most poignant books telling about Stalin’s repressions. Kazan journalist Ginzburg (mother of the writer Vasily Aksenov), having spent 10 years in prison and 8 years in exile, wrote down from memory everything that happened to her. The result is a document of amazing power, which at the same time reads like a literary work. Having gone through all the circles of hell, Ginzburg did not give up, did not break.
"Dolores Claiborne", Stephen King
King, as you know, is a feminist, a fighter for women's rights, and this topic for him, who remembers well how his own mother survived, abandoned by her husband, is one of the most painful and important. “Dolores Claiborne” is a novel dedicated to his mother. The main character, on whose behalf the story is told, recalls her life while giving testimony at the police station. A simple, unhappy woman, Dolores admits that she killed her torturer husband many years ago, and explains why she could no longer stand him. In the case of Dolores Claiborne, it makes sense not only to read the book, but also to watch the film adaptation of the same name with Kathy Bates.
Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
Including a negative character, a dangerous psychopath, in this list is quite strange, but only at first glance. Because let's be honest, Amy Dunne, who faked her own disappearance, is an undeniably strong character. And the most amazing thing is that she managed to do what she planned. A woman who takes revenge on a man is scary. Amy Dunne is a pure example of such revenge. As they say, God forbid.
Because of them, people lose their minds, huge fortunes, and sometimes even their own lives. They envelop, lure and drive you crazy. They masterfully master the art of flirting, tying neckerchiefs and subjugating human souls, regardless of gender, age and intelligence. And when hearts are broken and masks are dropped, there will certainly be someone nearby who will say with a grin: “La Femme Fatale.” Books will tell you everything about them...
Herbjerg Wassmu "The Book of Dina"
Dina
The annotation promises us a novel in the style of “Gone with the Wind.” Don't believe it! There are no polite gentlemen and well-mannered beauties, refined feelings and good manners here. Everything here is much simpler, rougher, more prosaic. Northern nature - northern people. Cold, lead sea, icy spray. And a hot fire inside! Passions (and what kind), but not through frivolous flirting, balls and receptions, but rough, animal ones, at the level of instincts... And ghosts. Where would the Scandinavians be without them...
What do readers think?
“So this is what they are, northern beauties! This one will not pout, roll her eyes and faint in order to get what she wants. Such a woman will take everything herself! Unbridled, wild, cruel elemental woman! And at the same time talented, attractive, sensual and strong.”
“Dina is like a wild river. Carries you along without thinking about the consequences. He lives vigorously, brightly, without falsehood, without holding back. Dina looks into the eyes and never cries. Dina climbs an elder tree to get closer to the sky.”
“This is a book-story of Dina’s life with all her storms, passions and adversities. Gloomy and dark fate, its chilling twists and turns, a bright and willful beauty, absolutely unpredictable, who gallops on her black horse, knocks down everything in her path, turns the world inside out and does not spare anyone, but first of all herself. She looks at the world with her leaden eyes, which are like lakes, she is unbridled and wild like a wolf cub, she lives as she sees fit.”
Valery Bryusov “Last pages from a woman’s diary”
Natalia
A little detective story with a love story of the early twentieth century from the founder of Russian symbolism. Written in the form of a young woman's diary, in which she expresses her views on contemporary society and morality. She has two lovers - an aesthetic artist and a young man who was once carried away by revolutionary ideas. On top of that, her husband was killed, but the heroine practically doesn’t care about either the investigation or her husband’s will. It seems that she will have to make a choice between two men, but freedom is most valuable to her.
What do readers think?
“I have never had to love two (three, four?) people at the same time, but I understood Natalia perfectly. I understood her, accepted her and was on her side. In the end, she lost everything. But people like her don’t stay lonely for long.”
“An amazing work from the point of view that it was written from the perspective of a woman by a man. So what? Not enough of this has been written? But Bryusov somehow looks at things in a special feminine way, thinks with feminine thoughts, acts with feminine actions.”
Daphne du Maurier "Rebecca"
Rebecca Winter
Daphne du Maurier's most famous novel, brilliantly filmed by Hitchcock. Maximilian de Winter, owner of the Manderley estate, remarries a year after the death of his wife, the beautiful Rebecca. A timid and shy girl has a hard time in a new house, where everything reminds her of her previous owner. But this is only the beginning of the troubles that will befall the new Mrs. de Winter.
What do readers think?
“The book is wonderful! This special gothic atmosphere, this beautiful and creepy estate, this menacing noisy sea, and of course, the strong, treacherous, invincible Rebecca, who cannot be forgotten even after her death. This is one of those books that you devour in a few days, and then you are surprised and regret that it ended so soon.”
“Atmospheric book. A castle, a mystery, a strange woman, a hint of a ghost, the identity of Rebecca Winter herself. A Vamp woman, charismatic, extravagant, such that even after death her presence can be felt in the house, an elusive trail of perfume, the rustle of steps, the rustle of a dress somewhere there, around the corner...”
“It all starts quite simply. A poor, kind-hearted girl, a widowed handsome aristocrat, a sudden outbreak of love. Everything is in the best traditions of romance novels. But as soon as you relax, a natural thriller begins. The author skillfully maintains the reader’s interest with hints and halftones, gradually increasing the emotional tension.”
Daphne Du Maurier "My Cousin Rachel"
Cousin Rachel
This is not a detective story, but the deaths are mysterious and the motives are malicious. This is not a love story, but the main characters repeatedly lose their heads and sanity from love. This is not a boring English story about pudding and prim ladies, but the old butler is always on his guard. This is the story of a femme fatale who brings misfortune to those who love her, and a man who is too young and inexperienced to protect himself from this love.
What do readers think?
“Death and love, past and present, sincerity and cunning - all this applies to dear cousin Rachel. All this follows her like a dark shadow of an eternal pursuer. This woman brings misfortune with her, but who is she - a killer or a victim? Should I feel sorry for her or condemn her? I really liked the book, but looking at the cover I was expecting something light, but what I got was an interesting, exciting read. I solved Rachel...”
“A measured narrative, an atmosphere of the English province, but at the same time intrigue, mystery, a riddle that runs like a red thread from the very beginning of the book to the last pages. Rachel - who is she? a kind cousin, a sad widow or a calculating bitch who breaks hearts?
“Beautiful English prose, wonderful, bewitching language, intricate, deep, like a whirlpool, plot.”
Oscar Wilde "Salome"
Salome
Oscar Wilde's play is a reinterpretation of the biblical story of the beautiful Salome, at whose request the Jewish saint was beheaded.
What do readers think?
“Salome captivated me. What a pity that you cannot see her mystical dance on the pages of the book. Although, maybe this is for the best: otherwise, I would, like Herod, be ready to give everything I have!”
“I don’t know and can’t imagine how beautiful this princess must have been and how beautiful her dance must have been so that such a terrible price could be given for it as a person’s life, I can’t even imagine how strong and crazy she must have been.” there may be lust to turn people into wild animals, but I really hope that cruel women like Salome do not exist in the real world.”
“I have heard the opinion that the most striking work about passion is Nabokov’s Lolita. I am not sure. “Salome” has always seemed more powerful to me, perhaps because the brevity of the form turns the glorified passion into a poisonous concentrate, dripping onto the reader right through the pages.”
“How difficult it is to convey in words the atmosphere of this work! The smell of unnatural passion, insane fear, unsatisfied lust, cruelty and death... Such a dense, viscous, suffocatingly gloomy, black and golden play... Of course, this is decadence. But also fighting against God. Here the Word of God turns out to be powerless, and paganism triumphs over Christianity.”
Anatoly Mariengof "Cynics"
Olga
Moscow, 1918-1924, six years of horror. A great country is dying and falling apart. In a matter of months, arbitrariness, terror, devastation, and famine reign in Russia. And they, the heroes of the novel, are young, and they are in love. They are fragments of that shattered “old world”, and by all logic they should have been in Paris long ago, walking along the boulevards and admiring the blooming chestnut trees... But it didn’t work out, this train left without them, but they remained - to try to pretend that life continues as before, but thereby only delay the inevitable death...
What do readers think?
"A delightful novel. Strong, amazing. Vile and disgusting. Fantastically modern, although it will soon be a hundred years old.”
“What a colorful, what a catchy novel Mariengof came out with! Every line, every metaphor, every intonation breathes shockingness, oozes poisonous juice, shouts from the podium, spitting words onto the heads of their listeners. The love in the pages of “Cynics” is not simple, but pointed, complex, thrown by the push of an ignorant revolutionary boot into the very mud, the very stench of reality. Trampled, spit upon, lies somewhere at the very bottom of the Bolshevik sewer, but does not give up, it is still warm.”
“This is an amazing novel. Scary, incredibly frank, frankly aesthetic, wonderfully written. And what a language, what a style, oh my God!.. You could actually quote entire pages.”
“I can’t help but write a few words about the heroes. You may like them, they may irritate you, but one thing is for sure - they are so bright and alive that they sink surprisingly deeply into your consciousness. Especially Olga. She is terrible, and at the same time amazing, amazing.”
Prosper Merimee "Carmen"
Carmen
One of Merimee's most famous short stories is about the passionate love of the Basque Jose for the gypsy Carmencita. The novella is based on the plot of the opera of the same name by Georges Bizet, the music of which is incredibly popular in our time.
What do readers think?
“Carmen is beautiful, but not perfect beauty: “with every flaw she combined dignity, perhaps even more pronounced due to the contrast.” The main thing for Merimee is her character. Carmen is simple, but also crafty, serious, but also mocking. She is a cauldron of contradictions. Bizet did not understand Carmen at all when he placed all the emphasis on the beauty’s changeable heart. Her heart was unchanging, it was just that this unchangeability consisted in the fact that she put freedom above everything in the world, including love. And what kind of love is this - without freedom?
“The story of a gypsy woman and a former officer. A story about freedom and love, for the sake of which he is ready to destroy his own life. Frankly, I thought that Carmen herself would evoke more positive feelings in me, because before I imagined her as a seductive girl who is not afraid of the vicissitudes of fate, but I saw a bright bird who, behind her motley plumage, has nothing but thoughts of freedom and fun. That is why I sincerely feel sorry for Jose, the young man who lost his head over a young gypsy woman. Who in an instant derailed his entire life, for the sake of a ringing voice and a pair of wolf eyes.”
“What impressed me most about the novel was the whole atmosphere and such a tragic ending. The entire work is permeated with the spirit of freedom. When I read Carmen’s phrases, her ringing voice and cheerful laughter sounded in my head. She charmed me."
William Shakespeare "Macbeth"
Lady Macbeth
“Macbeth” is W. Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy, telling about the events that took place in Scotland in the 11th century: the murder of King Duncan and the accession of his murderer Macbeth. The tragedy is named after the main character, but the leading role in the tragedy is played by Lady Macbeth, beautiful, captivatingly feminine, bewitchingly attractive, but ruthless, decisive and cruel.
What do readers think?
“I re-read Macbeth many times, for the first time when I was 18-20 years old, and each time I found something new for myself. But the first impression was this. Why is it not “Macbeth”, but “Romeo and Juliet”, that is included in the school literature curriculum? It seems to me that it is through reading Macbeth that a teenager can gain an understanding of honor, loyalty, duty and what happens when these high ideals are neglected.”
“A strong thing, I liked it from the bottom of my heart, especially the line of Lady Macbeth and her “sleepwalking,” the way she tried to wash her hands in her sleep. An interesting heroine, admiring her intelligence and the extent of her unscrupulousness, it’s even a pity that everything turned out this way with her.”
Nikolai Leskov "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk"
Katerina Lvovna
“Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” is a story by Nikolai Leskov, written by him in 1864. A story in which a love story becomes a crime story. The writer himself called it a gloomy story, a study in strict colors about a strong and passionate female character. The story is about a tragedy on a local scale, in a remote Russian province, but the intensity of passions and drama are no lower than in the drama of W. Shakespeare.
What do readers think?
“A magnificent, complex work! The split of the soul has spread to the Russian hinterland. Katerina Lvovna appears before us, so hot and ardent on the one hand, and on the other - absolutely insensitive, cold, who, without flinching, is ready to kill anyone in her path.”
“Love, as you know, can be different. Both tenderly trembling and modestly bashful. And it happens like this. Hot, passionate. Disgusting in its shamelessness. All-consuming love, and woe to those who fall under its blow.”
“What is the difference between Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth and Leskov’s Lady Macbeth? All atrocities are in the name of love. Katerina was not blinded by power, unlike Shakespeare's Macbeth, she was blinded precisely by love. She became mired in this love, choked on it... And drowned.”
Anton Chekhov "Drama on the Hunt"
Olenka
Contemporaries called Anton Pavlovich Chekhov “the poet of gray everyday life.” “Drama on the Hunt” refutes this idea of the writer - a bright and dynamic story with a detective plot draws the reader into a whirlpool of dramatic events leading to a tragic outcome. Based on the story, the famous film “My Affectionate and Gentle Beast” was made with magical music by Evgeniy Doga.
What do readers think?
“This wonderful thing was like a breath of fresh air! How I love classical Russian literature of this period! This story is not at all like Chekhov’s other works; there is something fundamentally different in it. Written in wonderful, soft language. Besides, such an interesting idea, such a non-trivial outcome. A very interesting move with a true criminal, very beautifully presented and played out. Very good!".
“Olenka caused me a storm of indignation. There are such fatal women in the world who, in one fell swoop, can bring troubles to the men who love them, putting an end to their entire future fate! This sweet, graceful creature was not limited to just one man. In her short and fleeting life there were three of them. And everyone was overtaken by an evil fate in the form of the sweet but deceptive face of love. And Olenka herself suffered the most.”
Alexandre Dumas "Queen Margot"
Margaret of Navarre
“Pearl of Valois”, “Sorceress”, “New Minerva” - this is how Margarita de Valois, Queen of Navarre, was called by her court flatterers. Ronsard and Montaigne admired her. She was accompanied by the glory of the patroness of sciences, literature and art. For us, who came straight from the pages of Alexandre Dumas’s novel and the film versions that filled the screen, she appeared as a bloody and passionate Frenchwoman, the brilliant Isabelle Adjani. In general, a femme fatale of the Renaissance, swirled in a whirlwind of political and palace intrigues, in which she was not a player, but rather a bargaining chip, albeit a fairly large one.
What do readers think?
“There is a small circle of writers who will never be forgotten, whose works will be read and reread. In my opinion, Dumas is one of those few who force the reader to live in his author’s world, completely divorced from reality. His novels will always be held in high esteem. Intrigues, passions, conspiracies and deaths - all this is woven into one ball, into one frenzied labyrinth from which you try to run headlong, not noticing dead ends and false turns. Queen Margot is one such novel. A dizzying plot, exciting royal intrigues, dozens of different heroes, the fate of each is equally interesting, the tension of the historical atmosphere, pressing on the consciousness with its tragedy and sense of inevitability - this whole bouquet of feelings and sensations haunts throughout the entire reading.
“The first book of the famous and exciting trilogy by Alexandre Dumas. The impressions from the book are indescribable. So much dynamics, so much life, so much love! One of the best and most exciting books, in my opinion! If you haven't read it, be sure to read it. You will not remain indifferent!”
Alexandre Dumas "The Three Musketeers"
Lady Winter
Huge, unusually light eyes, black eyelashes, blond curls, snow-white skin - outwardly Milady personified innocence and purity itself. Who would have thought that this beauty is in the secret service of the Cardinal of France. Milady had a huge amount of diverse knowledge and skills, was a subtle psychologist and an excellent strategist. The scenes of seduction with her participation could be published as a separate brochure entitled “How to Ruin a Man.” It is noteworthy that such a detailed instruction was written by the experienced womanizer Alexandre Dumas, whose life was literally in full swing with numerous marital and extramarital passions. He collected the image of the ideal femme fatale from personal memories and historical chronicles.
What do readers think?
“The most exciting and interesting episode for me was Milady’s fictitious story about her life to Felton, all her feminine tricks and tricks. This is the only place in the book that was very difficult to put down! Dumas created the image of a woman gifted with the talent of controlling and enslaving the lies of other people for her own benefit, so that these people were in complete confidence in the justice of the murders that they committed at the instigation of my lady.”
“About Lady Winter - Anne de Bayle, Lady Clarik, Charlotte Buckson, Baroness Sheffield, Countess de La Fere - I would like to talk about Milady separately. I have a great weakness for this type of female characters, and I want to justify it - just once, because I believe that the woman I love is not executed just for a brand on her shoulder, especially taking into account the “professionalism” of the then justice that I encountered and Athos himself. Otherwise, this is truly a terrible woman - but also a beautiful one, because hardly anyone could boast of such acting talent, diplomatic skills, education and the ability to understand people. She may have gotten what she deserved, but I think many others didn’t, even though they should have.”
Ivan Turgenev “Spring Waters”
Maria Nikolaevna Polozova
The novel "Spring Waters" is autobiographical in nature - according to Turgenev himself, the events that happened in the novel took place in his own life. The story is based on a classic “love triangle”. Dmitry Sanin, while in Frankfurt, falls in love with an Italian girl Gemma, the daughter of the owner of a coffee shop. Gemma reciprocates Sanin's feelings, and the young people decide to get married. But money is needed for the wedding, and Sanin goes to sell his small estate. The buyer is the wife of his old friend Maria Nikolaevna Polozova. However, during their short communication, Sanin is captivated by the beauty of Maria Nikolaevna, a fatal, freedom-loving woman who conquers men with the dexterity of a skilled trainer.
What do readers think?
“The impulse: “Shouldn’t I read the coming Turgenev before bedtime?” did not promise any surprises. A small volume, a “first-love” plot, good language, pleasant characters - well, what else is needed for half-asleep, relaxed reading on a Friday evening?.. And “Spring Waters” honestly justified the hopes placed on it. Landscape beauty, emotional impulses, the beautiful maiden Gemma, the purity of first feelings, a little comedy, even less drama - everything is predictably sweet and sweetly predictable. And then Marya Nikolaevna happens in the story and turns everything upside down. Catchy, smart, independent, freedom-loving, independent, practical, moderately reasonable, and impetuous to another extent. Yes, not too highly moral, selfish, calculating, not alien to deceit. But he is a man, a bright, lively character, not exactly a horror vamp, but definitely not a static genius of pure beauty. Thanks to Ivan Sergeevich for these pages, saturated with admiration, which is mixed with amazement and a bit of bitterness. They are gorgeous. And they made reading “Spring Waters” a completely different pleasure than I naively imagined at first.”
“I read the book in one sitting, and then thought about it for another week. The novel made a huge impression on me. So huge that I almost gave up on love. Truly Turgenev is a great writer! After his novels I can’t read others. Well, there’s no comparison!”
Nina Berberova "Iron Woman"
"The Iron Woman" is a book about one of the mysterious women of the 20th century. The Iron Woman, aka “red Mata Hari”, aka “Russian Milady”, aka Maria Zakrevskaya - Mura, aka Princess Benckendorff, aka Baroness Budberg, aka a friend of the “British agent” R. Lockhart; The novel “The Life of Klim Samgin” was dedicated to her, who lived with Gorky for 12 years; she is Wells’ unmarried wife and the addressee of A. Blok’s lyrics... Nina Berberova knew her and created a fascinating novel (all the more exciting because it depicts real events and is based on documents and memories), written in an impeccable style that covers almost half a century and dozens of famous all the characters.
What do readers think?
“For a woman thrown out by life to die in Moscow in the famine of 1818, whose husband was killed by rebellious peasants, who had no experience of “adapting”, Maria Zakrevskaya coped “excellently.” She was able not only to survive, which was a feat in itself, but also, as Berberova noted, not to fall out of her “circle,” from the creative and intellectual elite, she was able to live her life as a “Madam Baroness,” the unofficial wife of Gorky and Wells (the latter was very angry to her disagreement to marry, but Moura did not want either final dependence on the aged and capricious Wells, or to lose the title, for which she had paid dearly), and - the second half of her rather long life - a very comfortable woman living in England for her own pleasure. The author, in a purely feminine way, cannot help but occasionally prick the heroine, but behind all this one can see admiration and “I couldn’t do that.” Berberova admires Mura’s vitality, but I admired her ability to accept life and those around her as they are, and not expect from them something that they are not capable of.”
Antoine Francois Prevost "History of the Chevalier de Grieux and Manon Lescaut"
Manon Lescaut
The image of Manon Lescaut, created by Abbot Prevost, is one of the “core” female characters of European literature, which outlined the channel in which later authors would develop the theme of the feminine essence, its fatal elusiveness and destructive temptation.
What do readers think?
“I really liked the story about the cheerful girl Manon Lescaut and her always loving gentleman des Grieux for its lightness and ease, despite the fact that it is the 18th century, morals are harsh, there are even special correctional institutions for depraved men and women.”
“This work is a sincere confession about the fatal feeling of love, all-encompassing and dooming to suffering and torment. The main character is an impulsive and sensitive person, with a rich inner world and a passion for Manon. Manon is carefree, spontaneous, frivolous, and sometimes cynical. She is full of contradictions. Her nature is changeable and vicious, and at the same time there is real sincerity and attractiveness in this girl. She is breathtakingly beautiful and drives many men crazy. The author depicts before us not only this fatal passion-attraction, but also individual features and signs of Paris in those years. In this world everything is bought and sold. There are lustful and envious people everywhere. And for the sake of money, all boundaries and moral principles are erased.”
""Insidious Manon!" - the most memorable phrase of the novel. Interesting, predictable and sweetly naive. Very much in the style of the 18th century: everything is canonical, no physicality, nothing but crazy feelings and frantic passions, entailing the crazy actions of two young, flighty handsome men.”
Feedback from LiveLib.ru readers was used in its compilation.
Compiled by: Elena Gilmutdinova, Elena Khodotova
Modern society is divided into two opposing camps. In one (consisting, as a rule, of men) there is an opinion that a woman is an a priori weak creature, whose whole meaning of life comes down to raising children and cooking dinner. In the other (consisting, as a rule, of women), they firmly believe that any representative of the fair half of humanity is a goddess descended to earth, capable of moving mountains with just the power of thought. The truth is somewhere nearby: a woman is a person, and people are different.And yet I would like to draw attention to literature where heroines are the key characters. After all, there are moments in every woman’s life when such a work gives strength to cope with problems. We, together with the bookstore chain "", have compiled for you a selection of 15 popular novels of different genres.
1. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
Scarlett O'Hara is one of the most famous female characters, personifying the desire for success and the willingness to achieve a goal, despite obstacles. Gone with the Wind is considered a novel about the civil war that broke out between the North and the South, but the author focused more on the character of her heroine - her hopes, relationships with family and lovers. At first, Scarlett appears before us in the form of a young dummy, whose charming head is occupied only by thoughts of clothes, dancing and gentlemen. However, gradually we begin to notice in her a phenomenal ability to stay afloat under any circumstances - be it war, famine or poverty. Mitchell's great merit is that she did not turn her heroine into a refined angel, into some kind of unattainable ideal that cannot be found in reality. On the contrary, O'Hara has not only merits, but also a lot disadvantages: greed, arrogance, jealousy. And it is this fusion of good and evil in one bottle that makes the image of Scarlett so believable, so alive...
2. "Jane Eyre", Charlotte Brontë
The story of an ordinary English girl brought Charlotte Bronte fame that has not faded over the centuries. Fate in some details resembles the life of its author, but one should not assume that Brontë dedicated the novel to herself, since Jane is a completely independent character. The main character of the novel symbolizes all the sorrows that poor orphans are forced to face. Deprived of parental care, the baby grows up in the family of a cruel and capricious aunt. Loved by no one, she endures endless poking, reproaches and even beatings until her patience is exhausted. Sending her to a girls' school may seem like a salvation, but even there hardships await Jane - due to careless management, the students are constantly hungry, freezing in poorly heated rooms and getting sick. Time passes, the fragile girl turns into a tender young woman, whose heart yearns for love.
3. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
The book by the American writer describes the life of girls who lived in the mid-19th century. Despite the inexorable passage of time, the novel remains relevant, since the main storyline in it was family relationships. March Sisters ( Margaret, Josephine, Elizabeth and Amy) show all the diversity of female characters: Meg is prim and vain, Jo is capricious and straightforward, Amy is more cunning than a little devil, but Beth is a real angel. Girls so different from each other go through the stages of growing up, experiencing their first sorrows and joys together. They quarrel, but then make up again, realizing the importance of blood ties.
4. “Anna Karenina”, Leo Tolstoy
One of Leo Tolstoy's greatest novels shows us the consequences of unhappy marriages. Although many will consider Anna Karenina weak because of her fatal act, the character of a strong woman is still revealed to us. Her willingness to go against the sanctimonious foundations of society is all the more striking because in the old days, such behavior among ladies threatened with the loss of reputation - which is what unfortunate Anna faced. It was secretly allowed to have lovers, but openly leaving your spouse for another man was an unforgivable step. It is impossible not to sympathize with the heroine, whose soul is tormented by a whirlpool of feelings: jealousy, love, hatred, hope. Tolstoy surprisingly poignantly showed a mother’s pain from the loss of a child and her determination in the fight for the right to see her child - to hug, kiss, stroke silk curls. This unusually sincere novel is a sad tale about a tormented soul, despite its strength, yet broken by the merciless condemnation of others.
5. “Ladies' Happiness”, Emile Zola
Emile Zola's touching creation gave hope to women seeking to find their place in the business world. With bated breath we watch the development of a simple French girl, Denise Bodu, who came to Paris in search of income. Having demonstrated business savvy unprecedented for her age, Denise begins such a difficult climb to success. And although our modern times are fundamentally different from the era of the heroine, many are familiar first-hand with all the difficulties that Bodu faced. In her world, the role of men is much more important, and therefore it is extremely difficult for a girl (especially a young one, and not of noble birth) to gain respect. Her ideas, no matter how wise, most often go unheard. And yet, stubborn Denise goes towards her goals.
6. “Theater”, Somerset Maugham
A cult novel that gave Maugham worldwide fame. The story of Julia Lambert unfolds before us - the queen of the theatrical stage, swimming in money and fame. Midlife crisis, relationships between children and parents, adultery - all this is just part of the intriguing problems raised in Maugham's fascinating work. The author's amazing style and excellent understanding of the actors' lives allow you to feel the extravaganza that reigns on stage and behind the scenes. As you enthusiastically watch Julia's everyday life, you learn invaluable lessons about how important it is to overcome your own pride, because it was pride that pushed her into an affair with an insidious rake. Blinded by the empty courtship of the young handsome man, Lambert completely loses her head, simply ignoring the obvious fact: the sly man is not at all burning with love for the aging diva, for him she is just a pass into the world of the elite.
7. “Angelique – Marquise of Angels”, Anne Golon
The first part of the popular historical series introduces us to the very young Angelique de Peyrac, whose heavenly beauty turned into a curse both for herself and for the men around her. Young and innocent, she becomes one of those countless victims of outdated traditions, when young ladies (ignoring their personal wishes) were forcibly married to strangers, as if selling cattle for profit. Fortunately for Angelica, her new husband turned out to be a much nicer person than it might seem at first glance. However, trouble awaits the de Peyrac spouses: the meeting with the king cost both heroes dearly and Angelica’s family happiness is crumbling before their eyes.
8. Vanity Fair, William Thackeray
Thackeray's brilliant novel is full of instructive life lessons, and the main character (Becky Sharp) will cause you a storm of mixed emotions. On the one hand, her insatiable thirst for money and excessive commercialism are unpleasant and annoying. However, the beauty, charm and ingenuity of the young swindler cannot but arouse sympathy. In modern society, this hunter of status and wealth (which she intends to achieve through an arranged marriage and ingratiating herself with the nobility) would be called a “goldager.” Thackeray reveals to us the soul of that type of woman who is mercilessly condemned in society, but, nevertheless, such persons have always existed and will always exist. After all, it is society that raises she-devils with the face of angels, teasing the fragile mind of a young girl with the tinsel and splendor of a comfortable life and all the privileges of a prestigious position. So, like Eve, seduced by the Serpent Tempter, they strive to taste the inaccessible joys of life, destroying their fate with their own hands. But here’s what’s strange: although vanity spoils Becky’s character, it is precisely this trait that gives her the strength to move towards success.
9. “Smilla and Her Sense of Snow,” Peter Heeg
The detective novel by the Danish writer depicts a woman who, by the will of fate, is forced to independently seek the truth in the world of crime. Having spent my childhood in Greenland, Smilla Kvaavigaak Jaspersen (I managed to write the name on the fifth attempt) I fell in love with snow with all my soul, learning to distinguish between its countless varieties. Later, this talent influenced her choice of profession and even played a key role in solving a horrific crime. Finding herself at the scene of the tragic death of a neighbor's boy (who fell from the roof during careless games), Smilla sees the true picture of events: footprints in the snow clearly tell her that the child was not alone on the roof - someone was chasing him, then there was a struggle and whose then a cruel hand threw the baby down.
10. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding
Works about strong people do not necessarily have to contain a tragedy on a universal scale, making the reader sob bitterly over every word. Some novels, on the contrary, describe quite ordinary situations that are familiar to each of us. Fielding's work will give you a good mood, charging you with energy and the desire to find your happiness. This is exactly the story of Bridget Jones - a lonely girl with a kind heart, a lively mind and excess weight. The main character is beautiful because she doesn’t look like the ideal pretentious beauties or warriors without fear and reproach. So you won’t immediately notice all the strength of her spirit, this amazing ability, after every failure, to rise again and again and go towards her dream. Constantly making promises to himself (quit smoking, lose weight, stop dating bad guys), Jones breaks them every now and then until he finds himself in an extremely difficult situation. However, she finds the strength to pull herself together. Full of funny situations, Bridget's cheerful diary will be a cure for your spleen, or even help you overcome your midlife crisis.
11. Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
The biography of the beautiful Sayuri Nitta (Chio Sakamoto) once amazed Europeans with the details of Japanese culture, where very young girls were taught the art of giving men the highest pleasure. The novel at one time sold millions of copies, formed the basis of a cult film and caused a colossal wave of disapproval from moralists. The book is shocking, opening your eyes to the real state of things. An example of this is the scene with a father who is forced by necessity to sell his own young daughters into sexual slavery. The frankness with which Arthur Golden writes about sexual traditions shocks many, and “50 Shades of Gray” against the backdrop of the problems of “Memoirs of a Geisha” seems like just baby talk. However, there is a fly in the ointment in this ointment: against the background of the lust of the world surrounding the heroine, a delicate flower of innocent love suddenly blooms. The fabulous sales were not without scandals: Mineko Iwasaki sued the author, because the publication of fragments of her personal story not only damaged her reputation (geisha are not allowed to disclose details of communication with clients), but even posed a threat to life. This case once again proves the danger of such traditions.
12. “Up the Downstairs,” Bel Kaufman
The unusual novel by Bel Kaufman (granddaughter of Shalom Aleichem) was published more than half a century ago, but still remains on the list of popular books of our time. The plot of the book centers on Sylvia Barrett, a young teacher teaching English literature in an ordinary school. The enthusiastic heroine soon realizes that the students frankly don’t care about their classes, and their teachers have long lost the spark that brings people into teaching. Nevertheless, without losing the desire to sow the reasonable, kind, eternal, Sylvia plunges headlong into such a difficult process of teaching children. And although the book describes the life of an American school, the work will also be of interest to domestic readers (teenagers, parents and teachers in particular), since children all over the world face the same problems. It is also worth noting the unusual structure of the book, consisting of dialogues, scraps of school essays and notes.
13. Dolores Claiborne, Stephen King
As an advocate for women's rights, King dedicated one of his novels to the problem of domestic violence. is a reflection of all those poor wives driven to despair by constant abuse and beatings. Someone sees her as a monster, not wanting to delve into the true essence of the motives that push her to commit a terrible act. King boldly shows us the other side of the crime, explaining that sometimes an “accident” can become salvation for an unhappy woman. Like a ball of tangled threads, fragments of Dolores’ difficult life gradually unfold before us: her extremely strained relationship with her own daughter, quarrels with her cruel husband and humiliating (almost slavish) work for a grumpy old bitch. It was the quarrelsome mistress who influenced the difficult decision that freed Claiborne from her oppressive husband.
14. "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
The novel, which became a bestseller, touches on many sensitive issues that are still relevant today. The story is told from the perspective of three strong-willed women: Eugenie Filan, Minnie Jackson and Abie Clark. Minnie and Abie are forced to face the prejudices of a society full of anger. By some miracle, Filan (even though she was born into a white, wealthy family) manages to take off the blinders from her eyes and see in the exhausted women not servants, but individuals. Of course, the main storyline of the work is the problem of racism, since (despite the abolition of slavery) the black population of those years still suffered from the brutal treatment of the more privileged classes. When exposed to power, their employers sometimes turn into real monsters. Stockett also shows us the position of other characters, demonstrating their degradation in a world where a woman is seen only as an appendage of her husband - a beautiful doll with a fashionable hairstyle.
15. The Other Side of Midnight, Sidney Sheldon
A captivating work from the bestselling author, it's perfect for lovers of mystery and intrigue. In this novel, Sheldon introduces us to two strong-willed heroines. One achieved success with her mind and led a modest lifestyle. The second - a sultry beauty - walked over heads, manipulating men. Both have tragic fates, and behind them are many difficult events that shaped their characters. Every now and then returning us to the past of his characters, Sidney skillfully outlines the factors that explain their actions in the present. Gradually, the reader develops sympathy for both women, unable to give his preference to one of them. Good Catherine Alexander and the capricious Noelle Page are completely different from each other, but they have something in common - love for the same man. For both, the meeting with the charming pilot, Larry Douglas, became fatal. It is not surprising that the novel gained worldwide fame, because the rivalry between two women is an eternal dilemma.
Tell us which books about strong women made a lasting impression on you? Share your opinions in the comments, and we wish you pleasant reading!
All these books are about women. About strong-willed women who have gone through incredible difficulties. Books about those who were able to overcome circumstances and emerge with honor from the most difficult situations in life. These are women you can learn from.
Gone with the Wind is the only novel by Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949). Her life was cut short early due to a tragic accident, but the images of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, born from the imagination of a “brave little woman” - as American critics called the writer - are destined to live forever.
This is a book about love and war, about betrayal and loyalty, about cruelty and the beauty of life itself. This is one of those books that you return to again years later and feel the joy of meeting...
The novel “Angelique” is the first part of the famous historical adventure epic about the dizzying adventures of Angelique de Sancé de Montelou, the beautiful conqueror of hearts, and her capricious fate, full of insidious surprises...
The life story of one of the most famous geishas of the 20th century, Nitta Sayuri. Even if you are not a fan of romance novels and do not believe in love at first sight and for life, you will get an unforgettable pleasure from the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the Land of the Rising Sun and get to know an unfamiliar, closed to outsiders, society from the inside.
This book brought the author worldwide recognition.
At the center of the novel is the complex fate of an early orphaned Turkish girl. Despite the vicissitudes of fate, through her work, perseverance and kindness, she achieves recognition in society, and love returns to her.
For forty years, the mystery of the disappearance of a young relative has haunted the aging industrial magnate, and now he makes the last attempt in his life - he entrusts the search to journalist Mikael Blomkvist. He takes on a hopeless case more in order to escape from his own troubles, but soon realizes: the problem is even more complicated than it seems at first glance.
How is the long-standing incident on the island connected with several murders of women that happened over the years in different parts of Sweden? What does this have to do with quotes from the Third Book of Moses? And who, in the end, attempted the life of Mikael himself when he came too close to the solution? And even more so, he could not imagine that the investigation would lead him to absolute hell in the midst of an idyllically peaceful town.
“I'm not perfect. I prefer snow and ice." The intellectual Smilla knows seventy definitions of snow, and her passion for numbers and calculations helped her solve the crime. But the detective line seems like just a small entertainment for Peter Høeg, compared to how he manages to reveal the female potential of his heroine. Rationalism gets along with sensuality, and mathematics becomes a convincing prologue to a new life. “Smilla and Her Feelings of Snow” is proof that even science can be useful in everyday life and in love.
“Perhaps I, too, would be a good woman if I had five thousand pounds a year, and I could potter in the nursery and count the apricots on the trellises.”
Who doesn't know Becky Sharp? Today she would be called a careerist with a shark-like grin, but the thought of working for Becky never crossed her mind. If the royal title were given for vanity, Becky would certainly deserve it. A novel without a hero, as Thackeray himself stated, does not need a hero at all, because little Miss Sharp rules the English kingdom. The self-confident, self-centered and cunning governess spread like a black spot on the immaculate canvas of prim English society. And in order to earn your first 1,000,000, you just need to achieve the patronage of an authoritative old lady, make the titled person fall in love with you and forget about the fact that “flattery is vile, harmful...”.
“In your rocking chair by the window, you will dream of such happiness that you will never know!”
A story about a provincial girl from a classic of American literature, who was lucky enough to live the rest of his life in Hollywood. We did not omit this detail, because at the beginning of his creative career, Dreiser gave his heroes the notorious American dream, until the dream turned into tragedy (“American Tragedy”). A young girl with the makings of an actress heads to Chicago; on the train she meets an entrepreneur who is not averse to becoming her patron, which in itself is not bad for the start of the book and for Kerry’s career. For some, this whole story will end well, such as for Kerry, for others, it will end at all. And no matter how we feel about the characters, the feeling of being “deceived” after meeting Kerry is guaranteed. But how beautifully Dreiser misled us!..
“She was the living embodiment of rebellion, the antithesis of hopelessness.”
A brutal forester, a respectable gentleman in a wheelchair and his wife - it’s not difficult to guess who is who in this love triangle.
The novel succeeded in two ways: in its frank description of love scenes against the backdrop of oak groves and in its unexpected denouement. When in other novels the lover dies either in a car accident or from a fatal disease, in “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” the forester and the young baroness live happily ever after, because for Lady Chatterley a woman’s happiness is above all the blessings of civilization.
“Like a counterfeiter, I replaced my true values with counterfeit checks that no one would ever accept.”
One of the screenwriters of the film Ulysses, based on the novel by James Joyce, writes about the complex relationship between mother and son. A 13-year-old boy cannot stand his mother's betrayal and has not maintained contact with her for 18 years. If the cruelty of her son can be justified, then a sane woman can hardly explain Lucy’s indifference to her own child, which, however, did not stop the female half of the readers from parsing the book into quotes. The main thing to understand here is that Lucy's story is not about how not to make mistakes, but about how to live in spite of them.