March 8, 2018, was International Women's Day , but it wasn't just any day. It was a day that brought women around the world together in pursuit of equality, which, despite progress, is still lacking in many aspects and rights. These following best feminist books of all time join the cause, revealing powerful and courageous stories.
The best feminist books in history
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Thanks to the highly recommended Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss , the world rediscovered one of the great feminist and dystopian novels of recent decades . Published in 1985 to great critical and commercial acclaim, The Handmaid's Tale , by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, transports us to a future where infertility leads a totalitarian society to use women as slaves to perpetuate humanity. Stark and powerful, the novel has become a touchstone of the feminist movement.
A Room of Your Own, by Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf was one of the first writers to champion the feminist movement in the 20s, a decade in which women's suffrage in England marked the beginning of a revolution supported by works such as *A Room to Write In*. This essay, composed of various lectures Woolf delivered in late 1928 at Cambridge University, argues for women's economic and ideological independence so they can achieve self-realization and have time for artistic development.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Adapted in 1985 by Steven Spielberg into the famous film starring Whoopi Goldberg, The Color Purple champions the freedom of slaves and women alike. Set in the early 20th century, the novel follows Celie, a young woman who becomes pregnant by her father and is sold to a man who physically and psychologically abuses her, keeping her separated from her sister. Alice Walker's novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983 , making its author one of the leading figures in feminist literature in recent years.
We should all be feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
During the TED Talk that Nigerian Ngozi Adichie gave in 2013, the definition of feminism changed forever. This sentiment was echoed months later in *We Should All Be Feminists*, a short and engaging essay in which the author of works like *Americanah* shares her vision of equality —one in which the opposite sex is not degraded and women can continue to have the same rights as men while wearing their best heels. It's one of the best feminist books of recent years.
Would you like to read We Should All Be Feminists?
The Second Sex, by Simone de Beauvoir
After its publication in 1949, this essay became a resounding success, transcending its origins to become one of the landmark books of feminism . Throughout its pages, Simone de Beauvoir reflects on the nature of women and how their current image stems from their projection onto society. It provides the perfect foundation for analyzing the differences between men and women, encouraging women to reclaim their own values ​​and become the kind of person they once aspired to be.
Read The Second Sex.
The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath
The only novel by American poet Sylvia Plath was released in the UK a week before the author's suicide by setting her kitchen on fire. The story centers on Esther, the most popular girl in high school and the envy of all her classmates, whose future stardom dwindles due to decisions she never manages to make, compounded by her troubled relationships with arrogant and misogynistic men. The protagonist's psychological profile has sometimes been compared to that of an author suffering from bipolar disorder and depression , leaving behind a semi-autobiographical work that has become a lasting legacy.
Discover The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
The monologues of the vagina, by Eve Ensler
In 1996, writer Eve Ensler began a conversation with her friends that led to a series of stories she titled * The Vagina Monologues* , which she considered superior to the penis because it is connected to the clitoris, the only organ responsible for giving pleasure. The work, which transcribes literal monologues from an "angry" and "slapped" vagina, was adapted for the stage and became a huge success in 2001 after its performance at Madison Square Garden with artists such as Queen Latifah, Winona Ryder, and Marisa Tomei, leading to subsequent performances in other languages ​​in different countries around the world.
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë
Shortly before the publication of Jane Eyre in 1847, Charlotte Brontë decided to use the pseudonym Currer Bell at a time when being a female writer was not so well regarded. The course of her career would change when the novel became an instant bestseller. Autobiographical in nature, Jane Eyre tells the story of a young woman who, after experiencing hardship in various orphanages, becomes governess to the daughter of the mysterious Mr. Rochester. The novel is considered one of the first feminist novels in history.
The Myth of Beauty, by Naomi Wolf
Considered by many to be one of the key essays for understanding feminism , Wolf's book, published in 1990, opened a new debate surrounding the consequences of women's increasing empowerment: their physical appearance. In a world where eating disorders and plastic surgery are on the rise, Wolf analyzes the image of a woman trapped by a superficiality dictated by society itself and mass media.
We recommend The Beauty Myth.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Published anonymously in 1813, Pride and Prejudice presents the story of the Bennet sisters, each desperate to find a man to support them. All except one: Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman who prefers to explore her own desires rather than marry. The problem arises when Mr. Darcy, one of the wealthiest men in the area, sows numerous doubts in Elizabeth's mind. A true classic, just as delightful as the 2005 film adaptation starring Keira Knightley.
What are the best feminist books you have read?