The Awakening (Dover Thrift Editions) | 
| Author: Kate Chopin
Publisher: Dover Publications
Category: Book
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Avg. Customer Rating:  350 reviews
Sales Rank: 30115
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 128
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0486277860
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.4
EAN: 9780486277868
ASIN: 0486277860
Publication Date: November 4, 1993
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Product Description
First published in 1899, this novel shocked readers with its open sensuality and uninhibited treatment of marital infidelity. The poignant, lyrical story of a New Orleans wife who attempts to find love outside a stifling marriage, critics have praised it as a forerunner of the modern novel. New introductory Note.
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A minor masterpiece, The Awakening was a scandalous book when it arrived from the turn-of-the-century presses. With a heroine who found her husband dull, married life dreary and confining, and motherhood to be bondage, this revolutionary book is still relevant to many.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 345 more reviews...
 How long have I been asleep? July 22, 2008
On the cover page the following sentence caught my eye: "Written nearly one hundred years ago, THE AWAKENING is the compelling story of an extraordinary modern woman struggling against the constraints of marriage and motherhood, and slowly discovering the power of her own sexuality" (Avon Books). And truthfully, yes, that does sum everything up into a nice tidy bow. The novel is primarily about Edna Pontellier a woman in a loveless marriage. Edna wakes up from her half dead sleep once she embraces the emotions she didn't know she could even express. Edna embodies the classic tale of Phoenix: she is completely reborn.
The courage Chopin possessed to write this one hundred years ago is extraordinary. This is a feminist novel without being negative towards men. More than that, she explores feminine psyche in such a way that this novel could have been written in our time. But clearly, as the introductory page indicates, it was written nearly (now over) one hundred years ago. I can see why it was banned from libraries and schools. Edna, our protagonist, stands out from the rest of the Creole characters. Unlike the other women, she is not particularly attached to her children. She loves them of course, but she doesn't dote on them as the mothers (like Madame Ratignolle), nor does she seem to believe that the world revolves around her husband. On the contrary, Edna feels a longing she cannot explain. A belief that there is something more out there than just this. Psychologically this reminds me extensively of "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Everyone else is so quick to diagnose her without even wanting to listen to what she wants! Though we cannot be for certain (since it is merely implied but not stated), it appears that Edna also displays symptoms of depression.
Edna goes through a complete metamorphosis with her character. Her deconstruction begins by getting over her fear of swimming. There is such a beautiful scene with her swimming in the ocean after a party in the evening, with other people swimming and watching her. She keeps swimming until it frightens her how far she has ventured and she returns elated to her husband (who of course only says she didn't really go that far out). The turning point happens later when Robert (another man) returns with her and wishes her a good night and for the first time in YEARS she "felt pregnant with the first-felt throbbings of desire" (51). It is here that Edna AWAKENS from her half awake-half dead going-through-the-motions life. It is after this scene that her husband and people begin to notice a difference within her.
There are so many memorable scenes in this novel. What I enjoyed the most was seeing Edna's growth as an individual. Instead of doing wifely duties of visiting with her husbands' client's wives, she chose to go to the horse races and gamble (and win). She painted and committed herself to reading more and educating herself. She sold her paintings for money. She bought her own small abode (the pigeon house). She firmly established herself as an independent, career-oriented full person. She loved her children, but felt more at peace when they were gone. There is something to be said about that; not all women, Ms. Chopin may have been saying, should aspire to only be mothers. Why can't women enjoy themselves?
I won't spoil the ending but let me just say that it is very fitting. Even though it is the end of the novel Chopin leaves the readers thinking that Edna's life is just now beginning. Some will disagree, and that's what makes it so powerful. There is an implied ending, but truly we - as only students of literature - will never know for sure.
 Better as an example of feminist lit than as a story May 12, 2008
This book has become a feminist lit classic for a reason. It follows the story of Edna, a woman living in Louisiana and married to a Creole, through the span of a little less than a year. In that time, she experiences the "awakening" the title tells about--falls in love (not with her husband), leaves her home and family, and discovers her calling as an artist. On that level, the book works.
But as an actual *story*, well, not so much. Frankly, I found Edna less than sympathetic, especially in her actions towards her children. The ending is abrupt--I won't give it away--and a huge let down after the rest of the book. In essence, the book is building up to...nothing.
All in all, worth reading--but mainly so you can say you've read it. It's good, but nothing special. I read My Antonia around the same time as this, and I much prefered My Antonia. They are sort of similar, so if The Awakening sounds like something you might like but you aren't sure, try My Antonia instead.
Great book March 29, 2008
This is a great book written by a great author. Sad at times but extremely good writing. I also recommend Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Where Have You Been All My Life? March 23, 2008
I picked this book up on a whim, it was inexpensive, short and from the first couple of paragraphs looked interesting. I wondered why I hadn't read it before. I had heard the author's name, probably from my constant searching for great quotes and such.
I started reading and as I continued, I felt waves of familiarity rise up within me.
Yes, this is a "classic" yet the story could be my own.
I remembered when I saw the movie "Pleasantville" for the first time and how disturbed I was by it... so disturbed that I had to pace outside the theatre to catch my breath before I could return.
My life has changed greatly since then, but books like the Awakening serve to remind me how far we have come as a society (in some ways, I am grateful) as well as the sadness for women over time... as we learn the outcome for our heroine.
The writing is beautiful yet sparse enough to move along at a surprisingly fast pace.
I will begin recommending this title to every woman I know, especially the young women. I wish someone had shared it with me before I made some of the choices I made.
Beautifully written. March 18, 2008
This is one of those books that remind you what literature is about and how powerful it is. It is a terrible injustice to limit literature, such as this book, by catagorizing it into a certain type of ideology, or to attach moral judgement. If so, there wouldn't be any good literature left.(defenitely no Lolita) The awakening of one's soul and desire inspite of the external restraints, and the determination to bring changes in life, however tragic it may be, should speak to every human being. A Lovely book in all senses.
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