Still Vital and Important!

Even though it was first published in 1977 and takes place between the late 1940s and the early 1970s, this novel is still powerful and relevant today. It’s the story of Mira Ward, who grows and evolves, as she struggles to find herself. Mira, stuck at home as an unhappy housewife for fifteen years, manages to survive a difficult marriage to a selfish husband. After her abusive marriage ends, Mira attends graduate school and finds work that she’s passionate about. More importantly, she learns to truly cherish her female friends, who provide valuable emotional support as well as insight into the problems of the patriarchal society they all live in.

I found Mira’s growing confidence in herself as well as her deep and warm relationships with other women very inspiring. It was also refreshing to read a novel about the central importance of women’s relationships to each other rather a novel where the women’s lives revolve around men and their needs. I was disappointed by the lack of positive male characters in the book; however, the author may have downplayed them to emphasize the lives of the female characters.

This unique novel is a must-read for women of all generations. It’s not to be missed! ( )

t least once a year, I take my well used copy down from the library shelf and each time it feels like welcoming home a favourite, old friend. This was the book which introduced me to feminism, many years ago and one which literally changed my life. I have grown up with this book; it has seen me through early adulthood, motherhood and beyond. In every difficult time of my life it has always given me some insight into my predicament as sadly some of the frustrations and resentments which women experienced in the fifties are still present today. I have bought copies for my daughters and friends as I believe young women can still learn so much from this insightful and beautifully written book ( )

Frauen – Auf der Suche nach sich selbst Mira, Val, Kyla und ihre Freundinnen begegnen sich 1968 in Harvard. In den braven Fünfzigern zu unterwürfiger Angepasstheit erzogen, rebellieren sie gegen die starren Konventionen, die ihnen Erziehung und Gesellschaft auferlegt haben. Jede von ihnen muss ihren Weg wählen, wenn es darum geht, sich für Familie oder Karriere zu entscheiden, Herausforderungen und Probleme zu bewältigen oder für ihre Rechte zu kämpfen. Und als sie aus den verschiedensten Gründen ihr Dasein als Ehefrau, Hausfrau und Mutter hinter sich lassen, beginnt die Suche nach dem eigenen Leben erst recht.

Frenchin teos ilmestyi 1977, mutta se on kestänyt aikaa yllättävän hyvin. Kyllilkki Villan suomennos on hyvä, mutta joistakin sanavalinnoista huomaa, että teksti on peräisin ajalta ennen perestroikaa. Kenties joku kustantaja tarttuu vielä tähänkin teokseen ja teettää uuden, tarkistetun suomennoksen. Ehkäpä sukupuolten tasa-arvo on tulevaisuuden Suomessa kuitenkin jo niin itsestään selvää, ettei tämä teos enää herätä kiinnostusta.

Published in 1977, mostly set in Cambridge MA in the years 1968-71, I found this a profoundly thought provoking novel. I attended college in Boston during that era and as I read this account of the lives of a group of Harvard graduate students - all women - I kept thinking of my foolish life during those tumultuous times. So many tragic stories about women dealing with the challenges of their lives. After reading this I wonder how one can not sympathize with the feminine movement. ( )