AliCorbin reviewed The Odd Women by George Gissing
Review of 'The Odd Women' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
An interesting portrayal of English society in transition. No longer the country of Austen or Trollope, where the only acceptable fates for a young middle-class woman were either marriage (preferably financially secure) of the quasi-servant state of a governess. By the late 19th century the first glimmerings of the women's rights movement was suggesting that, just maybe, it might be a good idea if women could earn their own living, rather than being dependent on a husband.
In this book the Madden sisters are products of the old society. Brought up to be wives and mothers, they are impoverished by the death of their father and strive to eke out a living, hoping only that Monica, the youngest and prettiest of them, will save the family through a good marriage. On the other end of the spectrum, Mary Barfoot and Rhoda Nunn are fiercely proud proto-feminists who live by their …
An interesting portrayal of English society in transition. No longer the country of Austen or Trollope, where the only acceptable fates for a young middle-class woman were either marriage (preferably financially secure) of the quasi-servant state of a governess. By the late 19th century the first glimmerings of the women's rights movement was suggesting that, just maybe, it might be a good idea if women could earn their own living, rather than being dependent on a husband.
In this book the Madden sisters are products of the old society. Brought up to be wives and mothers, they are impoverished by the death of their father and strive to eke out a living, hoping only that Monica, the youngest and prettiest of them, will save the family through a good marriage. On the other end of the spectrum, Mary Barfoot and Rhoda Nunn are fiercely proud proto-feminists who live by their own resources and teach other women to do the same. (Ironically, by becoming typists, which was then a man's domain.)
Both Monica and Rhoda make practical choices for providing for their own future. But then, unexpectedly, love intrudes on each of them and upsets all their plans.
The characterizations were good. I felt empathy for just about everyone in the book. Which meant that I would at times like to take one by the shoulders and shake vigorously, yelling at them to not be such an ass.
The ending is a bit abrupt. As if Gissing was nearing a deadline and needed to wrap the story lines up quickly.
