Rebel Women: Feminism, Modernism and the Edwardian Novel by Jane Eldridge Miller


Rebel Women: Feminism, Modernism and the Edwardian Novel
Title : Rebel Women: Feminism, Modernism and the Edwardian Novel
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0226526771
ISBN-10 : 9780226526775
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 250
Publication : First published January 1, 1994

With the rise of women's suffrage, challenges to marriage and divorce laws, and expanding opportunities for education and employment for women, the early years of the twentieth century were a time of social revolution. Examining British novels written in 1890-1914, Jane Eldridge Miller demonstrates how these social, legal, and economic changes rendered the traditional narratives of romantic desire and marital closure inadequate, forcing Edwardian novelists to counter the limitations and ideological implications of those narratives with innovative strategies. The original and provocative novels that resulted depict the experiences of modern women with unprecedented variety, specificity, and frankness. Rebel Women is a major re-evaluation of Edwardian fiction and a significant contribution to literary history and criticism.

"Miller's is the best account we have, not only of Edwardian women novelists, but of early 20th-century women novelists; the measure of her achievement is that the distinction no longer seems workable." —David Trotter, The London Review of Books

Rebel Women: Feminism, Modernism and the Edwardian Novel Reviews

  • Pippa

    This was a really fascinating book. I found it quite compulsive reading. It's all about the attempt of novelists to move from traditional romance themes, which end in the marriage of the heroine, to something that is more satisfying for women. Structure is discussed as a problem, and I found this particularly interesting, as I remember using an episodic structure for a novel I had published as an ebook, for the same reason. I don't think this book will just appeal to writers though. It is a history that all women should know, whether they are interested in a career or not.

    We find ourselves now, caught in many of the same dilemmas, with no right answers. Things have changed, but society hasn't caught up. I read an old newspaper article(from last month) today and saw that the mother of 11 children had been described as 'lazy' by her own dad. Somehow the shift of responsibility now has moved entirely to the woman. Any woman who has raised one or two children will know that the mother of 11 would find it impossible to be lazy. It's like the final insult to women. 'Some of you wanted a career, so now you should take full responsibility for financing your own family.' Presumably these children had a father, or fathers? This is a bit of a rant because I read it when it was too late to write and comment. There is a back-story, but I am sceptical about the version given by local media - and, even if it right, this comment is still extraordinary.

  • Iris

    While the blurb does a fine job of describing the book it doesn't convey how enjoyable and thought-provoking and really accessible it is. It delivers what it promises but more importantly J. E. M. makes the novels and writers she analyses sound fascinating; whenever I dive into a chapter I come away with novels to read or re/read added to my tbr pile. If I had a desert island lit crit list this book would totally be on it.