Thank you, Matthew. This is wonderful. Your words had me recalling Touched With Fire and An Unquiet Mind both by Kay Redfield Jamison. Books inspired by poets, artists, musicians and writers who blur the lines between genius and madness, influencing the way we view the world.
My husband and I later heard a lecture by Redfield on her work and life at Bryan Mawr College. It was impactful.
I’m now reading Middlemarch for the first time. I tend to avoid big books with immense casts of characters but a hooked on Eliot’s world and wry , knowing authorial voice. If you’re looking for more women writers to discover, I recommend Tillie Olsen. Small output, big impact.
I see lots of old friends here (authors who have spent time on my bookshelves). This is one thorough article, Matthew. Well done! (Jesmyn Ward and Toni Morrison are favorites.)
It's funny, I was going to suggest Salvage the Bones, which was the first I read of hers, and I have clear memories of it, but then I checked my Goodreads and I see that I gave Sing, Unburied, Sing a much higher rating—5 stars!
I thought this was fabulous. I missed Emily Dickinson, however. Even though she had little influence in her own time, she was certainly important to many other poets in the 20th century.
Thanks Roberta. I know there are so many I couldn't fit into the essay or it would have gone on forever! Dickinson has surely earned her place in the canon.
Thank you for writing this thorough look back at the history of women's writing, Matthew. Of course, it is a topic of great importance in my own reading & writing life!
Matthew- you are on fire! This was such a great summary of influential and well-known women writers over the centuries. It reminds me of the gaps in my own reading that I need to complete as I have not read all the works that are mentioned here. Thank you for a well-written essay that recognizes the literary contributions made by women to the world.
Thank you, Matthew, for this inspiring essay! Do you know Britta Boehlers YouTube channel "The second shelf" featuring almost exclusively female authors?
This is so good. I love the part about women using literature to challenge societal norms and assert intellectual authority. So well written and well rounded.
Although I'm just now back to reading your posts, after being gone for a bit, I really enjoyed this. It was very well-written and thorough! I'm finding more time to read again now that we're home!
So many new books to add to my to-be-read list, and some that are old friends.
I've only read one of her books, but Lisa See is an author who's written many historical novels centered on Asian women's struggles in patriarchal societies. The one I read, "Peony in Love," was based on a famous book written by three women in ancient China and published by their husband. While I wasn't really a fan of the writing, I appreciated learning more about the history behind it.
Thank you for this - comprehensive and enlightening. Frank Skinner did one of his poetry podcasts on Sappho and that is well worth a listen. Middlemarch though big, does not have an overwhelmingly large cast of characters.
I recently discovered Barbara Pym by reading 'Quartet in Autumn' and she is someone I intend to read a lot more of. So many books, so little time! If only I could speed read!
Thank you, Matthew. This is wonderful. Your words had me recalling Touched With Fire and An Unquiet Mind both by Kay Redfield Jamison. Books inspired by poets, artists, musicians and writers who blur the lines between genius and madness, influencing the way we view the world.
My husband and I later heard a lecture by Redfield on her work and life at Bryan Mawr College. It was impactful.
Thanks Charlene. I am unfamiliar with Kay Redfield Jamison. Will need to check out her work. Thanks for the recommendation.
I’m now reading Middlemarch for the first time. I tend to avoid big books with immense casts of characters but a hooked on Eliot’s world and wry , knowing authorial voice. If you’re looking for more women writers to discover, I recommend Tillie Olsen. Small output, big impact.
My essay on meeting Tillie Olsen (I couldn’t resist):https://ronamaynard.substack.com/p/voice-lesson-from-a-literary-warrior?utm_source=publication-search
I have added her to my list Rona! Thanks for the great article and the recommendation.
I see lots of old friends here (authors who have spent time on my bookshelves). This is one thorough article, Matthew. Well done! (Jesmyn Ward and Toni Morrison are favorites.)
Thanks Don. I have never read Jesmyn Ward. Any recommendations on where to start?
It's funny, I was going to suggest Salvage the Bones, which was the first I read of hers, and I have clear memories of it, but then I checked my Goodreads and I see that I gave Sing, Unburied, Sing a much higher rating—5 stars!
I thought this was fabulous. I missed Emily Dickinson, however. Even though she had little influence in her own time, she was certainly important to many other poets in the 20th century.
Thanks Roberta. I know there are so many I couldn't fit into the essay or it would have gone on forever! Dickinson has surely earned her place in the canon.
Thank you for writing this thorough look back at the history of women's writing, Matthew. Of course, it is a topic of great importance in my own reading & writing life!
Thanks Kate! Glad you enjoyed it. I am only scratching the surface here compared to the in depth work you and others are doing on the topic.
Matthew- you are on fire! This was such a great summary of influential and well-known women writers over the centuries. It reminds me of the gaps in my own reading that I need to complete as I have not read all the works that are mentioned here. Thank you for a well-written essay that recognizes the literary contributions made by women to the world.
Thanks for the kind words Karen. Glad you enjoyed it. I have some gaps in my reading also and I am trying to rectify that!
Thank you, Matthew, for this inspiring essay! Do you know Britta Boehlers YouTube channel "The second shelf" featuring almost exclusively female authors?
Norman, thanks for the kind words. I am not familiar with Britta Boehlers. I will check out the channel.
Blixen (Dinesen) Out of Africa. Fails the DEI test. But survives as a stylistic gem, an aspect sadly missing from today's work
Well done Matthew 👍👍
This is so good. I love the part about women using literature to challenge societal norms and assert intellectual authority. So well written and well rounded.
A sad one. https://open.substack.com/pub/johnnogowski/p/eveline-a-life-thats-frozen?r=7pf7u&utm_medium=ios
Although I'm just now back to reading your posts, after being gone for a bit, I really enjoyed this. It was very well-written and thorough! I'm finding more time to read again now that we're home!
So many new books to add to my to-be-read list, and some that are old friends.
I've only read one of her books, but Lisa See is an author who's written many historical novels centered on Asian women's struggles in patriarchal societies. The one I read, "Peony in Love," was based on a famous book written by three women in ancient China and published by their husband. While I wasn't really a fan of the writing, I appreciated learning more about the history behind it.
Thank you for this - comprehensive and enlightening. Frank Skinner did one of his poetry podcasts on Sappho and that is well worth a listen. Middlemarch though big, does not have an overwhelmingly large cast of characters.
I recently discovered Barbara Pym by reading 'Quartet in Autumn' and she is someone I intend to read a lot more of. So many books, so little time! If only I could speed read!