Summary

The website content provides a list of five engaging novels that offer valuable insights into feminist themes, tailored for both newcomers to feminism and seasoned advocates.

Abstract

The article introduces readers to five must-read novels that are particularly enjoyable for those interested in feminist literature. The author, a self-described 'feminist newbie,' shares their journey of discovering feminism through storytelling, finding core feminist texts challenging initially. The selected books are praised for their humor, accessibility, and depth in exploring themes such as female identity, sexual politics, and the experiences of women from diverse backgrounds. The novels range from Jeanette Winterson's semi-autobiographical "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit," set in a religious community, to Candice Carty-Williams' "Queenie," which delves into the life of a young black woman in London. Also included are Holly Bourne's "Pretending," which examines the quest for perfection, Bernardine Evaristo's award-winning "Girl, Woman, Other," portraying a multitude of characters, and Heleen Kist's "Stay Mad, Sweetheart," a feminist thriller set in Edinburgh. The author emphasizes the power of these stories in opening minds and fostering understanding of feminist issues from various perspectives.

Opinions

The author highly recommends Jeanette Winterson's "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" for its humor and authentic depiction of life in 1980s England.
"Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams is commended for providing a unique insight into the experiences of black women in modern Britain, touching on themes like identity, racism, and consent.
Holly Bourne's "Pretending" is noted for its exploration of the pressures women face to be perfect, as well as its humorous approach to serious topics, including rape and female friendship.
"Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernardine Evaristo is celebrated as a significant literary achievement, offering a diverse chorus of voices that resonate with a wide audience.
Heleen Kist's "Stay Mad, Sweetheart" is recognized for contributing to the emerging genre of feminist thrillers and is described as a compelling page-turner that addresses inequality in various forms.
The author expresses a personal connection to these stories, crediting them with providing a gentle introduction to feminist thought and helping to understand the struggles of women in different contexts.

5 Enjoyable Must-Read Novels for Feminists

Wonderful feminist fiction from Britain, these novels are fun, accessible and mind-opening

I’m a self-labeled ‘feminist newbie.’

By that, I mean I’ve only recently come to describe myself as a feminist and to learn about feminism itself.

Oh, how I wish that I’d discovered it sooner and joined the various societies at university! Alas, I did not.

When learning about anything, anything at all, my preferred way is to learn through stories — this is where I turned to learn about feminism.

Initially, I found the core feminist texts too hard going and I admit that I didn’t understand much. Because of this struggle, I found myself searching for feminist authors and storytellers so that I could learn from them in the first instance. I knew that I would need to connect to stories before I tried to tackled Vindication of the Rights of Women or The Second Sex again.

Here are some of the most accessible and enjoyable feminist reads that I’ve enjoyed and I hope that fellow feminists, indeed, any reader — will enjoy them too.

1. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

I’m a bit of a pusher when it comes to this one because I love it so much!

This book is not only hilarious, it’s so well written and so true to life.

Oranges is a coming of age story, largely biographical, about a lesbian girl adopted by a fanatically religious woman from Lancashire. Set against the backdrop of a 1980s northern town, the book offers so much insight into life in England at the time.

Jeanette Winterson is a superhero in my opinion. Brutally honest, open about her damage, expert storyteller — I’d go so far as to say that she is the best author in our kingdom. Luckily, I’m not the only one:

‘Many consider her to be the best living writer in this language… In her hands, words are fluid, radiant, humming’ — Evening Standard, London.

If you’re still not sure about giving this one a try, I’ll add that it’s short and you can test it out in a couple of hours and it can be bought for a few pence on eBay.

2. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

Heart wrenching yet funny, this impressive debut is another coming-of-age tale that explores black female identity and sexual politics in modern Britain. Queenie is a young Londoner, born in a Jamaican British family and her tale tackles beautifully the themes of human relationships, immigration, consent, familial love, racism, and workplace harassment.

I loved this book even more because it brings a unique insight into the way women experience London life, which is close to my heart.

Hilarious, characterful, and confident, Queenie heralds the arrival of wonderful new talent in British fiction.

3. Pretending by Holly Bourne

Another hilarious read by an already acclaimed British author.

In Pretending, the main character creates the perfect version of herself in her mind, calls her Gretel, and then assumes her identity online and in real life. A fascinating exploration of a woman’s mind and how far someone can go to become ‘perfect.’

Whilst also exploring numerous other themes, including rape, female friendship, and the online search for romantic partners, this book is a laugh a minute whilst remaining honest.

4. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

This one needs no introduction really!

Already a global success, Winner of British Book Awards Fiction Book of the Year 2020 and Joint Winner of the 2019 Booker Prize it truly is a novel in a million.

Following the lives and struggles of twelve very different characters. Mostly women, black and British, they tell the tale of their families, friends, and relationships across the country and over the years.

Feminist or not, woman or not, this is a quintessential must-read.

5. Stay Mad, Sweetheart by Heleen Kist

This is my wild card entry by Glasgow dwelling Heleen Kist.

This is a book helping to define the new genre of the ‘feminist thriller’ and I found it to be a real page-turner. Being a lover of thrillers myself, I found the characters accessible and the fast-paced action of the book meant I read it in a day.

This plot-driven novel, set in Edinburgh, features three female lead characters whose paths intertwine. All three women tackle inequality in some way; in the workplace and in personal relationships. As with many thrillers, this one begins with a body and is propelled forward by many unanswered questions.

Final Thoughts

When I first realized that I am a feminist, I needed a gentle learning curve that helped me explore my opinions by connecting to characters.

These books all helped me in some way to understand feminism from different perspectives. From Oranges opening my mind to the struggles of women (particularly lesbians) in a male-dominated religion, to Queenie helping me to learn about the unique challenges faced by women from different cultural backgrounds.

I hope that you get as much from them as I did — happy reading!