Books that Feature the Theme of Femininity

This thematic Collection highlights Books that Feature the Theme of Femininity. Through novels, plays, and works of nonfiction, the selections in this Collection explore the feminine experience in a variety of historical settings and cultures as they examine topics such as gender roles, feminism, and what it means to be feminine.

Grandma Gatewood's Walk

by Ben Montgomery

Publication year 2014

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Grandparents, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Aging, Death, The Past, Environment, Plants, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Nation, Fame, Safety & Danger

Tags Travel Literature, Action & Adventure, Biography, Inspirational, US History, Trauma & Abuse

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk (2014) is a work of nonfiction biography by Pulitzer Prize–finalist journalist Ben Montgomery. The book chronicles the journey of Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, who at 67 became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 1955. Carrying little more than a denim sack and wearing tennis shoes, Gatewood’s public feat masked her private motivation: escaping a life defined by decades of domestic abuse. A New York Times bestseller, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk... Read Grandma Gatewood's Walk Summary

Hamnet

by Maggie O’Farrell

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Death, Order & Chaos

Tags Historical Fiction, European History, Gender & Feminism, Health, Arts & Culture, British Literature, Elizabethan Era, World History

... Read Hamnet Summary

Hard Times

by Charles Dickens

Publication year 1854

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Economics, Community, Perseverance, Femininity

Tags Victorian Period, Satirical Literature, Classic Fiction, British Literature, Social Class, Gender & Feminism, Poverty, Education, Education, World History, Historical Fiction, Victorian Era

Hard Times is an 1854 novel by Charles Dickens. The 10th book of Dickens’s career, Hard Times is notably shorter than his other works and is one of the few that isn’t set in London. Instead, Hard Times provides a satirical examination of the fictitious industrial city of Coketown, England. The novel has been adapted numerous times for radio, television, theater, and film.This guide is written using an eBook edition of the 2003 Penguin Classics... Read Hard Times Summary

Headshot

by Rita Bullwinkel

Publication year 2024

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Femininity, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Future, Self Discovery, Social Class, Education, Fame, Wins & Losses

Tags Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Headshot Summary

Hedda Gabler

by Henrik Ibsen

Publication year 1890

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Power & Greed, Femininity

Tags Drama, Scandinavian Literature, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Classic Fiction

Hedda Gabler is an 1891 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It is widely considered one of the most accomplished plays of the 19th century. Ibsen was a prolific and highly acclaimed writer who penned over two dozen plays. Many of his most famous works focus on the challenging relationships between family members and the quiet tragedies of ordinary life. Hedda Gabler is one of the most complex, challenging, and sought-after roles in theater. Many... Read Hedda Gabler Summary

Helen Keller

by Margaret Davidson

Publication year 1969

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Disability, Femininity, Gender Identity, Self Discovery

Tags Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Classic Fiction, Biography

... Read Helen Keller Summary

Helpless

by Jessica Knoll

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Femininity, The Past, Social Class, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Romance, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction

... Read Helpless Summary

Hester

by Laurie Lico Albanese

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Femininity, Race, Self Discovery, Community, Good & Evil

Tags World History, Historical Fiction, Romance, Gender & Feminism

... Read Hester Summary

Home

by Nnedi Okorafor

Publication year 2017

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Femininity, Race, Family, Self Discovery

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction

... Read Home Summary

Homeless Bird

by Gloria Whelan

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Memory, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Coming of Age, Animals, Plants, Family, Friendship, Marriage, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Economics, Education, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, World History, Indian Literature

Homeless Bird, a novel written by Gloria Whelan and published in 2000, was a New York Times Best Seller and winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. Marketed to middle grade readers, the novel has elements of historical fiction in its portrayal of cultural customs in India. Homeless Bird tells the story of Koly, a 13-year-old girl whose arranged marriage leads to her untimely widowhood. Through Koly’s coming-of-age journey from helplessness to... Read Homeless Bird Summary

Honor

by Thrity Umrigar

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Hope, Love, Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Memory, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Family, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags Historical Fiction

... Read Honor Summary

Hooked

by Asako Yuzuki, Transl. Polly Barton

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Gender Identity, Friendship

Tags Horror & Suspense, Literary Fiction, Japanese Literature

Hooked, published in Japan in 2015 as Nile Perch No Joshikai, is a psychological thriller by Asako Yuzuki, author of the international bestseller Butter. The novel follows Eriko Shimura, a successful but deeply lonely career woman who develops an intense obsession with Shōko Maruo, a carefree lifestyle blogger. After orchestrating a meeting, Eriko’s fixation escalates and their burgeoning relationship devolves into a dark, manipulative struggle for control that pushes both women to their breaking points... Read Hooked Summary