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.

The Marvelous Land of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

Publication year 1904

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Hope, Love, Femininity, Gender Identity, Language, Masculinity, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Plants, Nature Versus Nurture, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure

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The Masterpiece

by Fiona Davis

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Art, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Femininity, Gender Identity, The Past, Place, Self Discovery, Community, Beauty, Equality, Fame

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gender & Feminism

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The Mindf*ck Series

by S. T. Abby

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Grief, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Femininity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Death, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Family, Siblings, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Revenge

Tags Horror & Suspense, Romance

S. T. Abby’s The Mindf*ck Series (2016) is a dark romance and psychological thriller that gained viral popularity on TikTok. Originally self-published, the series became a cornerstone of the dark romance subgenre and a key example of the “female rage” trope, which celebrates female antiheroes who seek violent retribution. The story follows Lana Myers, a survivor of a brutal gang rape who was left for dead 10 years prior. Now living under a new identity... Read The Mindf*ck Series Summary

The Miniaturist

by Jessie Burton

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Religion & Spirituality, Marriage

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, World History, Magical Realism, Fantasy

The Miniaturist (2014) is the debut novel of English author and actress Jessie Burton. The novel became an international bestseller following a bidding war in 2013 and won the 2014 Waterstones Book of the Year award. In 2017, a television adaptation aired on BBC One, starring Anya Taylor-Joy.A work of historical fiction, The Miniaturist is set in 17th-century Amsterdam. Narrated in the third person, the story follows the coming-of-age of protagonist Nella Oortman within a... Read The Miniaturist Summary

The Mistake

by Elle Kennedy

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hope, Love, Regret, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Future, Appearance & Reality, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Marriage, Mothers, Siblings, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Beauty, Fame, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags New Adult, Romance

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The Museum of Innocence

by Orhan Pamuk

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Femininity, The Past, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Romance, Relationships, Love & Sexuality, Arts & Culture

The Museum of Innocence (2008) is a novel by Orhan Pamuk. The novel follows an Istanbul society bachelor named Kemal Basmacı, who falls in love with his younger distant relative, Füsun Keskin, just as he is getting engaged to another society woman. As Kemal becomes increasingly obsessed with Füsun, he upends his life for her, leading to tragedy for both of them. The novel explores The Devastating Impact of Obsession, Modesty as a Tool of... Read The Museum of Innocence Summary

The New Dress

by Virginia Woolf

Publication year 1927

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Loneliness, Femininity

Tags Classic Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Education, Education, British Literature, World History

“The New Dress” by Virginia Woolf was meant to be an early chapter of the author’s novel Mrs. Dalloway, published in 1925. Woolf omitted the material from the novel, however, and instead published it as a short story in 1927. The story is a stream-of-consciousness narrative told from the point of view of the main character, Mabel Waring. The extreme interiority of the story and lack of a significant plot is characteristic of literary Modernism... Read The New Dress Summary

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

by Alexander McCall Smith

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Community, Femininity

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Humor

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (1998) is the first novel in the series of the same name written by British author Alexander McCall Smith. It follows the career of Precious Ramotswe, the fictionalized first female private detective in Botswana, as she solves mysteries for her friends and neighbors. Throughout the novel, McCall Smith draws on his childhood in Zimbabwe (bordering Botswana); he was born into a family of white British administrators under the British... Read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Summary

The Only One Left

by Riley Sager

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Power & Greed, Loyalty & Betrayal, Social Class, Siblings, Community, Fathers, Place, The Past, Guilt, Revenge, Disability, Femininity

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gothic Literature, Realistic Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Depression & Suicide, Disability, Grief & Death, Social Class

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The Other Bennet Sister

by Janice Hadlow

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Femininity, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, British Literature, Regency Era

The Other Bennet Sister (2020) is the debut novel by British author and former television executive Janice Hadlow. A work of historical fiction, the novel is an imaginative retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, focusing on the marginalized middle sister, Mary Bennet. Overlooked by her family for her plain appearance in a society that prizes female beauty, the bookish Mary seeks validation in her intellectual and musical pursuits. The story follows her journey from... Read The Other Bennet Sister Summary