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 Unicorn Hunters

by Katherine Arden

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Femininity, Gender Identity, Death, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Place, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy

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The Unworthy

by Agustina Bazterrica, Transl. Sarah Moses

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Death, Future, Self Discovery, Community, Good & Evil, Power & Greed

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, LGBTQ+

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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

by Maggie O'Farrell

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Femininity, Memory, Mental Health, Regret, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Daughters & Sons, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies, Siblings

Tags Historical Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Gender & Feminism, Psychology, British Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

Maggie O’Farrell’s novel The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, published in 2006, is the author’s fourth novel and tackles the grim history of forced incarcerations of women and the devastating effects of family secrets. O’Farrell’s work often focuses on women trapped physically, emotionally, and psychologically by forces over which they have no control, and this novel is no exception. Through a twisted entanglement of three different perspectives, O’Farrell tells the story of not only Esme... Read The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Summary

The Vaster Wilds

by Lauren Groff

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Nature Versus Nurture, Femininity, Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Trauma & Abuse, Science & Nature, World History

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The Villa

by Rachel Hawkins

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Friendship, The Past

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Literature

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The Viscount Who Loved Me

by Julia Quinn

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Aging, Death, Loyalty & Betrayal, Social Class, Friendship, Fate, Siblings, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Forgiveness, Memory, Daughters & Sons, Childhood & Youth, Love, Literature, Mothers, The Past, Family, Future, Appearance & Reality, Equality, Beauty, Self Discovery, Hate & Anger, Marriage, Loneliness, Conflict, Masculinity, Trust & Doubt, Grief, Femininity, Fathers, Nostalgia, Truth & Lies, Shame & Pride

Tags World History, Regency Era, Romance, Historical Fiction

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The Wall

by Marlen Haushofer

Publication year 1963

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Femininity, Environment, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger

Tags Science Fiction

The Wall (1963) is a novel by Marlen Haushofer. The novel features an eco-dystopia, with an unnamed protagonist trapped behind a clear wall while the world outside is frozen. As she strives to survive, the protagonist adopts various animals, making a family of sorts. The Wall uses the premise of ecological disaster to examine The Weight of Survival and Nature as a Dominant Force. The protagonist achieves Liberation Through Isolation by connecting with nature and... Read The Wall Summary

The Waters

by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Regret, Femininity, Animals, Climate, Environment, Plants, Family, Mothers, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Science & Nature, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Weight of Ink

by Rachel Kadish

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Love, Femininity, Safety & Danger, Perseverance, Regret

Tags Historical Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Love & Sexuality, Philosophy, Jewish Literature, British Literature, World History, Religion & Spirituality

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The Whistler

by John Grisham

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Teamwork, Siblings, Friendship, Loyalty & Betrayal, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Social Justice, Crime & Law, Politics & Government

The 2016 novel The Whistler by American author John Grisham is a legal thriller that centers on an investigation of corrupt business operations involving Native American gaming. The novel is based on the real-life corruption of US casinos in which entities outside the Native American community illegally offer financial incentives in exchange for long-term profit.This is the 29th of Grisham’s adult novels, which are primarily legal thrillers but also include contemporary and humorous fiction. In... Read The Whistler Summary

The White Devil

by John Webster

Publication year 1612

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Femininity, Social Class, Politics & Government, Justice, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Tragedy, Jacobean Era

First performed onstage in 1612, The White Devil is a revenge tragedy that is loosely based on the murder of Vittoria Accoramboni in Italy in 1585. The full title of the play is The White Divel; or, The Tragedy of Paulo Giordano Ursini, Duke of Bracciano. With The Life and Death of Vittoria Corombona the famous Venetian Curtizan). The play has been performed many times but has not been adapted for film. This guide refers... Read The White Devil Summary

The Witch of Edmonton

by Thomas Dekker, John Ford, William Rowley

Publication year 1621

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Community, Good & Evil

Tags Classic Fiction, Tragedy, Comedy & Satire, British Literature, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature

The Witch of Edmonton is an English Jacobean play. It was written in 1621 by William Rowley, Thomas Dekker, and John Ford, who were all established playwrights of this period. Other playwrights may have also contributed, including John Webster, who was working closely at the time with the play’s credited writers. The play was first performed by Prince Charles’s Men (a theatrical company patronized by Prince Charles’s estate) at the Cockpit Theater in 1621. It... Read The Witch of Edmonton Summary