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.

Dragonsong

by Anne McCaffrey

Publication year 1976

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Coming of Age, Animals, Environment, Family, Community, Music, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

... Read Dragonsong Summary

Dress Coded

by Carrie Firestone

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Equality, Family, Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Realistic Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Social Justice, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Dress Coded Summary

Dry September

by William Faulkner

Publication year 1931

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Justice, Revenge, Femininity, Race

Tags American Literature, Race & Racism, Education, Education, Southern Gothic, World History, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

“Dry September,” by American author William Faulkner, is a short story that explores racial tension, violence, and moral decay in a small Southern town when a white woman’s accusation against a Black man leads to violence. The story, which unfolds in five parts, revolves around the rumors that Will Mayes, a Black man, assaulted or frightened a white woman, Miss Minnie Cooper. Without concrete evidence, the men of the town exact their revenge against Mayes... Read Dry September Summary

Ducks

by Kate Beaton

Publication year 2022

Genre Graphic Memoir , Nonfiction

Themes Coming of Age, Social Class, Gender Identity, Loneliness, Economics, Environment, Femininity, Masculinity, Friendship, Community, Safety & Danger

Tags Biography

... Read Ducks Summary

Eat a Bowl of Tea

by Louis Chu

Publication year 1961

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Regret, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Race, Sexual Identity, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Marriage, Community, Immigration, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Asian Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

... Read Eat a Bowl of Tea Summary

Edge

by Sylvia Plath

Publication year 1965

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Grief, Loneliness, Love, Femininity, Mental Health, Death, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Art, Literature

Tags Depression & Suicide, Confessional, Free Verse, Grief & Death

... Read Edge Summary

Efuru

by Flora Nwapa

Publication year 1966

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Femininity, Community

Tags African Literature, Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Education, Education, African American Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

... Read Efuru Summary

Ego Tripping

by Nikki Giovanni

Publication year 1968

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Race, Femininity, Equality

Tags Lyric Poem, African American Literature, Black Arts Movement, Black Lives Matter, Gender & Feminism, Symbolic Narrative, Race & Racism, Mythology

“Ego Tripping,” also known as “Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why),” is one of American poet Nikki Giovanni’s most well-known poems. Giovanni first published this poem in 1972, which is the year that also marks Giovanni’s first trip to Africa, three years after the birth of her son. As the title of the poem suggests, this poem is a fulsome celebration of the many facets of Giovanni’s identity as a Black woman. Written... Read Ego Tripping Summary

Eldritch

by Keri Lake

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Love, Memory, Revenge, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Animals, Environment, Place, Community, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Horror & Suspense

... Read Eldritch Summary

Eva Luna

by Isabel Allende, Transl. Margaret Sayers Peden

Publication year 1987

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Femininity, Perseverance, Appearance & Reality, Community, Justice

Tags Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, Romance, Latin American Literature, Classic Fiction

First published in Spanish in 1987, Eva Luna is a novel written by celebrated Chilean writer Isabel Allende and later translated into English by Margaret Sayers Peden the following year. The story is set in an unnamed South American country believed to be an amalgamation of Chile and Venezuela. The eponymous Eva Luna narrates the epic story of her life against a backdrop inspired by the sociopolitical changes in South America from the mid-1940s to... Read Eva Luna Summary

Eve

by Cat Bohannon

Publication year 2023

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, The Past, Nature Versus Nurture, Family

Tags Science & Nature, Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Health, Anthropology, Anthropology, World History

... Read Eve Summary

Everything I Never Told You

by Celeste Ng

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Race, Shame & Pride, Family

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Celeste Ng is an American writer whose parents emigrated to the United States from Hong Kong in the late 1960s. She was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her debut novel Everything I Never Told You achieved both commercial and critical success, becoming a New York Times best-seller as well as Amazon’s Best Book of the Year in 2014 and a New York Times Notable Book of 2014.In his New York Times review... Read Everything I Never Told You Summary

Family Lore

by Elizabeth Acevedo

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Femininity, Love, Memory, Mental Health, Race, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Death, Marriage, Mothers

Tags Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Family Lore Summary

Fear of Flying

by Erica Jong

Publication year 1973

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Guilt, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Love & Sexuality, Gender & Feminism

Fear of Flying (1973) is author Erica Jong’s first novel, considered by many to be semiautobiographical. Like her protagonist, Isadora Wing, Jong was married multiple times, published a book of poetry, and earned degrees from Barnard College and Columbia University. She also underwent psychoanalysis, a process in which Isadora has been engaged for many years. Isadora is married to an analyst, and the novel follows her as she attempts to reconcile her desire for sexual... Read Fear of Flying Summary