Best Feminist Fiction Books December 2024

The Invention of Wings

Inspired by the life of a real 19th-century abolitionist, Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Invention of Wings” weaves a captivating tale of two women bound by the chains of society. Sarah Grimké, born into Charleston’s elite, yearns for more than her prescribed role. Hetty “Handful” Grimké, Sarah’s slave, dreams of freedom. Their intertwined journeys span three decades, filled with heartache, hope, and the unquenchable thirst for autonomy. Kidd’s prose soars, bringing to life a world both beautiful and brutal, where the wings of change are slowly unfurling.

The Priory of the Orange Tree

Sabran Berethnet, last of her line, must conceive an heir to protect her realm from the dragons that threaten its borders. But as she struggles with this burden, her lady-in-waiting Ead Duryan harbors a secret: she’s a mage, sworn to protect Sabran from unseen dangers. Across the sea, Tané dreams of becoming a dragonrider, even as an ancient evil stirs. As their paths intertwine, these women must unravel long-buried secrets to save their world from destruction. A sweeping epic of magic, dragons, and destiny.

The Power

In a world where women suddenly develop the ability to unleash electrical currents from their fingertips, everything changes. Alderman’s gripping narrative follows four characters as they navigate this seismic shift in power dynamics. Through their eyes, we witness society’s transformation, from playground politics to global conflicts. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of gender roles, corruption, and the nature of power itself. I found myself questioning long-held assumptions and pondering the book’s implications long after the final page.

The Buddha in the Attic

Julie Otsuka’s “The Buddha in the Attic” is a haunting, lyrical tale that follows the lives of Japanese picture brides who came to America in the early 1900s. Through a collective voice, Otsuka weaves together their hopes, fears, and struggles as they navigate a new world. The prose is sparse yet powerful, capturing the essence of these women’s experiences with startling clarity. I found myself deeply moved by their resilience and the quiet strength that permeates every page. It’s a book that lingers long after you’ve finished, a testament to the immigrant experience and the human spirit.

The Book of Longings

Ana, a rebellious young woman in first-century Galilee, yearns for a voice in a world that silences her. Defying expectations, she finds solace in her audacious imagination and secret scribal pursuits. When she encounters an enigmatic young carpenter named Jesus, their connection ignites a journey of love, spirituality, and self-discovery. Kidd’s lyrical prose weaves a tapestry of ancient times, bringing to life a forgotten woman’s story and challenging us to ponder the untold narratives of history.

Alias Grace

Grace Marks, a convicted murderess, haunts the pages of this mesmerizing tale. Atwood’s masterful prose weaves a tapestry of 19th-century Canada, blurring the lines between truth and fiction. As a young psychiatrist attempts to unravel Grace’s enigmatic past, we’re drawn into a world of class struggle, gender politics, and the murky depths of memory. I found myself captivated by Grace’s voice, at once vulnerable and cunning, leaving me questioning the nature of guilt and innocence long after the final page.

The Blind Assassin

Margaret Atwood’s “The Blind Assassin” is a mesmerizing tapestry of love, loss, and betrayal. I was captivated by the intertwining narratives – a novel within a novel, really. Atwood’s prose is both elegant and razor-sharp, peeling back layers of family secrets and societal expectations. The story of the Chase sisters haunted me long after I turned the final page. It’s a book that demands to be savored, like a fine wine, revealing new depths with each sip. A true masterpiece of storytelling.

The Testaments

In this gripping sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Atwood masterfully weaves together the voices of three women, offering a chilling glimpse into Gilead’s future. I was captivated by the intricate plot and couldn’t put it down. The author’s prose is as sharp and evocative as ever, painting a vivid picture of a world both familiar and terrifyingly alien. Through these characters’ eyes, we witness the cracks forming in Gilead’s oppressive regime, leaving me breathless with anticipation until the very last page.

Circe

Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios, is a misfit among the divine. Banished to a remote island, she hones her craft in witchcraft, crossing paths with mythical figures like Odysseus. Miller’s lyrical prose breathes new life into this lesser-known goddess, weaving a tale of self-discovery and defiance against the gods. Through Circe’s eyes, we experience the timeless struggles of power, love, and mortality in a fresh, feminist retelling of Greek mythology.

The Handmaid’s Tale

In “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, we are thrust into the chilling world of Gilead, a dystopian society where women’s rights have been stripped away. Offred, our protagonist, serves as a Handmaid, valued only for her fertility. Her narrative is haunting and deeply personal, revealing the struggles and small rebellions of a woman fighting to retain her identity. This novel is a powerful exploration of power, control, and resistance.