Rating: 
Summary: For any woman who swore she'd never marry - then did.
Review: I liked this book a lot but I can see where some people mightnot. Like Atlas Shrugged, you have to have the same thoughts or lifeexperiences to appreciate it. You also have to remember throughout the book that this was 1899 - not 1999 - when it was written. Women had few choices and in the case of divorce, men took sole custody of the children. People call her selfish and whiny - but that's not what it is at all. She was forced by society & family to be in a situation that was against her nature. I could relate to her constant inner conversations and contradictions: Having deep love for her children while at the same time not wanting to sacrifice her inner self to them; having genuine care and appreciation for her husband but not feeling a passion toward him. Growing spiritually while your spouse stagnates in the material world. No unmarried under 30 can honestly comprehend this. I felt soooo ... vindicated reading her thoughts on Mrs. Ratignolle - the 1890's version of a PTA or SOCCER MOM (women who wander through life mindlessly making the trivial highly urgent in order to find *some* area in life they can feel importance). Edna would NEVER drive a van, wear a jean dress, or actually use a Longaberger basket to shop at the grocery store. Like Atlas, read the book and yawn but make a mental note to come back to it years later. You will either hate her or sympathize with her but you won't be bored anymore.
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Summary: Femininity described by a female author rings more true
Review: Having read this author for my Femininity in American Literature course at Harvard, I found Chopin's description of the smallest gestures and feelings much better than male authors in this time period. She makes the reader feel more feminine while raising ones ire at the assumed vulnerability the characters wallow in. Though considered a selection for the "well read" set, this is also a wonderful leasure read for women between 25-35 who are re-defining their idea of what being feminine is. Descriptive but definately not overbearing in imagery. The characters flow through their roles as passively as expected during this age, making the reader secretly wish their lifestyle was as carefree, if for only a week. A-type women will grit their teeth.
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Summary: Edna searches for happiness through escape.
Review: Being from Louisiana, I especially enjoyed reading about New Orleans and Grand Isle (which I assure you, is much more beautiful in the words of Kate Chopin than in reality). Nonetheless, the story was incredible. Edna's rejection of the woman's expected role is still powerful. A century ago, the story must have been ten times more powerful! Her relationships with men and her interactions with other Creole/ Cajun women are complex and psychologically stimulating. A great read...beautiful prose...masterful.
Rating:
Summary: Very beautiful....
Review: I thought this story was so beautiful......I have know idea why some people thought the ending was an easy way out for Edna, etc. etc. etc. I thought that the ending was perfect.....Whoever has read this, and enjoyed it, should definetly check out Kate Chopin's short stories.....
Rating:
Summary: Fun..Easy Reading
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very easy to read & understand. I had to read this book for my English 3 class over the summer & I really think it is a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Read it correctly....
Review: I thought that "The Awakening" was a beautiful story. For those readers who find the ending to be a cop-out, I think that you should reconsider your opinion in the light of a conversation that occurs between Edna, the heroine, and Adele Ratignolle early in the story. Adele, the ideal wife and mother, declares that she would give everything up for her children, even her life. Edna responds that although she would give up her life for her children, she would not give up "her self." In short, when Edna swims out to her death, she is doing this with her children in mind. Yes, it would be the best thing for her sons if she could make herself be a "mother-woman" like Adele, but that would be a denial of her true self. Something really selfish would have been to have left her husband to be with Robert and allow her sons to grow up with the terrible stigma of having such a scandalous background. Although she admits that she would not make the supreme sacrifice of self for her children, her suicide is a reinforcement of her responsibility to them, not an escape. Furthermore, I think it would help readers to consider how divorce was viewed during Kate Chopin's time. Edna would have been a true social outcast, having denied the sanctity of marriage. She could not have divorced her husband easily, or possibly at all. She had no viable options for happiness. This would have meant a life devoid of hope. Edna was not merely unhappy and undersexed. She was trapped, and many people who have considered suicide have described their state of mind as hopeless or trapped. Although a disfunctional marriage may today be something that can be dealt with through a number of channels, Edna was not so lucky.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any woman
Review: It makes no difference if you are content with your station in life or ready to break free and start something new: every woman should read this book. Written when men were men and women were to submit to them, Kate Chopin beautifully and somewhat chillingly portrays the tale of a woman who will gladly die for her family but refuses to live for them. Discontent with her role as a doting wife and mother and in love with another man, Edna Pontellier "awakens" to the possibilities of taking the step she knows may either destroy her or give her the happiness she so desires. I highly reccomend this classic book.
Rating: 
Summary: It Gets Better...
Review: The first time through this book for my Summer Reading, it was soooooooooooo boring - worse than the driver's ed manuel! However, after studying it in class, going through the backround, and exploring the characters - I like the book much more. I still think Edna's a pathetic character. Her situation is bad, but she didn't have to make the worst of it.
Rating:
Summary: excellent reading
Review: A wonderful read time and time again, Kate Chopin's words are forever relevant to a woman's life
Rating: 
Summary: The WORST book ever!
Review: I have noticed that many say that females love this book and the females can relate to Edna and her feelings about love, marriage, and children. As a female, I wholeheartedly disagree. Edna is a spoiled and whiny character who after finally "awakening" takes an easy way out that should never even be considered. Though she is "awakened", she is ultimately a weak person and I hope that no female reads this book and "awakens" to be the type of person she is.
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