ReBirth on the Page: Women Writing New Worlds

by Meera Mohankrishnan

Exploring a new literacy genre can often feel intimidating. Committing to a book requires your time and sometimes your money – so the Graduate Press is here to offer you some guidance. Feminist Literature spans a diverse range of forms, from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and drama. At its core, it challenges traditionally male-dominated narratives by foregrounding themes of empowerment and the lived experiences of women.

It is definitely a genre worth exploring, regardless of where you are starting from. Previous articles in the feminist column of the Press have drawn on writers such as Sylvia Plath and Kishwar Naheed to guide discussion of deeper debates in feminist discourse. This book review will continue in that vein, offering a short selection of thought-provoking recommendations to help guide your journey – whether you’re a long-time reader or approaching the genre for the first time.

Often seen as both a challenge to and a reworking of traditional norms, feminist literature naturally aligns with the theme of rebirth. Each of the works highlighted here engages with this idea in different ways; inviting readers to reconsider perspectives, question established narratives and discover new ways of understanding the world.

Girl, Woman, Other – Bernardine Evaristo

“What matters most to me, is that I know how I feel, and the rest of the world might catch up one day, even if it’ll be a quiet revolution over longer than my lifetime, if it happens at all”

A true gem in contemporary feminist literature, Bernardine Evaristo’s ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, winner of the 2019 Booker Prize, offers a rich exploration of twelve interconnected lives, most of them Black British women. Each chapter centres on a different voice, highlighting how female identity is inherently intersectional. Focusing on women of colour in modern British society, the novel brings visibility to marginalised voices and directly challenges the idea of a singular female experience. In doing so, it deepens discussions of race and gender in feminist discourse. The theme of rebirth runs subtly throughout, as characters confront personal and societal limitations which impact their sense of self. Growth in terms of identity is then framed as an ongoing process of self-definition.

The Vegetarian – Han Kang

“It’s your body, you can treat it however you please. The only area where you’re free to do just as you like. And even that doesn’t turn out how you wanted.”

Winning the Man Booker Prize in 2016 (the prize committees really know what they are doing!), “The Vegetarian” has become highly regarded as a powerful exploration of contemporary feminism. Critics have described the plot as reflective of “vegetal rebirth”. The protagonist Yeong-hye decides to become a vegetarian by her own free will. As the book progresses the decision increasingly reflects the first autonomous choice she has taken, to free herself from the constraints of societal and patriarchal pressure. Interestingly to emphasise this, we never hear from the protagonist herself, but the story is told through the perspective of those around her. Although easy to read in terms of length, the novel can be jarring. It starkly examines the exploitation of the female body and the ways in which this connects to both
mental and physical deterioration.

“Sexe et Mensonges” – Histoires vraies de la vie sexuelle des femmes au Maroc – Leïla Slimani

“En étant à ce point: « sexualisée » exhortée au silence ou à l’expiation, la femme est niée en tant qu’individu”

This book draws on extensive field research and personal accounts from women in Morocco to examine the social, cultural and legal frameworks which impact female sexuality. The author identifies three broad themes which are then explored throughout the book. Notably, how sexuality is used to subjugate women, the pressures placed on virginity, and broader calls for individual freedom. Through its focus on autonomy, the book reflects the idea of rebirth by encouraging a shift from lives shaped by external control to ones that respect personal agency. The use of varied testimonies from women of different backgrounds makes this a thought provoking and grounded read.