Okay, I don't know if it's really a genre, but let's spend today thinking about books with strong girls and strong women as leads in the story.
You've probably already thought of Hunger Games and Pippi Longstocking. Well, here are a few of my other favorites:
The Good Earth
Does any woman have it harder than O-lan? She's not pretty and her husband treats her as little more than a slave. Her family comes close to starvation. She kills a daughter during the famine so the child will avoid horrific suffering. When the family finally comes into money, her husband takes a new wife.
Gone With the Wind
"As God is my witness...I'll never be hungry again."
Parvana's Journey
Parvana sets off in search of her family in war-ravaged Afghanistan.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
You have to love an African woman detective who declares herself "a woman of traditional build."
Anne of Green Gables
Anne can face down anything.
A Wrinkle in Time
The first book I called my favorite.
I still adore it, and Meg is most of the reason.
I still adore it, and Meg is most of the reason.
Love is a Wild Assault
Historical fiction about an early Texas pioneer woman who faced trouble in buckets.
A huge part of the story takes place in the county where I live.
A huge part of the story takes place in the county where I live.
Mrs. Mike
A woman who comes from privilege goes to live in the wilderness of Canada.
The Whale Rider
Kahu is destined to be the leader of her people, but will they accept a girl as leader?
Memoirs of a Geisha
Nitta tells the story of her life, sold into servitude as a geisha when she was only nine.
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I've read many of these books. All strong women.
ReplyDeleteI actually really like Scarlett O'Hara - glad to see her on this list. She isn't exactly sympathetic but strong she definitely is! And I always identified with Anne so much when I was younger!
ReplyDeleteHere's my TTT post
She's one of the strongest.
DeleteThis is a wonderful list! I haven't read any of them yet but I certainly need to. I loved the old black and white Anne of Greeb Gables as a kid. I really want to at some point.
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten
Anne is unforgettable.
DeleteGreat list Deb! It's always great to read a novel featuring a strong female character...Speaking of which, I still have yet to get around to Gone With the Wind :3
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
GWTW is a book everybody needs to read.
DeleteYes, yes Anne and Pippi and Heidi would be my three favorites off the top of my head. My TTT link
ReplyDeleteLove Pippi, too. Wanted to be Pippi. Still do.
DeleteMeg Murray is the BEST
ReplyDeleteYes, Meg.
DeleteI adore Mma Precious Ramotswe. She's such a fun character. I like your take on the topic this week. So many great female characters and books.
ReplyDeleteI admire Precious. She is passionate about her country.
DeleteYou listed some great books. And I had not thought about Mrs. Mike for a long, long time. Thanks for the memories with that one!
ReplyDeleteSo many people adore Mrs. Mike.
DeleteI think my mom had Gone With The Wind with that cover, and whenever I see it it takes me back. Plus I just love how they used to do covers like that. :)
ReplyDeleteMy mom gave me GWTW to read.
DeleteI REALLY like this topic! The Good Earth is such a beautiful read, and I've always loved A Wrinkle in Time too. My TTT.
ReplyDeleteGone With The Wind is actually on my TBR for this year! I'm not sure if I'll get to it, but maybe.. :P
ReplyDeleteI hope you do.
DeleteIf it's not a sub-genre, it should be! And thanks for including Mrs. Mike!!
ReplyDeleteLoved this list! The Good Earth was a fantastic novel and I agree. She was a very strong woman and put up with so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm only 200 pages in (out of 1300) but Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand has one of the strongest female characters I've encountered...Dagny Taggart. And so far the book is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good list, I've read and loved several of them. Though, believe it or not I've never read Gone with the Wind. :|
ReplyDeleteI haven't actually read many of these, but I love The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Great topic!
ReplyDelete