The Awakening

"The Awakening" by Kate Chopin is a groundbreaking novel that caused controversy when it was first published due to its frank exploration of feminine sexuality. The story follows a woman named Edna Pontellier, who challenges societal expectations by expressing her desires and pursuing an affair with a younger man. The themes of sensuality, love, and the isolation of upper-class life are central to this now-classic novel. This LibriVox edition features recordings by eight female readers, highlighting the personal nature of the content. The Modern Library edition includes an introduction by Kay Gibbons, who notes that Chopin was ahead of her time in writing about American realism. The subject matter is categorized as adultery, fiction, and social conditions in Louisiana and New Orleans, offering a glimpse into the complex world of 19th-century women.