Strong female literary characters are beloved by many for a wide variety of reasons, but all can agree that the world of literature would be a pretty bland place if not for characters like Scarlett O'Hara, Scout Finch, and Jo March.
In her book, THE HEROINE'S BOOKSHELF: LIFE LESSONS FROM JANE AUSTEN TO LAURA INGALLS WILDER, author Erin Blakemore looks at some of the most popular female literary characters in history and how they have affected her life personally as well as the lives of others.
Dividing her book into twelve chapters, Blakemore uses twelve different personality traits that fit fictional characters that she feels exemplifies this trait. For the chapter on "Happiness" she looks at Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables series, while the chapter on "Dignity" features Ceilie from Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple. Scarlett O'Hara was the epitome of feistiness in the chapter entitled "Fight," while Harper Lee taught her readers lessons in compassion through her character of Scout Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird.
Blakemore uses information from the author's background and what went into the writing of her books as well as offering parallels from her own life to round out the chapter. Each chapter ends with suggestions of the circumstances in our modern day that might have readers searching for answers and offers ideas of books with similar themes or heroines.
A slender volume, THE HEROINE'S BOOKSHELF packs a lot of information into its 200 pages and will be right at home on any literature lover's bookshelf.
An exploration of classic heroines and their equally
admirable authors, The Heroine's Bookshelf shows today's
women how to tap into their inner strengths and live life
with intelligence and grace. Jo March, Scarlett O'Hara,
Scout Finchβthe literary canon is brimming with intelligent,
feisty, never-say-die heroines and celebrated female
authors. Like today's women, they placed a premium on
personality, spirituality, career, sisterhood, and family.
When they were up against the wall, authors like Jane Austen
and Louisa May Alcott fought backβsometimes with words,
sometimes with gritty actions. In this witty, informative,
and inspiring read, their stories offer much-needed literary
intervention to modern women. Full of beloved heroines and
the remarkable writers who created them, The Heroine's
Bookshelf explores how the pluck and dignity of literary
characters such as Jane Eyre and Lizzy Bennet can encourage
women today. Each legendary character is paired with her
central qualityβAnne Shirley is associated with
irrepressible "Happiness," while Scarlett O'Hara personifies
"Fight"βalong with insights into her author's extraordinary
life. From Zora Neale Hurston to Colette, Laura Ingalls
Wilder to Charlotte BrontΓ, Harper Lee to Alice Walker, here
are authors and characters whose spirited stories are more
inspiring today than ever.
No excerpt available.
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