Last week I shared my favourite female literary biographies– as an historian, non-fiction tends to grab me right away. (And I know that that isn’t true of a lot of people, so I always try to share interesting bios/histories.) However, I also love reading fiction, as well. And each week, I recommend a different book on the blog (both fiction and non-fiction). I don’t tend to recommend a lot of classics, even though I try to read them and typically very much enjoy them. So, in honour of Women’s History Month here in Canada, these are my 5 favourite female authors from the world of classics!
My 5 Favourite Female Authors
I would like to note: these authors are all from the west. I am working on expanding my focus across the globe and continue to diversify my reading. Given that historically women have had few chances to be published, it makes for a limited list but no less worth reading.
Jane Austen (1775-1817)
Known for: Pride and Prejudice (1813)
Why I Read Her: If you have visited my site or social media, this will not surprise you in any way. Still, Austen is the author that I can continue to return to over and over again, and I think she is one of the most astute authors I have encountered. Not to mention she has a wit that really starts to jump out at you once you get familiar with her. Pride and Prejudice is a must-read of course- it is a masterpiece that quietly uncovers so many truths about relationships and people in general, but Northanger Abbey is my favourite.
Mary Shelley (1797-1851)
Known for: Frankenstein (1818)
Why I Read Her: I have to admit, I feel out of my element with science fiction. And given that Shelley penned the first science fiction novel, I could see why some might think that I wouldn’t return to her. However, her full body of works is rather varied and contain far more genres/themes than I originally expected. Of course, I think that everyone should read Frankenstein at some point, as the epistolary format (letters) in addition to the great philosophical questions. However, I would also recommend The Last Man and Valperga.
And as the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, it feels like her literary lineage should also carry some weight!
Edith Wharton (1862-1937)
Known for: The Age of Innocence (1920)
Why I Read Her: Although as a Canadian, I tend not to read a lot of American authors, Wharton has really grabbed me. I started with The Age of Innocence like many do; given that she was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize with it, it was a no-brainer. But much like Austen’s work, it immediately set me thinking on the constraints that society can place on us and how our choices can affect our lives. And now I am slowly making my way through her bibliography, to my quiet pleasure. She wrote over forty books, including novels and novellas, and even several non-fiction books (including on gardens and historic architecture). I must say, more than most authors: read the novel before watching the show/film- I find that her works tend to feel quite different from the original source when adapted to the screen. (The adaptations aren’t necessarily bad, just different- watch away!)
Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942)
Known for: Anne of Green Gables (1908)
Why I Read Her: Given that I am Canadian, I feel like this one was almost as obvious as Austen’s inclusion. Montgomery is known for Anne Shirley, the beloved red-head who conquered Prince Edward Island before the rest of Canada, and then the world! She built up a slowly expanding group of characters throughout the Anne series that make you fall in love with Avonlea, and the books are beloved for a reason.
However, my personal favourites are the Emily of New Moon trilogy. Emily is considered to be rather close to Montgomery in personality, and given the somewhat darker tone to the trilogy (though absolutely appropriate for tweens/teens), it gives you a lot to think on. Her bibliography is also extensive, and well worth a wander through.
Nancy Mitford (1904-1973)
Known for: The Pursuit of Love (1945)
Why I Read Her: I debated including Nancy Mitford here- I love some of her books and find others unremarkable. At the end of the day, though, I think that the ones I do favour are absolutely worth reading. The Pursuit of Love is another “commentary on society” book but I think given the Mitford family’s very interesting political divide, it adds another layer to the novel that gives you something to think about. Her biographies of Louis XIV, Madame de Pompadour, Voltaire, and Frederick the Great are actually quite interesting reads as well, and I love an author who spans fiction and non-fiction.
Who are your favourite female authors?
Cheers,
The Historian
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