The Women's Room

The Women's Room
Cover of the first edition
AuthorMarilyn French
LanguageEnglish
GenreFeminist fiction
PublisherSummit Books (Simon & Schuster)
Publication date
1977
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
ISBN0-671-40010-X
OCLC3089386

The Women's Room is the debut novel by American feminist author Marilyn French, published in 1977. It launched French as a major participant in the feminist movement and,[1] while French states it is not autobiographical, the book reflects many autobiographical elements.[2] For example, French, like the main character, Mira, was married and divorced, and then attended Harvard where she obtained a Ph.D. in English Literature.[2] Despite the connection of The Women's Room to the feminist movement, French stated in a 1977 interview with The New York Times: "The Women's Room is not about the women's movement ... but about women's lives today."[3]

The Women's Room has been described as one of the most influential novels of the modern feminist movement.[4] Its instant popularity brought criticism from some well-known feminists that it was too pessimistic about women's lives and anti-men.[5]

The Women's Room is set in 1950s America and follows the fortunes of Mira Ward, a conventional and submissive young woman in a traditional marriage, and her gradual feminist awakening. The novel met stark media criticism when published but went on to be an international best seller.

  1. ^ "Marilyn French, Novelist and Champion of Feminism Dies at 79" by A.G. Sulzberger and Herbert Mitgang, The New York Times May 3, 2009
  2. ^ a b "Marilyn French dies at 79; author of feminist classic 'The Women's Room'" by Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times May 5, 2009
  3. ^ Behind the Best Sellers by Herbert Mitgang, The New York Times, December 25, 1977
  4. ^ A Bookshelf of Our Own: Works that Changed Women's Lives by Deborah G. Felder
  5. ^ Fictional Feminism: How American Bestsellers Affect the Movement for Women's Equality by Kim A. Loudermilk