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Great American Women's Fiction
Savor these enduring stories, as relevant today as when they were first published, from the most influential women authors of the turn-of-the-century--Willa Cather, Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Edith Wharton. This anthology of complete short fiction represents some of their most significant and enjoyable work. The readers, four professional actors from Northern California, were selected for their unique abilities to portray the characters, the emotions, and the tone of each writer. 4 cassettes.
Audio CD
First published August 1, 1995
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About the author
Willa Cather
937 books2,804 followersWilella Sibert Cather was born in Back Creek Valley (Gore), Virginia, in December 7, 1873.
She grew up in Virginia and Nebraska. She then attended the University of Nebraska, initially planning to become a physician, but after writing an article for the Nebraska State Journal, she became a regular contributor to this journal. Because of this, she changed her major and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English.
After graduation in 1894, she worked in Pittsburgh as writer for various publications and as a school teacher for approximately 13 years, thereafter moving to New York City for the remainder of her life.
Her novels on frontier life brought her to national recognition. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, 'One of Ours' (1922), set during World War I. She travelled widely and often spent summers in New Brunswick, Canada. In later life, she experienced much negative criticism for her conservative politics and became reclusive, burning some of her letters and personal papers, including her last manuscript.
She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1943. In 1944, Cather received the gold medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, an award given once a decade for an author's total accomplishments.
She died of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 73 in New York City.
She grew up in Virginia and Nebraska. She then attended the University of Nebraska, initially planning to become a physician, but after writing an article for the Nebraska State Journal, she became a regular contributor to this journal. Because of this, she changed her major and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English.
After graduation in 1894, she worked in Pittsburgh as writer for various publications and as a school teacher for approximately 13 years, thereafter moving to New York City for the remainder of her life.
Her novels on frontier life brought her to national recognition. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, 'One of Ours' (1922), set during World War I. She travelled widely and often spent summers in New Brunswick, Canada. In later life, she experienced much negative criticism for her conservative politics and became reclusive, burning some of her letters and personal papers, including her last manuscript.
She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1943. In 1944, Cather received the gold medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, an award given once a decade for an author's total accomplishments.
She died of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 73 in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 17, 2013
I enjoyed this audiobook. I was especially interested in learning more works of these famous authors. THe stories were interesting but all sort of the same genre...women under men's thumb, (or at least many of them).
I would have liked some male main characters,. Maybe it was designed that way, I did not research the book at all, just grabbed it off the shelf and listened to it.
I would have liked some male main characters,. Maybe it was designed that way, I did not research the book at all, just grabbed it off the shelf and listened to it.
December 8, 2022
Full of gems.
February 20, 2020
Excellent selection of short stories.
July 8, 2020
All of these stories were well written, not surprising given the authors. Two stories each by Cather, Perkins and Wharton, and four by Chopin. I’m not sure all work well on audio, at least for me. I find it hard to be invested in heavily character-driven stories, especially those without much dialogue or action. I don’t think this is an issue with the narrator, necessarily. I think it’s more that when you read a story yourself you slow down naturally as needed to absorb what’s happening. Visual memory also plays a part in remembering names, relationships and details when I see the words. But with audio, there’s no visual connection and the story continues whether you’re following it or not. So I’m not sure my reactions to the stories would have been the same if I’d read them, but here they are based on this audio version.
“On The Divide” by Willa Cather - *** enjoyed this though could swear I’ve heard it before. I think I borrowed this collection before and didn’t finish it. It follows a rough man who lives alone, but decides to take a wife, literally when she tries to play him. Great characters, and a nice turn at the end.
“The Garden Lodge” by Willa Cather - * I’ve really enjoyed other works by Cather, but though I listened to this whole story, I barely followed it. Something about unrequited love between a lonely woman and an opera singer who lives in the garden lodge, I think?
“A Point at Issue” by Kate Chopin - ** this one just barely held my attention. Though Chopin does well at making you think you know what’s going to happen and then adding a twist.
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin - ** barely followed this one, seemed more of a character sketch than a story. Not much plot. By the time I finished the collection, I couldn’t even remember what it was about.
“Desiree's Baby” by Kate Chopin - ***1/2 for this story. I’d probably give the story itself a 4, but the narrator on this audio read the whole thing in a heavy French accent which I found distracting and annoying. It tells the story of a woman in New Orleans who makes an unexpected discovery when her baby is born.
“A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin - ***1/2 a very brief story, about a poor woman who comes into a little money which she plans on spending on her children, until she gets to the store and sees a pair of silk stockings. Character-driven but still engaging, and a nice snapshot of life in a bygone era.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - ***1/2 I’ve heard this on audio before, and it works well as it’s basically a monologue, being sort of stream-of-consciousness first person of an unbalanced woman locked in a room with yellow wallpaper.
“Three Thanksgivings” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - **** I liked this story of a resourceful widow determined to keep her house and independence, despite the well-meaning efforts of her children.
“The Pelican” by Edith Wharton - *** it took awhile for me to get into this story, which was, like the others, really more of a character study. Because the audiobook narrator was a woman and it’s first person, I didn’t realize the protagonist is a man until the end, which, given the historic setting, changes the story a bit. It’s the narrator describing a widow who lectures, poorly, for the sake of her son. It’s a bit reminiscent in theme of my favorite Wharton novel, The House of Mirth in that it’s about the dependence of single women on others in society for support. Ultimately, I liked this even if I suspected where it was going before the end. Wharton really is brilliant with characters.
“The Fullness of Life” by Edith Wharton - ** a rather odd story for Wharton, about a woman who dies and experiences the afterlife. There’s a bit of a character-driven twist at the end, but overall I didn’t love this one. Felt contrived to make a single point.
“On The Divide” by Willa Cather - *** enjoyed this though could swear I’ve heard it before. I think I borrowed this collection before and didn’t finish it. It follows a rough man who lives alone, but decides to take a wife, literally when she tries to play him. Great characters, and a nice turn at the end.
“The Garden Lodge” by Willa Cather - * I’ve really enjoyed other works by Cather, but though I listened to this whole story, I barely followed it. Something about unrequited love between a lonely woman and an opera singer who lives in the garden lodge, I think?
“A Point at Issue” by Kate Chopin - ** this one just barely held my attention. Though Chopin does well at making you think you know what’s going to happen and then adding a twist.
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin - ** barely followed this one, seemed more of a character sketch than a story. Not much plot. By the time I finished the collection, I couldn’t even remember what it was about.
“Desiree's Baby” by Kate Chopin - ***1/2 for this story. I’d probably give the story itself a 4, but the narrator on this audio read the whole thing in a heavy French accent which I found distracting and annoying. It tells the story of a woman in New Orleans who makes an unexpected discovery when her baby is born.
“A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin - ***1/2 a very brief story, about a poor woman who comes into a little money which she plans on spending on her children, until she gets to the store and sees a pair of silk stockings. Character-driven but still engaging, and a nice snapshot of life in a bygone era.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - ***1/2 I’ve heard this on audio before, and it works well as it’s basically a monologue, being sort of stream-of-consciousness first person of an unbalanced woman locked in a room with yellow wallpaper.
“Three Thanksgivings” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - **** I liked this story of a resourceful widow determined to keep her house and independence, despite the well-meaning efforts of her children.
“The Pelican” by Edith Wharton - *** it took awhile for me to get into this story, which was, like the others, really more of a character study. Because the audiobook narrator was a woman and it’s first person, I didn’t realize the protagonist is a man until the end, which, given the historic setting, changes the story a bit. It’s the narrator describing a widow who lectures, poorly, for the sake of her son. It’s a bit reminiscent in theme of my favorite Wharton novel, The House of Mirth in that it’s about the dependence of single women on others in society for support. Ultimately, I liked this even if I suspected where it was going before the end. Wharton really is brilliant with characters.
“The Fullness of Life” by Edith Wharton - ** a rather odd story for Wharton, about a woman who dies and experiences the afterlife. There’s a bit of a character-driven twist at the end, but overall I didn’t love this one. Felt contrived to make a single point.
December 21, 2011
Some of the stories ranked 5s and some 3s.
In order of ranking (high to low):
1. Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin
2. On the Divide by Willa Cather
3. Three Thanksgivings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
4. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
5. The Garden Lodge by Willa Cather
6. A Point at Issue by Kate Chopin
7. A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
8. The Pelican by Edith Wharton
9. The Fullness of Life by Edith Wharton
10. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
In order of ranking (high to low):
1. Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin
2. On the Divide by Willa Cather
3. Three Thanksgivings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
4. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
5. The Garden Lodge by Willa Cather
6. A Point at Issue by Kate Chopin
7. A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
8. The Pelican by Edith Wharton
9. The Fullness of Life by Edith Wharton
10. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
January 24, 2012
I enjoyed listening to these short stories (books on cd). There were a few that weren't my favorite (hence the 3 stars) but some that I loved. I really liked the last short story, an parable of a woman in heaven finding her "soul mate". Overall I would recommend the book.
August 7, 2017
The Yellow Wallpaper was clearly my favorite of these old stories, deserves its place in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Some of the others are pretty good, such as Three Thanksgivings, some not-so-great.
September 10, 2019
What a pleasure to revisit these authors - Willa Cather, Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Edith Wharton. Touching and insightful. "Early" feminist thinkers. How dare they? "The Yellow Wallpaper" is one of the best short stories ever.
May 21, 2009
Odd & old stories- some good, some I did not like much. Most were well written- an art more & more rare.
October 15, 2018
Did not enjoy this audio group - not even a little. Fortunately, I'd read most of the stories eons ago and was looking for a short story respite. Bad choice.
The stories written by women and of their time(s), as I often find, seem out of touch today and such not with just women writers but their male contemporaries. There too are many (wo)men writers today with whom I don't connect not because of gender but, like most things, reading taste and genre. It was the narrators who made this group almost unbearable to listen to. From grating to downright simpering (Kate Chopin), the first 3 disks were torture and the 4th abandoned. No amount of putting aside and listening later changed my mind. Sending you back from whence you came ...
The 2 stars are merely a nod to the writers but blamed on badly executed by poor selection of (heard) narrators who deserved (IMO) minus 3 stars.
DD@Phila
The stories written by women and of their time(s), as I often find, seem out of touch today and such not with just women writers but their male contemporaries. There too are many (wo)men writers today with whom I don't connect not because of gender but, like most things, reading taste and genre. It was the narrators who made this group almost unbearable to listen to. From grating to downright simpering (Kate Chopin), the first 3 disks were torture and the 4th abandoned. No amount of putting aside and listening later changed my mind. Sending you back from whence you came ...
The 2 stars are merely a nod to the writers but blamed on badly executed by poor selection of (heard) narrators who deserved (IMO) minus 3 stars.
DD@Phila
October 23, 2021
Some excellent short stories. "Three Thanksgivings" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a favorite. "The Yellow Wall Paper" by the same author was captivating and creepy, perfect for the Halloween season. I was surprised to learn it was written in 1892!
July 4, 2020
It was fun to learn more about these authors and their time through these short stories.
February 5, 2022
Great stuff. I particularly wanted to listen to The Yellow Wallpaper but there is much else to enjoy here.
June 7, 2023
Stories by Willa, Cather, Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins, and Edith Wharton. Some were very strange. Somewhere entertaining. All of them were read very well by various narrators..
October 11, 2024
I’ve always loved The Yellow Wallpaper. But there are many more delightful gems in this collection.
August 16, 2016
This is a collection of short stories by female writers of the late 19th and early 20th century. The collection circles around themes of female independence and standing in society as well as love versus obligation in marriage. Stories include:
On The Divide by Willa Cather
The Garden Lodge by Willa Cather
A Point at Issue by Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin
A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Three Thanksgivings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Pelican by Edith Wharton
The Fullness of Life by Edith Wharton
I've read The Yellow Wallpaper before and loved it. The desire to re-read the story is actually what brought me to this collection. Listening to it again in audio was a very different experience, and interesting to contrast the two. I would have to say that I enjoy reading it in print better, though. I found my other favorite story in the collection was Gilman's other contribution, Three Thanksgivings, which I found delightful.
I have read novels by Willa Cather and Kate Chopin before and am, honestly, not the biggest fan of either. Although I found Cather's contributions very well written, the ends of her stories didn't draw together quite like I would have liked them to. I found some of Chopin's contributions, on the other hand, less than memorable. Although I did enjoy Desiree's Baby. Same with Edith Wharton (who I had not read anything from before). I particularly did not like The Fullness of Life, which certainly didn't leave a good impression as the final story of the collection.
On The Divide by Willa Cather
The Garden Lodge by Willa Cather
A Point at Issue by Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin
A Pair of Silk Stockings by Kate Chopin
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Three Thanksgivings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Pelican by Edith Wharton
The Fullness of Life by Edith Wharton
I've read The Yellow Wallpaper before and loved it. The desire to re-read the story is actually what brought me to this collection. Listening to it again in audio was a very different experience, and interesting to contrast the two. I would have to say that I enjoy reading it in print better, though. I found my other favorite story in the collection was Gilman's other contribution, Three Thanksgivings, which I found delightful.
I have read novels by Willa Cather and Kate Chopin before and am, honestly, not the biggest fan of either. Although I found Cather's contributions very well written, the ends of her stories didn't draw together quite like I would have liked them to. I found some of Chopin's contributions, on the other hand, less than memorable. Although I did enjoy Desiree's Baby. Same with Edith Wharton (who I had not read anything from before). I particularly did not like The Fullness of Life, which certainly didn't leave a good impression as the final story of the collection.
January 27, 2016
Listing the stories included on the CD, as they aren't listed in the description:
Willa Cather: "On the Divide" and "The Garden Lodge"
Kate Chopin: "A Point at Issue", "Desiree's Baby", "A Pair of Silk Stockings", "The Story of an Hour"
Charlotte Perkins Gilman: "Three Thanksgivings", "The Yellow Wallpaper"
Edith Wharton: "The Pelican", "The Fullness of Life"
Willa Cather: "On the Divide" and "The Garden Lodge"
Kate Chopin: "A Point at Issue", "Desiree's Baby", "A Pair of Silk Stockings", "The Story of an Hour"
Charlotte Perkins Gilman: "Three Thanksgivings", "The Yellow Wallpaper"
Edith Wharton: "The Pelican", "The Fullness of Life"
July 12, 2020
This is a beautiful collection of short stories. Women of all ages can glean some insight, and perhaps evaluate their own situation in life to a point of inspiration. That certainly happened for me. These authors have crafted intimate ideas—some of which cut deeply, and others that seep slowly. The audio was well done, and now I want a hard copy.
May 26, 2015
Short stories are not something I would choose, but picked this up on audio & really enjoyed this. Each is from a woman's perspective & experiences at the turn of the 20th century. I think The Three Thanksgivings was my favorite although The Yellow Wallpaper was most interesting...
February 23, 2012
Stories by Edith Wharton, Charlotte perkins Gilman, Kate Chopin, and Willa Cather. What's not to love?
December 20, 2013
These women really know how to write a story. I enjoyed the variety of stories and want to read more of Cather.
January 26, 2016
Great writing. I loved listening to these short stories. What a great way to really enjoy these fabulous stories by women and about women.
June 30, 2016
This was a lovely read.
November 4, 2016
Some good, some great, stories. Some lousy, some decent narrations
June 3, 2019
Variety of authors.
March 29, 2017
Seeing that it is still Women's History Month, and Kate Chopin
is a favorite author of a friend of mine, I gave this audio book
"GREAT CLASSIC WOMEN's Fiction" a try .
The prose are quite over whelming in this audio book, but
I'm glad I got to listen to a few of Kate Chopin's short stories.
January 25, 2018
Each of these short stories have quirky endings which makes them standout and enjoyable. My favorite "The Yellow Wallpaper", oh my what a twist in the ending. Gave me the creeps.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews