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The Yellow Wall-Paper and Other Stories
Scandalous pregnancies, naïve romances and ill-fated holidays are among these seven short stories written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman between 1892 and 1914. Variously funny, heart-warming and harrowing, they carry the then-radical progressive feminism which made Gilman famous.
381 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2018
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About the author
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
1,085 books2,292 followersCharlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935), also known as Charlotte Perkins Stetson, was a prominent American sociologist, novelist, writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and a lecturer for social reform. She was a utopian feminist during a time when her accomplishments were exceptional for women, and she served as a role model for future generations of feminists because of her unorthodox concepts and lifestyle. Her best remembered work today is her semi-autobiographical short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper", which she wrote after a severe bout of post-partum depression.
She was the daughter of Frederic B. Perkins.
She was the daughter of Frederic B. Perkins.
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June 22, 2021“The Yellow Wall-Paper” is a classic, hitting home when it comes to how women are at times taken out of the equation of their own health and well-being because someone else “knows better” what they are feeling and how to “fix” them. Unfortunately, this is still a problem today, though often in less obvious ways. Many of the other stories in this collection are about women who start their own business, grow it from the ground up through hard work and common sense, and are then able to retire comfortably and independently. These stories get a little bit repetitive, but in the end it was refreshing to have several versions of that type of story left in my head, where the female protagonist wasn’t hoping for a love interest to come along, but was building a life where she could support herself against whatever outside circumstances were thrown at her.
April 1, 2024
Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935) was an early feminist writer. This book is a compilation of a novella and eleven short stories, starting with what is surely her most famous work, The Yellow Wallpaper (1892). They are well written, and the writing style is much more contemporary than expected. The stories describe the many roles for women of the time period and the challenges they face. The author uses her writing to convey her views on needed improvements. The stories specifically address patriarchy, the burdens of household labor, and the lack of opportunity for self-fulfillment.
The Yellow Wallpaper – the protagonist’s husband, a doctor, is treating the wife for “nervous conditions” by confining her to bed rest. It is creepy, dark, and unsettling. The woman becomes increasingly paranoid and starts to believe the ugly yellow wallpaper is out to get her. It portrays the frustration and decline in mental health of being forced to do nothing when she actually could benefit from mental stimulation, but her husband “knows better.” – 4.5*
The Giant Wistaria – A mansion overgrown with wistaria is believed to be inhabited by ghosts. Unlike most of the collection, this one feels more old-fashioned, using terms such as “thou” and “thy.” – 3*
According to Solomon – A discussion of wisdom is central to this story of Solomon and Mary Bankside, a married couple. It discusses the selection of gifts, and how the desires of the person on the receiving end should be taken into consideration. Solomon buys Mary expensive trinkets, but when a friend gives her a loom, she learns to make products she can sell. – 4*
The Boys and the Butter – Set in the past, probably the early to mid-1800s, a great-aunt promises to reward two little boys with $50 each (a substantial sum in those days) if they give up butter for a year. This one felt dated and didactic. – 2.5*
Martha’s Mother – Martha lives in a very small room, which she tries to persuade herself is much larger. Her mother, Mrs. Joyce, lives in a rural home with her widowed sister. She cannot do much due to an accident involving a horse. This story addresses the idea of individual happiness. – 4*
A Middle-Sized Artist – As a child, Rosamond loves to read picture books, and particularly enjoys the illustrations. She dreams of becoming an illustrator when she grows up. She falls in love and her priorities change. – 4*
An Offender – A woman is falsely accused of plagiarism, and grapples with the harsh reality of injustice. – 4*
When I Was a Witch – an early example of magical realism, with the protagonist attempting to relieve the suffering of animals, which she believes are being mistreated by their owners. – 3.5*
The Cottagette – Lois and Matilda move into a small cottage only a short walk away from a boarding house where they can eat their meals. When a writer visits them, Lois suggests they install a kitchen in the cottage so Matilda can make meals for him, which disrupts the peaceful serenity of the cottage. – 3.5*
Making a Living - Mrs. Brown is frustrated by the monotony of her daily life and the lack of recognition by her husband and children. She embarks on several entrepreneurial ventures, from selling homemade preserves to starting a poultry farm, in an attempt to find financial success and personal fulfillment, but runs into obstacles. It is about pursuing one’s dreams in the face of adversity. – 4*
Mr. Robert Grey Sr. – The titular character is a wealthy respected businessman who is pleased with his success and social standing. When he tries to ensure his daughters marry well, he runs into rebellion. His daughters assert their independence, and Mr. Grey must reevaluate his rigid adherence to traditional roles. – 4*
Her Housekeeper – Another story that explores a woman’s influence in the home and working women as a positive role model. I liked it but not as much as others in the collection. – 3*
In addition to a perspective on women's issues, I particularly enjoyed the author's references to the changes from horses to automobiles. Overall, it is a solid collection.
The Yellow Wallpaper – the protagonist’s husband, a doctor, is treating the wife for “nervous conditions” by confining her to bed rest. It is creepy, dark, and unsettling. The woman becomes increasingly paranoid and starts to believe the ugly yellow wallpaper is out to get her. It portrays the frustration and decline in mental health of being forced to do nothing when she actually could benefit from mental stimulation, but her husband “knows better.” – 4.5*
The Giant Wistaria – A mansion overgrown with wistaria is believed to be inhabited by ghosts. Unlike most of the collection, this one feels more old-fashioned, using terms such as “thou” and “thy.” – 3*
According to Solomon – A discussion of wisdom is central to this story of Solomon and Mary Bankside, a married couple. It discusses the selection of gifts, and how the desires of the person on the receiving end should be taken into consideration. Solomon buys Mary expensive trinkets, but when a friend gives her a loom, she learns to make products she can sell. – 4*
The Boys and the Butter – Set in the past, probably the early to mid-1800s, a great-aunt promises to reward two little boys with $50 each (a substantial sum in those days) if they give up butter for a year. This one felt dated and didactic. – 2.5*
Martha’s Mother – Martha lives in a very small room, which she tries to persuade herself is much larger. Her mother, Mrs. Joyce, lives in a rural home with her widowed sister. She cannot do much due to an accident involving a horse. This story addresses the idea of individual happiness. – 4*
A Middle-Sized Artist – As a child, Rosamond loves to read picture books, and particularly enjoys the illustrations. She dreams of becoming an illustrator when she grows up. She falls in love and her priorities change. – 4*
An Offender – A woman is falsely accused of plagiarism, and grapples with the harsh reality of injustice. – 4*
When I Was a Witch – an early example of magical realism, with the protagonist attempting to relieve the suffering of animals, which she believes are being mistreated by their owners. – 3.5*
The Cottagette – Lois and Matilda move into a small cottage only a short walk away from a boarding house where they can eat their meals. When a writer visits them, Lois suggests they install a kitchen in the cottage so Matilda can make meals for him, which disrupts the peaceful serenity of the cottage. – 3.5*
Making a Living - Mrs. Brown is frustrated by the monotony of her daily life and the lack of recognition by her husband and children. She embarks on several entrepreneurial ventures, from selling homemade preserves to starting a poultry farm, in an attempt to find financial success and personal fulfillment, but runs into obstacles. It is about pursuing one’s dreams in the face of adversity. – 4*
Mr. Robert Grey Sr. – The titular character is a wealthy respected businessman who is pleased with his success and social standing. When he tries to ensure his daughters marry well, he runs into rebellion. His daughters assert their independence, and Mr. Grey must reevaluate his rigid adherence to traditional roles. – 4*
Her Housekeeper – Another story that explores a woman’s influence in the home and working women as a positive role model. I liked it but not as much as others in the collection. – 3*
In addition to a perspective on women's issues, I particularly enjoyed the author's references to the changes from horses to automobiles. Overall, it is a solid collection.
February 2, 2019
The writing isn't the most spectacular thing I've ever read, but I'm still giving this five stars. It's incredible that "The Yellow Wallpaper" was written in 1892. These stories are groundbreaking for their time, and startlingly relevant for our modern ears 100+ years later.
Some pieces are stronger than others, but the themes work across the entire volume cohesively. There's counter-cultural female independence during a strict Victorian age, but the theme of independence is wider than that: this is general human independence. Each woman or man rebels against very different societal expectations and constricting circumstances in their own subtle way. Yes, it's about women learning that their work is valuable, and they can have roles above and beyond childrearing and homemaking -- but the exciting part is: we also get to see other female characters being gently guided back to conform to the classic role because that's the best thing for them (i.e. obeying moral rules, getting married). Not outright rejecting these societal norms, but not being confined to them either. An equal balance. Now that's true feminism.
This collection of short stories includes:
"The Yellow Wallpaper" (Gilman’s best)
"The Giant Wisteria" (sad and haunting)
"According to Solomon" (outright oppression)
"The Boys and the Butter" (disappointment and morality)
"Her Housekeeper" (particularly cute)
"Martha’s Mother" (older female independence)
"A Middle-Sized Artist" (classically romantic)
"An Offender" (reasons for marriage)
"When I Was a Witch" (more an idea than a story)
"The Cottagette" (female homemaker)
"Making a Living" (making a home)
"Mr. Robert Grey Sr." (female obligations)
Some pieces are stronger than others, but the themes work across the entire volume cohesively. There's counter-cultural female independence during a strict Victorian age, but the theme of independence is wider than that: this is general human independence. Each woman or man rebels against very different societal expectations and constricting circumstances in their own subtle way. Yes, it's about women learning that their work is valuable, and they can have roles above and beyond childrearing and homemaking -- but the exciting part is: we also get to see other female characters being gently guided back to conform to the classic role because that's the best thing for them (i.e. obeying moral rules, getting married). Not outright rejecting these societal norms, but not being confined to them either. An equal balance. Now that's true feminism.
This collection of short stories includes:
"The Yellow Wallpaper" (Gilman’s best)
"The Giant Wisteria" (sad and haunting)
"According to Solomon" (outright oppression)
"The Boys and the Butter" (disappointment and morality)
"Her Housekeeper" (particularly cute)
"Martha’s Mother" (older female independence)
"A Middle-Sized Artist" (classically romantic)
"An Offender" (reasons for marriage)
"When I Was a Witch" (more an idea than a story)
"The Cottagette" (female homemaker)
"Making a Living" (making a home)
"Mr. Robert Grey Sr." (female obligations)
April 10, 2023
4*
'The Yellow Wallpaper' is still a banger 🔥
'The Yellow Wallpaper' is still a banger 🔥
September 24, 2020
I read the title story some years ago so I just read the other stories. These were so much more positive and hopeful about the place of women in society and how it can be improved. Some were more like manifestos than stories and others were more interesting as they were character driven.
August 21, 2024
This book is a marvellous collection of sometimes-disturbing, often-warm, and dare-I-say feminist short stories.
While there is something defeatist about the protagonist Jane from “The Yellow Wallpaper”, the rest of Gilman’s stories are more optimistic, and often recount average but admirable tales of women who uniquely assert themselves in patriarchal society to excel in their individuality.
Gilman offers wisdom surrounding her observations about femininity and masculinity, and the versatile experiences women and men have in each. Many of Gilman’s stories are about women’s fight for finding contentment both outside of and within marriage and motherhood. They are about women who are unhappily and happily married, as well as women who are happily and unhappily unmarried; they are about women who dedicate their lives to motherhood, women who dedicate their lives to business, and women who have the will and way to dedicate their lives to both. They are about men, too—men who encourage women’s capacity for individuality, men who try to restrict that capacity, and men who find themselves beginning to understand or reconcile with that capacity.
Gilman’s stories simply offer such a lastingly innovative perspective on the nuance of possibility and pursuit for each unique individual’s vision of fulfilment.
While there is something defeatist about the protagonist Jane from “The Yellow Wallpaper”, the rest of Gilman’s stories are more optimistic, and often recount average but admirable tales of women who uniquely assert themselves in patriarchal society to excel in their individuality.
Gilman offers wisdom surrounding her observations about femininity and masculinity, and the versatile experiences women and men have in each. Many of Gilman’s stories are about women’s fight for finding contentment both outside of and within marriage and motherhood. They are about women who are unhappily and happily married, as well as women who are happily and unhappily unmarried; they are about women who dedicate their lives to motherhood, women who dedicate their lives to business, and women who have the will and way to dedicate their lives to both. They are about men, too—men who encourage women’s capacity for individuality, men who try to restrict that capacity, and men who find themselves beginning to understand or reconcile with that capacity.
Gilman’s stories simply offer such a lastingly innovative perspective on the nuance of possibility and pursuit for each unique individual’s vision of fulfilment.
October 20, 2025
Ако феминизмът можеше да се въплъти в някого, то това щеше бъде Шарлот Пъркинс Гилман.
January 29, 2023
Dnf at 60%
I thought there was merit to the yellow wallpaper but not really the other stories. Something felt off about them and then I read more about the author and she was a eugenicist who thought immigrants were diluting the “pure blood” of the people who lived in the US (only the white people ofc). Reeks of white feminism. Not going to finish.
Also for the most part the problems the women faced in the stories were so simplistic and easily solved.
I thought there was merit to the yellow wallpaper but not really the other stories. Something felt off about them and then I read more about the author and she was a eugenicist who thought immigrants were diluting the “pure blood” of the people who lived in the US (only the white people ofc). Reeks of white feminism. Not going to finish.
Also for the most part the problems the women faced in the stories were so simplistic and easily solved.
February 13, 2026
This took me a while to get through because it started to drag; Charlotte’s writing is always witty and entertaining, but the stories could’ve been chosen much more selectively. This collection contains 32 stories and about 20 of them were nearly identical in plot and moral, especially in the second half. A product of its time, many of these stories centred around women achieving financial independence and success, which, while surely groundbreaking and liberating at the time, now amounts to a lot of math. I guess I am just not the right flavour of feminist to enjoy reading endless stories about starting a business, but - honestly and truly - good for her.
Having said that, The Yellow Wallpaper is still the greatest short story of all time and there were several other stories in here that were unique, charming and important in their own ways. I’m thrilled to have experienced more of her work. Very much enjoyed overall but could’ve benefited from a more attentive editor.
Having said that, The Yellow Wallpaper is still the greatest short story of all time and there were several other stories in here that were unique, charming and important in their own ways. I’m thrilled to have experienced more of her work. Very much enjoyed overall but could’ve benefited from a more attentive editor.
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April 20, 2025---- April 20, 2025----
To be honest, I only bought this book because of the Yellow Wall-Paper and me wanting to read this story. There are a lot of other short stories by Gilman that I might get to but this edition that I own is so beautiful matching the rest of my Arcturus collections. Such a fast read I may be out of my reading slump.
To be honest, I only bought this book because of the Yellow Wall-Paper and me wanting to read this story. There are a lot of other short stories by Gilman that I might get to but this edition that I own is so beautiful matching the rest of my Arcturus collections. Such a fast read I may be out of my reading slump.
October 20, 2024
less racist than the bell jar but still a couple parts. also why were all the stories about boarders. but there were a few i thought were really good and certainly important at the time.
August 10, 2025
Product of its time (il y a qques histoires en particulier qui avait vraiment des racist portrayals) mais il y a quelques histoires que j’ai aimées (the yellow wall-paper, when I was a witch).
December 6, 2024
I wish I disliked men in the same way that she disliked men (and doctors)
July 27, 2022
Wow, the title story was phenomenal! The woman’s descent into insanity felt like a gravitational pull into the abyss! It made me wonder if insanity is contagious. I recently read “A Separate Piece” where one of the characters had lost it after joining the army and began telling the protagonist about their experience, rambling on about nonsense while displaying odd gestures. Feeling uncomfortable, the protagonist yells at the lunatic to stop talking because he doesn't want to hear or see more. I wonder if they felt the same…an instinct we as humans have to stay away from. Is it just a natural pulling effect or are we drawn to it because the behavior is so rash? Either way, it was great!
As the blurb suggests, all of the stories in this book focus on the social, economic, and personal relationship between men and women, In "Three Thanksgivings", the protagonist struggles for economic freedom as a man tries to pressure her into marriage by telling her that she can't afford to live on her own, and the only way she can continue having a roof over her head would be to marry him or move in with one of her children, both of which she does not want to do.
"The Cottegete" tells the story of a woman who gives up her livelihood for a man she's in love with. The goal is to appease him so that he will ask for her hand in marriage. It has a surprising twist which examines gender roles.
There was a lot going on in “Turned”. An affair between a man and his maid is uncovered by his wife. I particularly enjoyed the way it illustrated our instinct to immediately react when faced with something emotionally devastating. Impulsive thoughts can lead to poor decisions and as we calm down, we are able to make clearer decisions. So what does a wife/woman to do in those moments? Should she reconcile with her husband?
In, “Making a Change”, there is a disagreement between a young mother and her mother-in-law over how to raise the child. They are brought closer together by a close encounter with death that is unknown to the husband. In spite of the husband's opposition, they start a babysitting business and he believes that his diligent work is helping to support the family.
A woman fantasizes “If I were a man” and is given the opportunity to experience what it would be like as a man for a day by becoming her husband. With her own money, working outside the home, and the freedom to make her own decisions, she learns what it's like to be independent. She has a new perspective on women's fashion, and learns that she particularly doesn’t like women’s hats. Her husband's friends engage her in conversation where they have biased shameful discussions about women. She gives her opinion and discusses women's equality with men. And I think it’s interesting that the men took some of her view points to heart. But only because they were hearing it voiced from a man?
The last story, “Mr. Peeble’s Heart" was very different from the others. It is the story of an overworked man. His sister-in-law, a doctor, moves in and prescribes that he take a 2 year break from the relationship and travel. As a result, all the work will be handled by the wife and in law. Following the husband's absence, everyone was happy with the plan and became lively, including the husband. It wasn't clear to me what the message was or what I should be questioning.
There was only one story that really stood out, and that was "The Yellow Wallpaper". Other than that, the stories were okay. I appreciated the author's honesty in portraying men. The sentiment was genuine in the sense that men are reserved, make decisions, are the breadwinners, and are therefore viewed as leaders (at least in that time). Thus, clearing out a woman's livelihood and dreams in order to better suit him. However, the focus was primarily on the lives of women. It brought up a lot of questions about the treatment of women, since the main character was a female and her role in a relationship was so prominent. The fact that she leaves some outcomes up to the reader is admirable because it gives the reader a chance to reflect.
As the blurb suggests, all of the stories in this book focus on the social, economic, and personal relationship between men and women, In "Three Thanksgivings", the protagonist struggles for economic freedom as a man tries to pressure her into marriage by telling her that she can't afford to live on her own, and the only way she can continue having a roof over her head would be to marry him or move in with one of her children, both of which she does not want to do.
"The Cottegete" tells the story of a woman who gives up her livelihood for a man she's in love with. The goal is to appease him so that he will ask for her hand in marriage. It has a surprising twist which examines gender roles.
There was a lot going on in “Turned”. An affair between a man and his maid is uncovered by his wife. I particularly enjoyed the way it illustrated our instinct to immediately react when faced with something emotionally devastating. Impulsive thoughts can lead to poor decisions and as we calm down, we are able to make clearer decisions. So what does a wife/woman to do in those moments? Should she reconcile with her husband?
In, “Making a Change”, there is a disagreement between a young mother and her mother-in-law over how to raise the child. They are brought closer together by a close encounter with death that is unknown to the husband. In spite of the husband's opposition, they start a babysitting business and he believes that his diligent work is helping to support the family.
A woman fantasizes “If I were a man” and is given the opportunity to experience what it would be like as a man for a day by becoming her husband. With her own money, working outside the home, and the freedom to make her own decisions, she learns what it's like to be independent. She has a new perspective on women's fashion, and learns that she particularly doesn’t like women’s hats. Her husband's friends engage her in conversation where they have biased shameful discussions about women. She gives her opinion and discusses women's equality with men. And I think it’s interesting that the men took some of her view points to heart. But only because they were hearing it voiced from a man?
The last story, “Mr. Peeble’s Heart" was very different from the others. It is the story of an overworked man. His sister-in-law, a doctor, moves in and prescribes that he take a 2 year break from the relationship and travel. As a result, all the work will be handled by the wife and in law. Following the husband's absence, everyone was happy with the plan and became lively, including the husband. It wasn't clear to me what the message was or what I should be questioning.
There was only one story that really stood out, and that was "The Yellow Wallpaper". Other than that, the stories were okay. I appreciated the author's honesty in portraying men. The sentiment was genuine in the sense that men are reserved, make decisions, are the breadwinners, and are therefore viewed as leaders (at least in that time). Thus, clearing out a woman's livelihood and dreams in order to better suit him. However, the focus was primarily on the lives of women. It brought up a lot of questions about the treatment of women, since the main character was a female and her role in a relationship was so prominent. The fact that she leaves some outcomes up to the reader is admirable because it gives the reader a chance to reflect.
September 14, 2023
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a pioneering strong voice for women. Her stories are quite intriguing, impressively clever and easy to enjoy. These are not your typical short stories - I think all of them warrant a read and I didn't want the book to end. I borrowed this volume from the library, but intend to obtain a copy for my personal collection. I recommend taking a trip to the past and experiencing the literature of Charlotte Perkins Gilman for yourself.
I'm now interested in reading The Herland Trilogy: The Herland Trilogy: Moving the Mountain, Herland, with Her in Ourland
Favorite Passages:
The Giant Wistaria
Overhead the shadows flickered mockingly across a white face among the leaves, with eyes of wasted fire.
______
"To the bottom of the well, Jack?"
"To the bottom of the mystery. Come on!"
The Yellow Wall-Paper
There is one marked peculiarity about this paper, a thing nobody seems to notice but myself, and that is that it changes as the light changes.
When the sun shoots in through the east window - I always watch for that first long, straight ray - it changes so quickly that I never can quite believe it.
That is why I watch it always.
By moonlight - the moon shines in all night when there is a moon - I wouldn't know it was the same paper.
At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars! The outside pattern I mean, and the woman behind it is as plain as can be.
I didn't realize for a long time what the thing was that showed behind, that dim sub-pattern, but now I am quite sure it is a woman.
By daylight she is subdued, quiet. I fancy it is the pattern that keeps her so still. It is so puzzling. It keeps me quiet by the hour.
______
Life is very much more exciting now than it used to be. You see I have something more to expect, to look forward to, to watch. I really do eat better, and am more quiet than I was.
______
I really have discovered something at last.
Through watching so much at night, when it changes so, I have finally found out.
_______
I'm now interested in reading The Herland Trilogy: The Herland Trilogy: Moving the Mountain, Herland, with Her in Ourland
Favorite Passages:
The Giant Wistaria
Overhead the shadows flickered mockingly across a white face among the leaves, with eyes of wasted fire.
______
"To the bottom of the well, Jack?"
"To the bottom of the mystery. Come on!"
The Yellow Wall-Paper
There is one marked peculiarity about this paper, a thing nobody seems to notice but myself, and that is that it changes as the light changes.
When the sun shoots in through the east window - I always watch for that first long, straight ray - it changes so quickly that I never can quite believe it.
That is why I watch it always.
By moonlight - the moon shines in all night when there is a moon - I wouldn't know it was the same paper.
At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars! The outside pattern I mean, and the woman behind it is as plain as can be.
I didn't realize for a long time what the thing was that showed behind, that dim sub-pattern, but now I am quite sure it is a woman.
By daylight she is subdued, quiet. I fancy it is the pattern that keeps her so still. It is so puzzling. It keeps me quiet by the hour.
______
Life is very much more exciting now than it used to be. You see I have something more to expect, to look forward to, to watch. I really do eat better, and am more quiet than I was.
______
I really have discovered something at last.
Through watching so much at night, when it changes so, I have finally found out.
_______
July 26, 2020
I very very much did not enjoy reading this anthology. There were definitely some stories I enjoyed, like "Mr. Peebles's Heart", "If I Were a Man", "Making a Living", "A Middle-Sized Artist", "Turned", and "The Yellow Wall-paper" itself, but the majority were simple and repetitive. It took me a month to read this because it was so dull and some of the stories were actually repeats of one another.
There were two types of stories that had like five versions each:
1) Woman starts business/women's club and is met with immediate and wild success, allowing her to become financially independent.
2) Independent woman meets man who wants to marry her, woman declines until she finds out he's not like other men and is sensitive and has a secret feminist side.
They were all so predictable and literally the same???
I thought this book would be very though-provoking as a piece of classic feminist literature but the ideas were all very shallow and no issues were actually explored or developed. However, this was likely influenced by the time during which these were written, and Gilman's views were very foundational to modern-day feminism sO it's okay.
There were two types of stories that had like five versions each:
1) Woman starts business/women's club and is met with immediate and wild success, allowing her to become financially independent.
2) Independent woman meets man who wants to marry her, woman declines until she finds out he's not like other men and is sensitive and has a secret feminist side.
They were all so predictable and literally the same???
I thought this book would be very though-provoking as a piece of classic feminist literature but the ideas were all very shallow and no issues were actually explored or developed. However, this was likely influenced by the time during which these were written, and Gilman's views were very foundational to modern-day feminism sO it's okay.
February 27, 2022
These stories are an excellent sign of the times in which they are written, and a commentary on the roles and relationships of men and women at the turn of the 20th century. The stories are short and readable, and left me with a lot to think about. I found it interesting that the collection is bookended by stories about characters having a nervous breakdown: in the first, a male doctor prescribes the "rest cure" for a new mother, which means she has to spend weeks doing absolutely nothing stimulating; in the last story, a female doctor prescribes for her brother-in-law to travel in Europe for two years to reinvigorate himself. If that doesn't perfectly illustrate the disparity, I don't know what does.
January 25, 2024
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was on to something let me tell you. This book is a compilation of Charlotte’s short stories that she wrote over the years and they all focus on every day life feminism back in the 1800s and early 1900s!! I really enjoyed these stories because it really gave me some perspective along with just some funny stories.
September 5, 2023
Loved Yellow Wallpaper, Boys and the Butter, A Widow's Might, Turned (my favourite, A Partnership and others. Did not know her aunt wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. First, read YW and Turned in British Library Tales of the Weird.
March 25, 2019
And most woman don't creep by daylight.
February 24, 2022
Charlotte Perkins Gilman: feminist badass, ahead of her time.
September 11, 2022
Great!!!! But im terrible at reading short story collections, apparently
And the yellow wallpaper was easily one of the worse short stories included. Underwhelming, in my opinion
And the yellow wallpaper was easily one of the worse short stories included. Underwhelming, in my opinion
December 2, 2024
A bit of a baffling collection. Gilman has moments of real insight into women’s lives under patriarchy. However, these insights are clouded by a reactionary utopianism, the racism and classism of it all, and the overly simplistic prose. The stories aren’t subtle: most are an attempt to get women interested in the idea of a woman’s collective, boarding houses as a way for women to make money, and sleeping outside (?). Some stories get incredibly boring by drilling down into the numbers, serving as a sort of guide disguised as a short story.
“The Girl in the Pink Hat” really stuck out to me. It features a woman about to elope with a man who uses his status as a police officer to coerce her into a relationship. The protagonist helps this woman escape the man and, in the end, it is revealed that he is not actually a police officer, but rather a criminal, and the real police arrest him. And then everyone clapped, etc. Gilman often does things like this: sets up a (somewhat) interesting story and then seemingly abandons it for a neat, quick ending. “The Yellow Wallpaper” is genuinely good, but the rest of the stories are much more historically interesting than actually enjoyable. They paint a portrait of first-wave feminism and all the baggage that comes with it. Also, Gilman leaves race out of most of the stories, but whenever it comes up, her eugenicist beliefs become exceedingly clear. Would not recommend unless you want to hear about a lot of women become boarding houses and/or mill owners!
“The Girl in the Pink Hat” really stuck out to me. It features a woman about to elope with a man who uses his status as a police officer to coerce her into a relationship. The protagonist helps this woman escape the man and, in the end, it is revealed that he is not actually a police officer, but rather a criminal, and the real police arrest him. And then everyone clapped, etc. Gilman often does things like this: sets up a (somewhat) interesting story and then seemingly abandons it for a neat, quick ending. “The Yellow Wallpaper” is genuinely good, but the rest of the stories are much more historically interesting than actually enjoyable. They paint a portrait of first-wave feminism and all the baggage that comes with it. Also, Gilman leaves race out of most of the stories, but whenever it comes up, her eugenicist beliefs become exceedingly clear. Would not recommend unless you want to hear about a lot of women become boarding houses and/or mill owners!
November 26, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 ★
This took me almost a month to read, because realising how repetitive/similar the stories were - both in terms of themes, structure, character and plot - I decided to read one or two stories every night before bed.
Having already read The Yellow Wall-paper, I knew there would be merit to Gilman's writing. And plenty of these stories are ahead of their time, but only in some aspects. The stories in this collection are feminist (read: selectively feminist), but they're also filled with classist, ethnocentric and racist views. I did expect the occasional outdated slur, and they're definitely there, but I wasn't expecting just how limited Gilman's feminism was.
I still had some favourites, all of which I felt offered both unique ideas and modes of storytelling when compared to the rest; The Yellow Wall-Paper (duh), An Extinct Angel, An Unnatural Mother and When I Was a Witch.
This took me almost a month to read, because realising how repetitive/similar the stories were - both in terms of themes, structure, character and plot - I decided to read one or two stories every night before bed.
Having already read The Yellow Wall-paper, I knew there would be merit to Gilman's writing. And plenty of these stories are ahead of their time, but only in some aspects. The stories in this collection are feminist (read: selectively feminist), but they're also filled with classist, ethnocentric and racist views. I did expect the occasional outdated slur, and they're definitely there, but I wasn't expecting just how limited Gilman's feminism was.
I still had some favourites, all of which I felt offered both unique ideas and modes of storytelling when compared to the rest; The Yellow Wall-Paper (duh), An Extinct Angel, An Unnatural Mother and When I Was a Witch.
March 23, 2025
The yellow wallpaper is an interesting and engrossing story. I can see why people like it so much. However the rest... were the same story over and over. Woman hates her life (normal because of a man), follows her passion and makes money. I like a good woman finding herself but they were so repetitive. However the biggest is I was unaware of Gilman's views on race before reading but they became clear. What term exist for a radical feminist white supremacist? This is simply not an author I have any interest in reading again.
June 19, 2025
i was going to do full reviews for each but now i’m too lazy and here they are straight from my notes app
well written and haunting 4
sweet 3
i’m glad she didn’t cook for him but also sus since she didn’t cook because he said so regardless men written by women l. reminds me of that one idea abt how women can never be truly be free from objectification/male pov since they’ll always be subconsciously viewing themselves from the male POV or smth like that 3.5
okay female solidarity4
sorry all i can think of is not wanting children 3
okay preach 3
4.5 i enjoyed this
well written and haunting 4
sweet 3
i’m glad she didn’t cook for him but also sus since she didn’t cook because he said so regardless men written by women l. reminds me of that one idea abt how women can never be truly be free from objectification/male pov since they’ll always be subconsciously viewing themselves from the male POV or smth like that 3.5
okay female solidarity4
sorry all i can think of is not wanting children 3
okay preach 3
4.5 i enjoyed this
July 2, 2025
Such a good example of white, middle-class feminism. While I appreciated the feminist messages, especially given its time, most stories gave too much girlboss and too little intersectionality. The fight for equality precluded black people, who were portrayed rather horridly in my opinion, and was achievable only through capitalistic self-determinism.
To my surprise, the language and flow was quite nice. Yet disappointedly, some stories have almost the same plot line, and most characters share the same archetype.
To my surprise, the language and flow was quite nice. Yet disappointedly, some stories have almost the same plot line, and most characters share the same archetype.
September 19, 2025
I am currently on a deep dive in search of her other work now. The yellow wallpaper was well written and striking, and her other works included in this were equally as compelling. They’re hopeful, spritely, and quite obviously written by a woman. She has such a modern perspective on the world around her for it being written over 100 years ago. The story of the artist and her love was so sweet I was near tears. The pregnancy one was a refreshing take that painted the young girl as a victim rather than lustful and pathetic. Such lovely work. This should be required reading!
January 8, 2025
Fantastic collection of stories, some better than others, but all delving into complex facets of the feminist movement. I would recommend this to anyone wanting empowered themselves as a woman and to learn the battles women have faced to get us to modern day. (Think this would be so beneficial to young women on social media who have very surface level understandings of women’s history and accomplishments through hard work)
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