Women Who Did: Stories by Men and Women, 1890-1914

by Angelique Richardson (Editor), George Gissing (Contributor), Virginia Woolf (Contributor)

"A lady? decidedly. Fast? perhaps. Original? undoubtedly. Worth knowing? rather."

Daring and dynamic, the "new woman" came to represent the very spirit of the age. The stories in this anthology take up this phenomenon and examine society through the eyes of the new woman, as she encountered new choices in marriage, motherhood, work and love. Women Who Did charts a rebellion that was social, sexual and literary. It tells the stories of competing voices—of the men and women who entered into the fray of the fin de siècle, and were not afraid to confront, challenge or delight in the irrepressible New, in an irrepressibly new form, the short story.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction, Victorian, 19th Century, Feminism, 20th Century

528 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2000

Reviews

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fantastic collection. I'd highly recommend.

[Avril · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of ‘New Women’ stories from the UK and USA, the tales of suffragettes campaigning for the vote and women opposing the sexual double standard. No stories from beyond the Atlantic; what were women in New Zealand and Australia writing at the time? In both countries women had the vote during most of this period; it would have been interesting to see whether that made a difference in the stories told. Having just read a book about the British New Women’s support for eugenics, with their desire to breed out the working classes (and knowing about the huge fear of Black people and inter-racial relationships among Australian suffragettes) I also read these stories with a slightly-jaundiced eye. A very good introduction giving historical context; I just wish the Notes gave a little more information about the individual authors.

[Kobe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Daniella Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional collection of short stories (largely from the Victorian period), all about changing perceptions of womanhood and reevaluating women's place in society. All the stories are thought-provoking and insightful. I rediscovered some familiar favourites (Edith Wharton, Virginia Woolf, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Katherine Mansfield), and encountered some fascinating, lesser-known authors. The variety in style, voice and ideas covered would make it an excellent collection to write an essay about. I found much enjoyment in it and I'm sure I will revisit it in the future.

Favourite story: A Cross Line by George Egerton

[Meliha Avdic · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not possible to give this any less than 5 stars; it's a book of great stories.

However, the stars are also for the introduction. I enjoyed the introduction though I do have a lot I could add to it and say about it. However, I have a feeling Angelique was trying to stick to a very limited word count. I can't complain to writers who are already tormented with such blasphemy as 'word count'.

[Florian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing insight into debates about the New Woman around 1900.

[Natasha Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excerpts read for Revs and Evs.

[El ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of works.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book I would usually pick up and read, but I found the stories charming and tragic. I loved the George Egerton stories the most. All in all, a nice collection of stories.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books I've read give you such a detailed panorama of a certain period of time and its struggles as this one. The introduction by itself is worth being a book of its own.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some great short stories in this collection. I particularly like those by Kate Chopin and Katherine Mansfield.