20th Century Women's Fiction
Sappho contributed poems to the Classics.
Hildegard of Bingen wrote plays
and books that recorded visions, science, and
philosophy in the Middle Ages. Ida
B. Wells crusaded against lynching during
Reconstruction. In our time,
women writers abound.
Women's contributions to fiction in the Twentieth
Century vary across genre
and style. From the romance novel to children's
stories, fiction written by
women is a cultural staple. The works of Toni
Morrison and Alice Walker are
seldom overlooked in English courses or best-of
lists. Virginia Woolf's work
inspired other writers, artists, musicians and
directors - male and female.
Despite these outstanding reputations, women
writers still fight the
assumption that their work is essentially
"female." It remains true that
novels written by women are read by women, and
that women's fiction is not
equally respected as part of the literary
tradition.
Check out these sites
to
see how women have contributed to fiction in the
20th century:
- 100 Great 20th Century Works
This list was created in rebellion to the Modern
Library's 100 Best Novels,
which included only 8 works written by women. The
alphabetical roster
includes amazing authors like Dorothy Allison and
Willa Cather.
- Celebration of Women Writers
An exhaustive index of women writers who lived
between 1901 and 2000, this
site gives links to outside biographies,
articles, and essays wherever
possible. Great site for finding information on
even the most obscure women
writers.
- Voices from the Gaps
Searchable by name, birthplace, racial/ethnic
background or significant
dates, this comprehensive URL offers educational
resources, Listserv
discussions, calls for papers and background
research bibliographies on
women
writers of color.
Sites dedicated to some essential authors from
the 20th century:
- Contemporary Women Writers
This beautiful site offers the most complete
information for
Amy Tan,
Toni Morrison
and Alice Walker.
Biographies include links to encyclopedias,
personal homepages and official
websites. Each work is highlighted by excerpts,
interviews, reviews and
essays. Links to many articles also make these
sites the most user-friendly
and comprehensive out there.
- Isabel Allende
The official site of this Chilean author of The
House of Spirits offers
summaries, reviews and links to international
additions for all of her
works.
A complete biography, photo gallery and
chronology add depth to this
well-designed homepage.
- Margaret Atwood Society
The official fan club for casual and intellectual
readers of this Canadian
author maintains a thorough site, complete with
information on Atwood events
and conferences. In addition, it offers primary
biographies and Internet
resources for excerpts, reviews, and essays.
- The International Virginia Woolf Society
complete with listservs, news, and conferences,
this webpage stands out for
its exhaustive bibliography and links to
everything Woolf. You'll find
e-texts and e-journals, as well as links to other
Woolf societies and Woolf
Studies.
Fifty-four percent of all books sold are Romance
Novels, overwhelmingly
penned and read by women. You'll find more than
sweet nothings at the
following romance sites:
- Subversion
A celebration of romance novels written by women,
this extensive site
features discussion boards, reader reviews,
author interviews and columns
about this romantic genre.
- Romance Writers of America
Thinking of writing your own steamy love story?
Check out this URL for
listings of local chapters, awards and speakers
sponsored by the RWA.
Itching to write your own book or short story?
Check out Wylde Women. You'll find previously unpublished fiction and
poetry by women writers. You
can
submit your own work, too.
--- Nicole E. Magistro
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