The recent gorgeous and compelling adaptation of Little Women on the big screen has reminded us that feminists have featured in our favourite classic novels for a very long time now.
Far from being exhausted by the long fight for equality, we have as much energy as ever for making the world a just place. The women in some of our most adored books can still remind us now how to stand up and be strong, and believe in ourselves and love and a happier place.
Especially when we get so easily caught up in the 24-7 of social media and the internet, it can provide a moment of quiet and self-care to switch off and escape into a book. Meet new friends or be introduced to some acquaintances from long ago, cry, laugh, sigh, swear and basically get all human again.
So, we think it’s time to dust off some classics and rediscover these vintage heroines. Or if you haven’t yet read any of these incredible books below, now is a great time to find out how wonderful they are.
Here is our list of 7 of our most beloved classic novels with strong women crafting the tale.
Jane Eyre
One of the very first inspiring novels for women, Jane Eyre is a lovely story to curl up in a cosy corner with and enjoy all over again. This one is far from modern cheesy romance novels or chic-lit; Jane is smart, poor and generally considered quite plain, but she stands by her beliefs, is openly kind and giving and would rather be alone than with the wrong man.
This 1847 novel by Charlotte Bronte was radical and revolutionary when it was first published. It still reminds us to stick by our values regardless of what society tells us to be and always believe that we are worthy of love.
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott published this book in 1868 about the four strong-minded and kind-hearted March sisters and their struggles to become young women in the civil war era. Every one of the female characters is a boss babe in her own right, including their very forward-thinking Marmee and tough rich Aunt March.
The characters in this gorgeous book show us that no matter what you aspire to be, you should be true to your own path, and always remember that sisters rock.
My Brilliant Career
Written by Miles Franklin and published in 1901, this is a must-read, not just for Aussie girls but for smart women everywhere. It is the story of 16-year-old Sybylla who refuses to accept that she shouldn’t aspire to do anything other than marrying well.
It was written by Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin when she was herself a teenager, and published under the gender-neutral name Miles to disguise that she was a girl.
The Colour Purple
Written by Alice Walker in 1982, this is the story of Sofia. A young woman born into slavery and in a world where women were second-class to men, and women of colour has an even greater fight, she stands up for herself and follows her heart and her dreams.
Like all of the books on our list, Sofia’s story is tragic and harrowing in parts, and may bring you to tears, but incredible stories like this one need to be shared.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Whether you have seen the television series or not, the original novel of The Handmaid’s Tale (as well as last year’s very long-awaited follow up, The Testaments) is well worth a read.
Created by Margaret Atwood in 1985, this is a story of a woman fighting against a male-dominated dystopian society that seems scarily realistic in today’s political climate.
Offred is strong and smart, a woman refusing to let go of who she is and who she loves despite what the world throws at her. This is a modern classic and very hard to put down.
Anne of Green Gables
You may have read this one as a child, but again it’s time to see the gorgeousness that hides between the covers of this book. It holds just as many lessons (and laughs) for adult readers as well.
Written by L.M. Montgomery and published in 1908, this is a story about Anne, an orphan child who is fostered by an older sister and brother who gradually become her family. She is full of fire and wit, imagination and adventure, and romance and joy. She is fiercely caring and determined and hopeful – she would have been right up there standing beside Greta Thunberg today!
Kindred
Written in 1979 by multi-award winning author Octavia E Butler, Kindred tells the story of Dana, an African-American woman who is sucked back in time from 1976 to pre-Civil War Maryland.
Dana becomes part of life on a plantation, meets her ancestors and has to make some very hard choices as a black woman in the era of slavery. She is strong and smart, compassionate and courageous and you cannot help but be drawn into her story and the decisions she makes to survive and find her way home.
Looking for more strong women in Classic literature? Check out our latest Classic Box!
