Condemned as scandalous and immoral upon its release, Kate Chopin's The Awakening still stirs controversy over a century later.
The novel boldly explores themes of female desire, independence, and identity in a repressive society. Dover's Banned Books edition uncovers the outrage that The Awakening sparked in 1899 and why it continues to be labeled obscene by organized book-ban campaigns that push to censor this classic novel.
About Kate Chopin
A precursor of the 20th century's feminist authors, Kate Chopin (18501904) wrote short stories and novels for children and adults. The St. Louis native lived in New Orleans for a dozen years and set most of her tales amid Louisiana's Creole culture. Many of her stories were well ahead of their time, and she achieved widespread acclaim only after her death.
