From the article: Books That Changed the World
What books changed the world? Which of these were written by American women? Here's your chance to offer your ideas. Share Your Choices
The Handmaid's Tale
- The Handmaid's Tale is set in the near future within the borders of what was formerly the United States. It was founded by a racist, male chauvinist, theocratic-organized military coup as an ideologically driven response to the pervasive ecological, physical and social degradation of the country. The character is one of a class of individuals kept as concubines ("handmaids") for reproductive purposes by the ruling class in an era of declining births. The book is told by Offred, who describes her life during her third assignment as a handmaid, in this case to Fred (referred to as "The Commander"). Interspersed in flashbacks are portions her life from the beginnings of the revolution, when she finds she has lost all autonomy to her husband, through her failed attempt to escape with her husband and daughter to Canada. The epilogue implies that, following the collapse of the theocratic Republic, a more equal society re-emerged with a return of the legal rights of women.
- —Guest Arielle Karp
The Gate to Women's Country
- The story explores many elements from ecofeminism, which has been a hallmark of much of Tepper's writing, both in her feminist science fiction and in her pseudonymous mysteries. The question of the causes of human violence is also a major theme, and in the novel Tepper's society hopes they are successfully breeding violence out of humanity. In the novel, violence appears to be biologically determined. By selecting only nonviolent individuals to breed, the society is slowly increasing the number of such nonviolent members. Tepper is careful to demonstrate that it is only unreasoning violence, not the ability to learn to fight and defend oneself and others, that is being bred out. Both servitors and women of Women's Country demonstrate these skills, but never due to quarreling or the pleasure of fighting. It is more apparent that violent men are being weeded out, but women are also given hysterectomies and tubal litigations at the discretion of the medical officers.
- —Guest Arielle Karp
Mastering the Art of French Cooking
- Julia Child's massive cookbook proved that with well-written instructions, even home cooks could create impressive meals that went well beyond soup can casseroles. I believe it could be said that Julia and this cookbook marked the early beginnings of the foodie movement in this country.
- —ABENTRTAIN
To Kill A Mockingbird
- Harper Lee's only novel has taught generations of readers just how terrible and unjust life in the Deep South really was, and what honor and integrity must mean if civilization is to survive. Entire cities have read this book as a community reading project. In addition to its adaptation for the memorable film starring Gregory Peck, To Kill a Mockingbird has been adapted for the stage; it has been translated into dozens of languages. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel continues to challenge us all to be better people, to put integrity ahead of personal gain and to make the world a place where everyone has a fair and equal chance.
- —Guest Nancy
