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Sep 16, 2015GLNovak rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
If you read this you have to take into account that it was published in 1899, not 2015. The writing is lovely but my modern senses were frustrated at times at the oh-so-correctness of everything. This is touted as a feminist novel and taught in some school courses. Edna Pontellier is 29 years old, the mother of two little boys, and the wife of a successful businessman from New Orleans. Up to now she has fulfilled her duties consisting solely of looking good, caring for her husband's well-being, running the household, and seeing to their two little boys. Her life appears to be bliss - servants to care for everything, a husband who does not abuse her, who gives her much freedom, children who are no trouble. We meet her on vacation, away from her normal life and her husband, she is at the seaside on Grand Isle where she meets Robert and feels something new and strange. He encourages her in her first triumph - actually swimming after years of attempts at learning. This accomplishment breaks her armour of convention and we see her slowly emerge as her own person. Robert figures prominently with a strongly hinted liaison between the two. Once home, with Robert gone to Mexico, she begins to live a new life. Her husband does not interfere and she quickly sheds the trappings of an upper class life; even going to the extent of renting and living in her own little house. The ending has us circle around to that momentous realization that she could swim on her own.