Classics · Literary
The Awakening
Edna Pontellier, a wife and mother in 1890s Louisiana, begins to resist the roles expected of her. A summer on the Gulf coast awakens a hunger for independence, art and love outside her marriage.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1899
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 187
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you enjoy short, lyrical classics about a woman pushing against the limits of her time.
Skip this if you want a plot-driven story or a happy resolution.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Awakening
- What is The Awakening about?
- Edna Pontellier, a wife and mother in 1890s Louisiana, begins to resist the roles expected of her. A summer on the Gulf coast awakens a hunger for independence, art and love outside her marriage.
- Who should read The Awakening?
- Read it if you enjoy short, lyrical classics about a woman pushing against the limits of her time. Skip it if you want a plot-driven story or a happy resolution.
- How long and how fast is The Awakening?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 187 pages, first published in 1899.
- Does The Awakening have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Suicide, Infidelity.
- Can I borrow The Awakening for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Awakening; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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