A quirky collection of short stories from the turn of the last century by a writer I'd never heard of before. Some gothic, some delightful, some feminist political polemic, all fascinating and well written. A true glimpse into history, with a well put together collection of the authors notes and comments to go with it. Some of the language is dated, and some of the stories a bit discombobulated, but a very worthy addition to our library. ( )

I'm not sure what to make of this collection. Some of them speak powerfully of the human condition and state of mind. Others are so much of their time and place that they seem to be period pieces, divorced from a current reality, the second piece, in particular, contains reactions that I think the modern mind finds difficult to catch. The title piece seems to capture a descent into madness, told through the pattern on the yellow wallpaper of their bedroom. The colour appears to change with the mood of the viewer and it's really quite haunting. It is certainly worth reading. ( )

An amazing book! ( )

Normally I have little attraction to or respect for Women's Studies" courses, and I'm troubled by some aspects of Feminism. But if this book were the primary text for a college class, I might just sign up.

What I found most interesting about this collection is that the title story is the earliest included. Gilman's later personal works were not so well-crafted. The classic story of madness is horrifying and powerful indeed, as are a couple of other 'gothic' stories including "The Giant Wistaria." Most of the rest of the many stories here are shorter and more didactic.

But, they are *all* worth reading. They show how a variety of different women, and groups of women, can make choices and make a difference, in their own lives and in society. Some are downright Utopian, many are *almost* implausibly idealistic. But all are inspirational and provocative.

Oh, but I should add, before you misunderstand... Gilman did not hate men. She hated the way some men dominate social structures in order to denigrate women, and there's strong evidence that she would have preferred the intimate company of women had that option been available to her. But men can appreciate this book, too.

There is one other category of works included here. Fascinatingly, Gilman did some experimental writing, crafting several stories 'in the style of' other well-known authors, including Alcott, Kipling, Twain, and Henry James. Those are impressive, and fun to read, too." ( )

These stories are written in a different time frame, almost a century and a half ago, they are more literature than the made for TV tales turned out furiously on the computers of modern day authors, turned out with stories of violence and sex to attract an audience, rather than with interesting stories about life’s challenges. This collection of short stories was simply a pleasure to read. Each one, on its own, had a different theme about women. One story was about a misunderstood woman going mad after the birth of her child, when her hormones were batting each other around like baseballs.

Another was about a young woman wronged, who haunts the dreams of those living in the home she once lived in with her fatherless child. The next is about a pampered woman who finds her own strength and grows independent. Then there is the story of a bitter, over zealous aunt who makes a deceitful bargain with her great nephews, only to be chastised by the minister for her duplicity.

The selection of stories is wholesome. There is a mixture of the real with the mystic. There is no stupid sex or foul language. There is really no violence to speak of and there are happy endings, of a fairy tale nature, in some cases. They cover the gamut of women’s issues, career, emotion, freedom, purpose, love, marriage, divorce, devotion, loyalty, faithfulness, religion, responsibility, and even vengeance, but all of the stories are treated in such a way that they do not tax the reader, but rather they entertain perfectly with the style and the message. ( )