When I read a review in which the reviewer (a woman) asked herself, “wondered why there aren’t more novels about female friendship; “was the impulse to make an overview of female stories.
For instance, when I read a review in which the reviewer wonders why there aren’t more novels about female friendship, I felt compelled to overview female stories. It’s time to acknowledge and celebrate the power of female friendship in literature.
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Elena Ferrante
I was reading reviews of all four books of Elena Ferrante’s novel My Brilliant Friend, and I noticed that many men were reviewing the novel. I thought they could never understand what goes through a woman’s mind and the complexity of their relationship. I wrote a post regarding the novel series My Brilliant Friend, and you can check it out here .
Reading Ferrante’s La frantumaglia further reinforced my belief in the importance of female voices in storytelling. Ferrante explains how she wants to be involved in the film adaptations of her work because she wants to tell the feminine side of the story. Her novel was adapted into a movie, and despite being directed by a man, Ferrante followed every step of his work to ensure that the feminine perspective was not lost. She never went public to protect her identity and her family; they exchanged many letters, and he accepted her way even if it was his project.
Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
My daughter got for a present this marvellous book about women who impacted history. The book is Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls. It is a children’s book packed with 100 bedtime stories about the lives of 100 extraordinary women. After reading the first book, I had to buy the sequel Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls 2.
Books 1 and 2, “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls”, have a fantastic narrative style that turns every biography into a fairy tale, sparking curiosity and excitement to learn more about each hero. Each woman’s story in the book is beautifully illustrated with a striking full-page, full-colour portrait that perfectly captures her rebellious spirit.
The book “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” has a distinct narrative style that turns every biography into a fairy tale, making readers curious and excited to learn more about each hero. Every woman’s story in the book is accompanied by a stunning full-page, full-colour portrait that perfectly captures her rebellious spirit.
It is an important and empowering book for girls, big and small, young and old. But grown-ups also can learn from this book. It’s not just little girls who can find role models and idols in this book. People with boys will gain a lot from reading this as well. Recognising women’s achievements (past and present) is important because they so often have been ignored. Both girls and boys can benefit from this. Teaching our children that men and women are equal will shape how they treat people, especially women around them.
Lucinda Riley
Lucinda Riley’s Seven sisters series is about six adopted female babies who grow up with six gorgeous young women whom we meet when their adoptive father dies. The plot is set in Switzerland, and the girls are all over the world except Maya, who lives in Atlantis, but even she was not there when he died. They were all distressed by this news. They all come home for the funeral. Marina, the woman who raised them with Pa Salt, gives them letters written by their father with clues to their natural parents.
I read the first book about Maia, the eldest daughter, and her search for her family. It was a very well-written, great story. I loved the characters and the places. She went to Brazil in search of her origins. I could imagine myself travelling and visiting sites all through her story.
I also read the fourth book because I did not know it was a part of a series. The plot is set in Australia, and I love books set in Australia. I felt as if I was taken into another world. Despite entirely contrasting her life in London and her growing up in Switzerland, it awakens something special in CeCe, something she will not be able to leave behind.
The emotional draft in this book is quite strong. It is fictional, mainly with historical elements and a romance that you will not want to stop reading. The fact that all sisters were adopted makes a story about women, not only sisters. They all differ in character and do not always see the same side of a story, but they still find a way of understanding. I think this is a solid message to all women because we often go against each other. I am all about women’s power, and many times in my life, I needed this alliance to overcome difficult situations.
Certain creators can captivate our hearts and minds in the world of fine art and intricate storytelling, leaving an indelible mark that lingers long after encountering their work. Lucinda Reily, a name well-known among enthusiasts of art and narrative, is one such luminary. Since I wrote this post, I have read all eight books in this series and I wrote three posts about the incredible sisters.
Dorothy Koomson
When I Was Invisible by Dorothy Koomson is about two eight-year-old girls with almost the same name and the same passion for ballet. They become best friends until a man, actually a teacher, puts himself between them and destroys this friendship. After that, their lives go to different futures, and they do not meet for a long time. Veronica Harper and Veronika Harper, known as Roni and Nika, are connected forever because of the horrors inflicted upon them when they were children. To make things right, they have to find each other again.
When I Was Invisible is a story of friendship and kindness. Being able to forgive ourselves is one of the hardest things we can ever do, but we have to accomplish that if we want to move forward after trauma. There are pieces of us in stories of Koomson’s novels, and that’s what makes them so beautiful and, at the same time, so hard. I read and turn to fiction to escape reality, but in Koomson’s work, I find myself. And again, in this story, female friendship beats the horrors of life.
Julijana Matanovic
I selected a Croatian author, Julijana Matanovic, for my last read, as I am from Croatia. Her books may not be available in your language, but they have been translated into German, Hungarian, Serbian and Slovenian. I have read several of her books, all featuring a female protagonist at the story’s heart.
The last book I read is “Samo majka i kฤi”, which translates to “Just Mother and Daughter” in English. The book explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter in a society dominated by men, with no men in their lives because the father has passed away. It is a compelling story about a strong woman fighting against a society favouring men and a touching tale of a mother who wants to raise her daughter to be open-minded about all walks of life.
Female friendship is a powerful bond that deserves more recognition in literature. The novels mentioned above explore the complexities of these relationships, showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of women as individuals and as allies. Whether through stories of historical figures, adopted sisters, or childhood friends, these books remind us of the importance of female empowerment and solidarity. Promoting and celebrating women’s achievements can inspire future generations to strive for equality and change the world for the better.
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