Female rage is an emotion that is often dismissed and invalidated. Society constantly tells women to smile, be pleasant, don’t be bossy, and above all else, DON’T be angry. This inability for us women to freely express our anger is reflected in the media we consume. More and more novels are beginning to come out that showcase female rage. In these novels, the emotions that we are forced to subdue in our day-to-day lives are magnified, which may be why they’re becoming such a popular genre among female readers. For anyone looking to add some female rage to their reading list this summer, here are my recommendations for the best novels that feature angry women.
- Gone girl by gillian flynn
-
There can’t be a girl-gone-crazy reading list without this classic. This 2012 novel, turned famous film adaptation, follows the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the possible involvement of her husband Nick. Filled with plot twists, morally questionable characters, and highly quotable monologues, Gone Girl is a must read for anyone looking to dip their toes into the genre.
- a certain hunger by chelsea g. summers
-
Cannibalism is a deeply disturbing topic that has been a favourite among horror/thriller media; take for example the Hulu original Fresh or the popular TV show Hannibal. In this case, the cannibal is Dorothy Daniels, a food critic who also kills and eats men. With its unique writing style and at times comedic tone, this book will have you quoting Lady Gaga: “I don’t believe in the glorification of murder. I do believe in the empowerment of women.”
- Squad by maggie tokuda-hall
-
This graphic novel is hailed as the perfect mix of Pretty Little Liars and Teen Wolf. The story follows four girls who are the most popular girls at school by day and murderous werewolves by night. Taking out their anger on manipulative teenage boys who take advantage of girls, this is the perfect read for anyone who has ever felt victimized by men and wishes they could take revenge. Squad is visually pleasing with an amazing art style and a thoughtful critique on the patriarchy, making it the perfect read for someone interested in this genre but not a huge fan of traditional novels.
- kim jiyoung, born 1982 by cho nam-joo
-
Often credited as being one of the inspirations for the MeToo movement in South Korea, this novel tells a story universally known to women. Kim Jiyoung, a stay-at-home mom, is sent to a psychiatrist by her husband after showing ‘concerning’ symptoms. Her life is recounted during this appointment and the constant force of systemic sexism in her life, as well as every woman’s life, is highlighted. This novel calls attention to the reality of not only South Korean women but also women everywhere, and starts an important discussion of the effects that this reality has on women.
- Eileen by ottessa moshfegh
-
Ottessa Moshfegh recently became popular online due to her novel My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and this book deserves equal amounts of praise. Eileen, the main character, is a young woman in the ’60s who takes care of her alcoholic father and works at a juvenile detention center. With elements of crime, obsession, self – loathing, and repression, as well as an intriguing character study of a woman’s psyche, Eileen will keep you on the edge of your seat as you go deeper and deeper into the story.
- Beloved by toni morrison
-
This 1987 classic and winner of the Pulitzer Prize portrays the ongoing trauma of slavery. Sethe, who was once a slave but is now free, is faced with the vengeful ghost of Beloved. This novel is known as one of the best American horror novels and for good reason. A harrowing story of mother-daughter bonds and the effects of slavery, this powerful novel is essential for anyone looking for a thoughtful and emotional psychological horror with women at the forefront.
Reading books from this genre, while mostly violent, can be surprisingly cathartic. Each of these books are angry at some form of systemic oppression of women, and instead of hiding this anger, they lean into it. They show that female characters can be unlikeable, violent, illogical, and scary; because sometimes you don’t want to be reading about a picture-perfect girl. They support women’s rights as well as women’s wrongs! Hopefully you get some inspiration from this reading list and check out one of these amazing books.