The eNotated The Awakening - EPUB

By Kate Chopin

eNotated by Gayle Birrell

Though most ebooks are simple conversions of paper books, "The eNotated The Awakening" is a completely new approach that takes advantage of ebook technology by providing comprehensive eNotations (electronic annotations) conveniently accessible through links and an active table of contents. Written by Gayle Birrell, long-time Kate Chopin fan, the background biographical, historical, and interpretive information she provides as well as 60 images and illustrations she has selected provide insight into late 19th century life in coastal Louisiana.

"The Awakening," published in 1899, stands in American literature as one of the earliest novels to embrace a female character with authenticity and grace. Set in New Orleans and Acadiana (French Louisiana region) with richly lyrical prose, author Kate Chopin weaves a provocative narrative infused with the people, geography, culture, and social attitudes of an era and place that is unique in the American landscape. Over the last century, the book has enjoyed a vast readership and has become a classic of study in educational systems, as well as a subject of wide-ranging criticism.

The eNotated The Awakening appeals to audiences of diverse backgrounds:

• The inquisitive reader of historic fiction who wishes to gain deeper insight into the Creole culture.

• A high school student who seeks literary perceptions that extend beyond typical academic critiques.

• The retiree who has taken up gardening and reading, and falls in love with Chopin’s description of the southern landscape.

• The feminist searching for classic literature in which a female character is portrayed with sensitivity and courage.

• The curious cook who delights in trying new cuisines such as the Creole dishes Chopin’s characters enjoy.

• A young adult who finds strength in Edna Pontellier’s independence and wants to better understand the context of the character’s behavior.

• The commuter who resolves to read more classics, loads his tablet for the bus ride to work, and wants to make his own connections about the story instead of reading academic treatises.

• A working mother who, in the precious time she has to read, can escape to a different place and time and learn something new in each short chapter.

• The culture hound looking for context between the literary, musical, and artistic realms.

• The reader on the hunt for 19th century literary realism.

If you read "The Awakening" some years ago or are coming to this poignant and insightful story for the first time, this eNotated edition will add a richness to your experience through its eNotations, background material and many paintings, photographs, and maps, not available with other editions.