Marilyn French ​

Marilyn French was a prominent American feminist writer and literary critic. She is best known for her debut novel The Women's Room, which explores the oppression of women in the confines of marriage and society, and became a classic of feminist literature.

Quick Facts ​

• She is best known for her novel The Women's Room.
• Her works often centered on the feminist movements of the 20th century.
• She also wrote a four-volume women's history, From Eve to Dawn.
• She was a professor of English literature.
• Her novel, The Women's Room, has been translated into 20 languages and remains one of the most influential feminist novels.

Background ​

French was born in 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to a poor family. Raised during the Great Depression, she began writing as a child as a form of escape. She attended Hofstra University on Long Island, where she graduated in 1951 with a degree in Philosophy and English Literature. After receiving her master's degree from Harvard, she taught English at a community college in Massachusetts. Her experiences as a woman in academia kindled her radical feminism, culminating in her most famous novel, "The Women's Room," which was published in 1977 and quickly became a classic of feminist literature. She continued to write novels and essay collections that tackled gender inequality and violence against women. French died in 2009 at the age of 79.

Writing Style and Impact ​

French's writing style is noted for its depth and complexity, often delving into profound themes of gender roles, social structures, and feminist ideals. Through her work, she significantly contributed to the feminist literature as she explored women's place in society. Her novels, which came at a time when the feminist movement was gaining momentum, were poignant and insightful, creating a significant impact on society and feminism.

Notable Works ​

• The Women's Room (1977)
• The Bleeding Heart (1980)
• Her Mother's Daughter (1987)
• Our Father (1994)