Reading is a great way to inspire yourself and transport yourself to a different place or time. Some of the greatest writers come from a variety of backgrounds and hold a variety of different styles and techniques. Throughout history, female authors have been creating some of the best works of literature, and it’s important to recognize their work and make sure they get the appreciation they deserve. These are some of the most acclaimed female authors you should read before you die.
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is an African-American novelist who wrote novels with the message of empowering the Black community. Some of her best works include Beloved, Song of Solomon, and The Bluest Eye. These works explore themes of racism and creative solutions to discrimination. Toni Morrison was the first Black author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Alice Walker
Alice Walker is an African-American novelist, poet, and activist whose work centers around identity and feminism. Her most popular work, The Color Purple, has been made into a movie, play and musical. This novel follows the story of two African-American sisters dealing with themes of poverty, racism, abuse, and the struggle to find their own voices. Alice Walker has also won the Pulitzer Prize.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was an African-American poet, singer, and civil right activist. She is best known for her autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, which chronicles Angelou’s life growing up in Stamps, Arkansas. Maya Angelou has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood is a renowned Canadian author best known for her dystopian novels. The Handmaid’s Tale and Oryx and Crake are among her most acclaimed works. Additionally, she has been rendering many of her works into graphic novels and comic books. Atwood has won many awards, including the Man Booker Prize.
Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf was a British novelist and essayist. Her works focus on the roles of women in different societies in the early 20th century. Woolf is best known for her novel Mrs. Dalloway, and she also wrote many essays on the themes of feminism and modernist aesthetics. Woolf is considered one of the most innovative writers and was a major figure in the modernist movement.
Harper Lee
Harper Lee is an American author who wrote the critically acclaimed novel To Kill a Mockingbird. This novel deals with the issue of racial injustice in the Deep South during the 1930s. It follows the story of young Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, as they fight for justice in the face of extreme prejudice. Harper Lee was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott is best known for writing Little Women, a novel about four sisters who grow up together and confront the difficulties of life in 19th century New England. The novel has since been adapted for screen, stage, and radio numerous times. Alcott was one of the first successful female authors and paved the way for many female authors who came after her.
J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling is a British author best known for her Harry Potter series that follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphaned wizard, and his two friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they battle dark forces. Rowling has sold more than 500 million books worldwide, making her one of the best-selling authors in history.
Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley is best known for writing the gothic horror novel Frankenstein. She wrote the novel at the age of 18 and it is still considered one of the most important works in the genre. The novel has inspired numerous adaptations, especially in the horror genre. Mary Shelley was one of the first female horror authors and broke many barriers in the field.
Carson McCullers
Carson McCullers is an American novelist who wrote novels about the struggles of everyday people. Most of her works explore themes about disability, poverty, and alienation. Her works, such as The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter and The Member of the Wedding are still considered important works in literature.
Female authors have made immeasurable contributions to the world of literature, and it’s important to ensure their work is remembered and appreciated. These are some of the most acclaimed female authors you should read before you die. From Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, to J.K. Rowling and Carson McCullers, there are so many amazing works written by female authors to enjoy and be inspired by.
