“In place of happy love, lonely pain. In place of motherhood, disease. Misery and shame, child. Medicine and surgery, and never any possibility of any child for me."
First published in her magazine The Forerunner, Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Crux is an emotive tale on the nuances of female independence, social expectation and love in early 20th century America.
Following an all-female group who move west to open a boarding house for men, The Crux focuses on the experience of Vivian ― and her desire for the undesirable. Deeply in love with Morton, a charismatic young man infected with both syphilis and gonorrhea, Vivian’s expected journey through her ‘marriage’ years is abruptly turned upside down.
Torn by her personal intuition, the advice provided by her female companions and the knowledge that Morton will never give her healthy children, Vivian is faced with a permanent choice ― to forfeit love for the benefit of future generations.
Balancing female and male perspectives on illness, personal preservation and nationalism, The Crux tracks Vivian’s path through heart break, emotional development and female camaraderie.
As an allegory for Gilman’s own branch of utopian feminism, The Crux is a story of sacrifice and partnership deliberation within the framework of 20th century disease hysteria, eugenic ideology and developing modernism.
Often omitted from her writing canon, The Crux is an integral aspect to understanding not only Gilman’s own writing ― but the history of feminism as a whole.
Publisher: Leamington Books
ISBN: 9781914090172
Number of pages: 260
Dimensions: 198 x 128 mm
"This novel falls under the body of Gilman's feminist-utopian work, in which she imagines her characters challenging and attempting to live beyond the constraints and societal expectations of marriage. Ambrose Kelly's new introduction enables us to both appreciate and dispute the ideology that underpins The Crux. I was intrigued by the characters, they were complex, flawed - and ahead of their time." - Caitlin, Baratheon Books
"The themes and ideas are specific to the time - but the writing style almost feels like a modern-day take on Gilman's time period." - Jane Dennish
"A must read. Charlotte Perkins Gilman was clearly way ahead of her time - a strident, feminist voice at a time when women were very much still seen and not heard." - Daisy Hollands
"An interesting read that took me right out of my comfort zone - unsettling and fascinating." - Jennifer Forrester
"Slightly satirical and well-observed, with characters you can picture easily... an interesting and fantastic book to discuss." - Paradise is a Library
"An enlightening and extremely interesting introduction by Ambrose Kelly - she provides a fascinating insight into the background of the novel and Gilman's own motivations for writing it." - Samantha, A Dream of Books
"The Crux - an interesting read that touches on so many important topics." - Eff, Turning Pages With Eff
"The characters are so dimensional that you can't help but be swept up in the story. Ambrose Kelly's introduction was invaluable to me." - Alli, ReviewedByAlli
"A story of bravery and determination, but also of heartache and sacrifice." - Mrs T Reads
"An interesting and insightful view into 1900s feminism." - Emma Mortimer
"Gilman had an amazing eye and writes with honesty - she gives you a window into the daily life of a time gone by." - Kaylie Jane
"The Crux was truly original, ultimately feminine and socially motivating for its time." - Diane, Everything Is Words
"The Crux provides such a lovely, introspective look at all the characters - you really feel you are inhabiting Gilman's timeline. Really enjoyed the foreword by Ambrose Kelly." - Kate Shotliff
"A story about womanhood - the highs, lows and everything in-between. The Crux transcends its decade to tell a tale of love, loss and heartbreak." - Clairey Reads
"A story that shows what society and community can do to influence one's decisions - it is a love story, a tragedy and a lesson." - Tasha Pages
"A good introduction can make a huge difference - Ambrose Kelly lays out the context brilliantly, drawing our attention to key themes and explaining how they fit into Gilman's personal feminism." - Lizzie, Elementary My Dear
"A statement of Gilman's own beliefs and observations on society as a whole. There is a charming air about her writing style that reads easily and portrays women as three-dimensional beings with thoughts and feelings. A classic that everyone should add to their reading lists." - Bethany's Bookshelf
"What a refreshing classic - not stuffy or prudish. This is the epitome of a historical movement in feminist activism." - Book-A-Holic
"If you love exploring feminist topics, read The Crux - a story of strong female characters who seek to control their own choices." - Manisha Patel
"This book is powerful in every way." - Nicola, Twilight Reader
"Gilman's writing style is beautiful, rich and vivid." - Lisa, Pages and Pairing
"It is impossible to read this book and feel nothing. This is a tale of feminism, of strength and of women willing to make their own decisions." - Angi, Books n' Banter
"A thought-provoking and important historical work, further elevated by Ambrose Kelly's new contextual introduction. - Krissy's Bookd
"An emotive tale on the nuances of female independence, social expectation and love - bold, confronting and character driven." - Erin, Erin and Books
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