101 Books, Number 1

Favorite Books Throughout My Life

1: The Awakening, 1899, by Kate Chopin (1850–1904)

I learned about this book from Joyce—

Who captured Chopin’s unique voice

There in her dissertation and

In essay, book.* I understand

The things I do about Chopin

Because of Joyce. (And as a man

I needed help—as most men do.

For of some things we have no clue!)

And later I would get to teach

This book**—and tried my best to reach

The youngsters who were in my class—

See: Most of whom were keen to pass!

I loved the book—not hard to say.

Chopin shows there is not one way

To view the life of women. She

Showed shadows of identity.

For Edna*** is just so complex—

A woman who can just perplex

If we do not perceive her heart—

And that, for readers, is the start.

*The Awakening: A Novel of Beginnings, 1993

**At Western Reserve Academy, 2001–11

***Edna Pontellier is our doomed heroine.