Classic Books Written By Women That Were Way Ahead of Time

Timeless classics by visionary women who challenged norms and shaped literature far before their era. 

1

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) 

A teenage girl invented sci-fi, explored human ambition, and predicted ethical debates about science—two centuries ago! 

2

Kate Chopin’s The Awakening (1899) 

A bold take on female independence, marriage, and sexuality that shocked 19th-century readers—and still resonates. 

3

Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own (1929) 

Woolf argued women need space—literally and figuratively—to create art. A feminist anthem before its time. 

4

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) 

A dystopian warning about gender and power that feels disturbingly prophetic decades after publication. 

5

Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea (1966) 

Rhys gave a voice to Jane Eyre’s “madwoman,” critiquing colonialism and mental health stigma. 

6

Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar (1963) 

Plath shattered silence around mental illness with raw honesty that still echoes for readers today. 

7

Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred (1979) 

A time-travel novel tackling slavery and race, blending sci-fi and social justice ahead of its era. 

8

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (1868) 

A time-travel novel tackling slavery and race, blending sci-fi and social justice ahead of its era.