Story of a Modern Woman (Version 2)

Published in 1894, The Story of a Modern Woman is a powerful work of feminist social realism that left an indelible mark on the New Woman movement of the 1890s. Its author, Ella Hepworth Dixon, earned the nickname The New Woman due to the attention this landmark novel garnered. The narrative follows Mary Erle, a well-educated daughter of a public intellectual, as she navigates the world of professional writing after his passing, leveraging his legacy in a society that has long held patriarchal values. In an era where many unmarried women faced bleak prospects of becoming wives or mothers, this novel explores the complexities of their lives and the diverse paths to fulfillment beyond traditional roles. Initially published in serial form, the book saw two editions in the UK and the USA, each with its own unique material layout. This LibriVox recording is based on the American edition. - Summary by Bruce Pirie