Degerfors Bibliotek

In a series of biographical sketches, Stowe weaves a story of womanhood, describing Christianity’s influence on the female image.

This religious portrayal begins with the Biblical story of Abraham’s wife Sarah, working its way up to the heroines of the New Testament, most notably King Herod’s Daughter, Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Jesus.

The book portrays the relentless spirit of females in everything they have had to endure and conquer throughout history. While at the same time creating a connection between these historical figures and modern day women in the exploration of themes such as family and identity.

Preceding any modern feminist revolutions, Stowe’s collection is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about the history and expectations of half the population: women.

The daughter of a Calvinist preacher, Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an American author and ardent abolitionist, whose most famous novel "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" became the fiercest attack on slavery at the time. Stowe’s influence reached much farther than literature, and marked politics and society, opening the world’s eyes to the horrors of slavery. Stowe also wrote travel memoirs, numerous articles, letters, and short stories.