Written by Simone de Beauvoir and published in 1967, The Woman Destroyed  follows the stories of three women past the “prime of their life” and delves into the psychology behind the intersection of aging and womanhood. Her protagonists repeatedly confront the consequences of defining themselves based on relationships, careers, or social roles, revealing how easily women in particular can lose themselves by trying to fit into the ideals of others.

Synopsis:

“The Age of Discretion”: In this opening short story, the reader follows a woman who has spent her life as a writer and intellectual. She is proud of her independence and accomplishments, so she struggles when her newest book is not well-received and when her son Phillipe makes career and relationship choices that she disagrees with. These conflicts force her to reevaluate her place in the world and the lens through which she views herself.

“The Monologue”: Here, our protagonist, named Murielle, spends New Year’s Eve alone and speaks in a long fragmented inner monologue. Murielle sees herself as someone who has been repeatedly betrayed. As the monologue progresses, Murielle reveals her troubled relationship with men and her own daughter. The story becomes almost claustrophobic because of how little space the reader is given away from not just the narrator’s thoughts but her very consciousness.

“The Woman Destroyed”: The titular story of this book follows a middle-aged woman named Monique who has devoted much of her life to the wellbeing of her husband and her daughters. She believes she has had a successful family life until she finds out about her husband’s affair which leaves her emotions fluctuating between anger, jealousy, denial, and attempts to rationalize her husband’s behavior.

Review:

Each of these stories relays a slightly different aspect of the female aging experience, but what unites them are the themes of feeling inadequate or longing for the past. What makes this piece so intensely effective is how easy it feels to sympathize with the characters. It can feel frustrating to watch these women spiral, but also familiar. Simone de Beauvoir doesn’t present us with unattainably perfect examples of femininity, but just the opposite. She shows women who have been shaped by the expectations placed on females and the difficulties that arise when women attempt to find themselves outside of those expectations. In this way, Beauvoir argues that true freedom comes not from the ability to make decisions, but to define yourself in a way that feels authentic even if it goes against society’s expectations. 

Although the three stories do not connect, they each evoke similar emotions in the reader, feeling dull and disheartened by the end. The second of the three stories is written in a stream of consciousness style which can feel disorienting due to its lack of periods. Over time though, you get used to the breathless feeling of this writing and it invites you into a woman whose mind feels somewhat scrambled. The first and second stories follow a more traditional plot and writing structure that can feel more accessible. The themes are just as complex

I absolutely loved the relatability of the characters. It made the book even more engaging and allowed me to reflect on the advancements that have taken place since the book was written. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to build compassion by placing themselves in another person’s shoes. The highly realistic depiction of raw emotion is what makes this book truly unique.

 📚📚📚📚📖 – 4 ½ stars!

Love, Ellie

GFB Ambassador