- By Ridam Sharma
- Fri, 29 Aug 2025 01:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Books About Women's Struggles: Women across the globe have gone through years of struggle and oppression. Their lives have been majorly about survival struggles, freedom, respect, and dignity. These inspirational stories about women and their struggle to fit in continue to inspire generations of women ahead. Literature has always been a significant aspect of society, especially for women who learnt life through books written for or by women. Through these books, women have learned to live life on their own terms, to be aware of the world around them, to stand up for themselves, and to be equal to men in society. To read one of these inspiring books, here is a list of 13 books that showcase women's struggles with life and teach you a lesson for a lifetime.
List Of 13 Books That Showcase Women's Struggles With Life
1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
The book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is written by Khaled Hosseini. The book is set in Afghanistan and showcases the lives of Mariam and Laila, two women tied together by destiny. Their existence has witnessed war, arranged marriages, and oppression because of their gender. While reading this book, keep a tissue box handy.
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2. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library is written by Matt Haig. This book will open a world of possibilities for you. The concept of alternate lives is as fascinating as hopeful. The book also talks about women's battle with identity, regret, and purpose. The book sheds light on the pressure society puts on a woman to keep it all together.
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3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Brontë, is probably one of the greatest books written by a woman. The book narrates a story of a woman’s struggle for independence, dignity, and love without sacrificing her self-respect. The book is regarded as timeless feminist literature that questions gender roles.
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4. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is about four sisters and their everyday struggles of balancing ambition, love, and societal expectations. This book is widely loved for its honest portrayal of women chasing personal and collective dreams.
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5. Valmiki’s Women by Anand Neelakantan
If you love the Indian mythological genre, this book is for you. The Valmiki’s Women by Anand Neelakantan is a Ramayana through women’s perspectives. The book highlights the women’s sacrifice, silence, and resilience within patriarchal frameworks of society.
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6. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is narrated in the voice of Draupadi. This book is a retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s perspective. The book beautifully talks about her hopes, issues of fairness, and the complex position of women in ancient times that shaped the future of women in the modern era.
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7. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is set in France during World War II. This historical fiction is a story of two brave sisters and their opposite stances in the war. The book also talks about resistance and traumatic personal loss.
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8. The Vegetarian by Han Kang
The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a Korean novel about a woman who stops eating meat. The unique vision talks about body autonomy, identity, and resistance against societal norms.
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9. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
I Am Malala is Malala's memoir and true inspiration for women. Malala was shot by the Taliban for promoting the education of girls and became a worldwide voice for women to have the right to learn.
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10. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Untamed by Glennon Doyle is a blend of manifesto and memoir. This is a book about reclaiming yourself from societal conditioning. The book very impressively talks about how women can transform their lives just by being true to themselves.
11. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg is a powerful book that talks about the challenges women face in the professional setting. The book has everything, from boardrooms to women who want to lead despite structural bias.
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12. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay calls out the hypocrisies of feminism in the modern era and reassures that flaws and struggles are part of the way toward change.
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13. The Moment Of Lift by Melinda Gates
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. This book dives deep into the struggles women face around the globe, from maternity to unpaid work; this book comprises mostly all the major issues faced by women in modern society.
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Also Read: List Of Countries That Publish Most Books: India Among Top 10
From retelling timeless stories like Valmiki’s Women and Palace of Illusion to actual memoirs like I Am Malala and Untamed, these books give a varied vision of women's struggles. These stories are about fighting through oppression, juggling personal aspirations with societal expectations, and forging themselves in patriarchal worlds. To learn more about womenhood and the lives of strong women, keep reading books about iconic women characters to learn and to be aware of the struggles women go through.
In short, these fifteen books are a firm reminder of women's challenges and the lessons they teach us. They not only call for compassion but also for action, highlighting the fact that each book is not just a story of struggle but also of resilience.