I am reading The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of the Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade by Ann Fessler right now, and I am enthralled. I have like that it itsn't a winded rant by an angry feminist. Those are great, too, but I have to be in the right frame of mind. Anyone know of any good Feminist literature that isn't overtly angry? Or, any novels set in the decades before Rv.W about a woman who was in that terrible situation?

I don't know of any books but the subject certainly sounds interesting.  Thanks for bringing it up. 

Has anyone seen the movie The Magdalene Sisters?  It's about Irish girls who had babies out of wedlock or were considered to be "sluts" and sent to a Magdalene House, which is basically a sort of prison laundry service.  It was run by nuns and the girls led a horrendous life.  The Magdalene Houses actually existed and the last one was closed in 1990s. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318411/

 http://einsiders.com/reviews/archives/magdalenesisters.php

I haven't seen the movie, but I read a magazine article about that topic.  I think it was the Chicago Tribune Magazine some time in the last 5 years or so.  I remember being amazed that they were closed so recently. 

Cindy

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Currently reading:  Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

It's not a novel, but I've heard Full Frontal Feminism is excellent.

"Feminism isn't dead. It just isn't very cool anymore. Enter Full Frontal Feminism, a book that embodies the forward-looking messages that author Jessica Valenti propagates on her popular website, Feministing.com.

Covering a range of topics, including pop culture, health, reproductive rights, violence, education, relationships, and more, Valenti provides young women a primer on why feminism matters.

Valenti knows better than anyone that young women need a smart-ass book that deals with real-life issues in a style they can relate to. No rehashing the same old issues. No belaboring where today's young women have gone wrong. Feminism should be something young women feel comfortable with, something they can own. Full Frontal Feminism is sending out the message to readers — yeah, you're feminists, and that's actually pretty frigging cool."