The Woman Destroyed

Simone De Beauvoir

Jan 2013 · Sold by Pantheon

About this ebook

One of the most influential thinkers of her generation draws us into the lives of three women, all past their first youth, all facing unexpected crises in these three “immensely intelligent stories about the decay of passion” (The Sunday Herald Times).

Suffused with de Beauvoir’s remarkable insights into women, The Woman Destroyed gives us a legendary writer at her best. Includes "The Age of Discretion," "The Monologue," and "The Woman Destroyed."

"Witty, immensely adroit...These three women are believable individuals presented with a wry mixture of sympathy and exasperation." —The Atlantic

Ratings and reviews

It's a bit difficult to write a review of a book which is basically 3 books in one. The first part was beautiful. The story of a strong woman with a strong mind and a strong desire to live, to feel, to act, who suddenly has to face the fact that you can't deny getting old and pretend that it doesn't matter. This part was ful of pain, and beauty, and thoughts, and strength, and proud, and acceptance. I loved it. It was so unexpected to feel related to an old woman when you're in your 20s. The second part was very different. It was difficult to read due to the style -- you're literally placed inside the head of a woman in hysterics, a woman on the edge and you're trying to collect all these unconnected fragments, shatters appearing in her ill consciousness into a meaningful story. I can't say I liked it but it was an interesting experience. The third part was the one I hated. The theme was close to the first part, there was again this image of a new type of woman who goes to success no matter the price is, but this time the heroine felt so weak and pathetic and incredibly boring. First I thought it's temporary, I just need to read further and something will happen, I was so hoping for some kind of evolution. But no, all these 100+ pages were dedicated to her sufferings and thoughts which didn't seem valuable to me. The text is written nicely, but it's just very dull and meaningless.

About the author

SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR was born in Paris in 1908. In 1929 she became the youngest person ever to obtain the agrégation in philosophy at the Sorbonne, placing second on the exam to Jean-Paul Sartre. She taught at lycées in Marseille and Rousen from 1931 to 1937, and in Paris from 1938 to 1943. After World War II, she emerged as one of the leaders of the existentialist movement, working with Sartre on Les Temps Modernes. The author of many acclaimed works, de Beauvoir was one of the most influential thinkers of her generation. She died in 1986.