Exactly what the title says because I am sick of so many (mature) female characters being written in a way that romanticises either their relationship with a partner or their role as a mother.
Why can't there be a female Frodo or Gandalf for example, someone with zero romantic or parenthood interest?
Any suggestions are welcome.
by VermicelliNew2784
10 Comments
Drive your Plough over the Bones of the Dead would fit
Once again I find myself recommending Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel.
It’s been a minute, but would The Power by Naomi Alderman count? I don’t remember a romantic plot line.
[French Exit by Patrick deWitt](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36628516) Yes, she’s a mother of an adult child who is a co-main character in the book, but their relationship takes the backstage to her personal story and decisions which are based on her financial downfall. The best part is this isn’t a sad, brooding book. It’s ridiculously quirky and funny. I describe it as a cross between the TV show Arrested Development and a Wes Anderson movie. Speaking of movies, this was made into one starring Michelle Pfeiffer. I loved the movie too, but would definitely suggest the book first mainly for the storyline of the cat Fat Frank.
Granny Weatherwax in Discworld fits that well. The other witches technically marry and have kids but especially for Nanny Ogg that isn’t really the important part of her identity, other than it giving her a fleet of children and grandchildren to do her bidding.
*Fair play* by Tove Jansson
*The hearing trumpet* by Leonora Carrington
Butter by Asako Yuzuki. The main character does have a boyfriend at the beginning but he isn’t central to her identity or the plot
The Change
T Kingfisher writes awesome more mature FMC in her fantasy books!
Against the Loveless World- Susan Abulhawa, my all time favorite FMC, she is strong, opinionated, resourceful, and doesn’t center a man or motherhood. About a Palestinian women reflecting on her life from solitary confinement. At least read the first couple pages, you’ll get hooked!