August Is a Wicked Month

A young divorced woman in London decides to take a solo vacation to France, leaving behind her ex-husband and son. The story follows her journey during the month of August as she explores her newfound independence and searches for connection. In France, she encounters various characters and experiences that force her to confront her desires, loneliness, and sense of identity. The narrative tracks her internal struggles alongside her external adventures in an unfamiliar place. O'Brien's novel explores themes of female sexuality, societal expectations, and the complex nature of freedom versus responsibility. The book's frank treatment of sexuality and marriage caused controversy upon its 1965 release, leading to its ban in several countries including Ireland.

Readers view this as one of O'Brien's more experimental and controversial works. Many find the stream-of-consciousness style and exploration of female sexuality ahead of its time for 1965. Positive reviews highlight O'Brien's lyrical prose and raw emotional honesty in depicting a woman's inner struggles. Multiple readers note how the protagonist's feelings of isolation resonate. "She captures loneliness in a way few authors can," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Common criticisms focus on the meandering plot and lack of concrete resolution. Several readers describe the main character as unlikeable and her actions as frustrating. "Too much navel-gazing, not enough story," wrote an Amazon reviewer. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (40+ ratings) The book tends to polarize readers - those who appreciate literary experimentation and character studies rate it highly, while those seeking a more traditional narrative structure find it unsatisfying.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath A woman's descent into depression unfolds against the backdrop of 1950s social constraints and expectations for female behavior.

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong A married woman travels to Vienna for a conference and confronts questions about independence, desire, and the limits of sexual freedom.

The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien Two young Irish women navigate their way from rural Ireland to Dublin, breaking free from traditional expectations and discovering their own paths.

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy An American woman moves to Paris in the 1950s and experiences a series of misadventures while seeking love and self-discovery.

The Group by Mary McCarthy Eight Vassar graduates in 1930s New York face the realities of marriage, career, and sexuality in a rapidly changing social landscape.

✦ The novel was published in 1965, during a pivotal time in Ireland's literary censorship, and remained banned there until 1967 - part of over 1,200 books prohibited by the Irish Censorship Board. ✦ Edna O'Brien wrote this book while living in self-imposed exile in London, having left Ireland due to the hostile reception of her earlier works, particularly "The Country Girls" trilogy. ✦ The French Riviera setting was inspired by O'Brien's own travels and experiences as a divorced woman in the 1960s, when solo female travelers were still relatively uncommon. ✦ The book's publication coincided with the introduction of the birth control pill in the UK (1961) and the growing women's liberation movement, reflecting the era's sexual revolution. ✦ The novel's protagonist shares several biographical details with O'Brien herself - both were divorced mothers who left Ireland for London and faced social scrutiny for their lifestyle choices.