Wayward Girls and Wicked Women

This extraordinary anthology celebrates the unconventional and defiant women who refuse to conform to societal expectations. Featuring stories from renowned authors such as Grace Paley, Bessie Head, and Angela Carter, these tales showcase the virtues of discontent, sexual disruptiveness, and defiance against the status quo.

Spanning different times and places, these subversive narratives bring to light the adventures and revolutions of women who refuse to be silenced. From Leonora Carrington’s debutante who trades places with a hyena to Christina Stead’s seedy seducer undone by a conventional bride, each story challenges traditional notions of femininity and celebrates the strength and resilience of women who dare to defy societal norms.

Whether celebrating toughness and resilience or reveling in low cunning, these stories serve as a powerful reminder that being “nice” is not the only option for women. Through their tales of bad girls, wicked women, and unsatisfactory wives, this collection aims to inspire women everywhere to embrace their inner adventuress and revolutionary spirit, regardless of the consequences.