A Pair of Silk Stockings and Other Stories

by Kate Chopin

Known for her vivid portrayals of Creole life in Louisiana, Kate Chopin (1851–1904) wrote, during her brief literary career, poignant and perceptive stories about the emotional lives of women. Bypassing many of the conventions of 19th-century realism, she won praise for her realistic portraits of the inhabitants of bayou and urban areas.

This collection of nine stories contains one of her most famous works, "Désirée's Baby" — a haunting and ironic tale of miscegenation. Additional stories include "Madame Célestin's Divorce," "A Gentleman of Bayou Téche" and "At the 'Cadian Ball," from Bayou Folk; "A Respectable Woman," "A Night in Acadie" and Azélie" from A Night in Acadie; "The Dream of an Hour" and the title story. Written with grace, delicate humor and a keen understanding of the human — especially the female — psyche, these stories are a superb introduction to an important American writer whose literary career was cut short by the harsh criticism directed at her novel The Awakening (1899).
--back cover

Désirée's baby --
Madame Célestin's divorce --
At the 'Cadian Ball --
A gentleman of the Bayou Têche --
A night in Acadie --
Azélie --
A respectable woman --
The dream of an hour --
A pair of silk stockings.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction, Literature, Feminism, American, School

107 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 1996

About the author

Kate Chopin was an American author whose fiction grew out of the complex cultures and contradictions of Louisiana life, and she gradually became one of the most distinctive voices in nineteenth century literature. Raised in a household shaped by strong women of French and Irish heritage, she developed an early love for books and storytelling, and that immersion in language later shaped the quiet precision of her prose. After marrying and moving to New Orleans, then later to the small community of Cloutierville, she absorbed the rhythms, customs, and tensions of Creole and Cajun society, finding in its people the material that would feed both her sympathy and her sharp observational eye. When personal loss left her searching for direction, she began writing with the encouragement of a family friend, discovering not only a therapeutic outlet but a genuine vocation. Within a few years, her stories appeared in major magazines such as The Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, and The Century, where readers encountered her local-color sketches, her portrayals of women navigating desire and constraint, and her nuanced depictions of life in the American South. She published two story collections, Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie, introducing characters whose emotional lives were depicted with unusual honesty. Her short fiction often explored subjects others avoided, including interracial relationships, female autonomy, and the quiet but powerful inner conflicts of everyday people. That same unflinching quality shaped The Awakening, the novel that would later become her most celebrated work. At the time of its publication, however, its frank treatment of a married woman’s emotional and sensual awakening unsettled many critics, who judged it harshly, yet Chopin continued to write stories that revealed her commitment to portraying women as fully human, with desires and ambitions that stretched beyond the confines of convention. She admired the psychological clarity of Guy de Maupassant, but she pushed beyond his influence to craft a voice that was unmistakably her own, direct yet lyrical, and deeply attuned to the inner lives of her characters. Though some of her contemporaries viewed her themes as daring or even improper, others recognized her narrative skill, and within a decade of her passing she was already being described as a writer of remarkable talent. Her rediscovery in the twentieth century led readers to appreciate how modern her concerns truly were: the struggle for selfhood, the tension between social expectations and private longing, and the resilience of women seeking lives that felt authentically theirs. Today, her stories and novels are widely read, admired for their clarity, emotional intelligence, and the boldness with which they illuminate the complexities of human experience.

Reviews

[Bill on GR Sabbatical · Rating 4 out of 5]

These nine stories, selected from her two published collections and Vogue magazine pieces, were my introduction to Chopin. I very much enjoyed them and plan to read more of her work, including her novel, The Awakening. My favorites were “Désirée’s Baby”, which explores the racism and sexism of her time in Louisiana, and "The Dream of an Hour", an emotional roller coaster ride, even though of only the briefest length. Recommended.

[Petra X · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kind of prototype to What Not To Wear: self-esteem increases when the poor, badly-dressed person is transformed into yet another secretary-clone. Or in this case 'fitting in with the quality'. Excellent story, if you are a woman you will identify with this. Do men?

[Burcu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buçuklu yıldız verme güncellemesi bekliyorum Goodreads'ten hâlâ. Zira Bir Çift İpek Çorap benim için 3,5 yıldızdır aslında.

Derlemede yer alan her bir öykü kendine özgü bir dokuya sahipti bana kalırsa. Aynı coğrafyanın insanlarına bakarken farklı anlatıcıların seslerine yer veriyordu. Bunu sadelikle yaptığını söylemeden geçmeyeyim. Hem Bir Saatin Öyküsü gibi akıldan kolay kolay çıkmayacak bir hikâyenin de kitapta bulunduğunu söylemekte fayda var. Nitekim daha önce okuduğum bu öykünün bende bıraktığı duyguyu, öykünün girişini okur okumaz hatırladım.

En sevdiğim hikâyeler ise Bir Saatin Öyküsü'nü bir kenara bırakırsam, Bayou Têche'li Bir Beyefendi ve Acadia'da Bir Gece'ydi. Öykülerin ana karakterleri gerek isimleri gerek eylemleriyle zihnimin bir köşesinde yaşıyorlar artık.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Désirée's Baby - 5 Stars
Madame Célestin's Divorce - 4 Stars
At the 'Cadian Ball - 3 Stars
A Gentleman of the Bayou Têche - 5 Stars
A Night in Acadie - 3.5 Stars
Azélie - 3.5 Stars
A Respectable Woman - 4 Stars
The Dream of an Hour - 5 Stars
A Pair of Silk Stockings - 4 Stars

[Korcan Derinsu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yazarla ilk tanışmam. Özellikle hikayelerin geçtiği yerler (Kanada ve Louisana) sevdiğim yerler olduğu için merak uyandıran bir derlemeydi. Merakı giderme açısından güzeldi ama aradığımı da tam bulamadım sanki. Kitabın ilk öyküsü “Désirée'nin Bebeği” hem güçlü anlatımı hem de şok edici sonuyla kitaptaki en iyi öykü bence. Bunun dışında “Bir Saatin Öyküsü” ve derlemeye ismini veren “Bir Çift İpek Çorap” öyküleri de oldukça iyi. Ancak diğer öykülerde aynı yoğunluğu ve etkileyiciliği bulmak zor. Bazıları atmosfer yaratımı açısından başarılı olsa da çoğu sönük kalıyor. Yine de Chopin’in dönemin toplumsal dinamiklerini ve kadın karakterlerin içsel dünyalarını betimleme yeteneği oldukça etkileyici. Yazarın “Uyanış” romanını da okuyacağım.

[öğürsüz.]

"bir saatin öyküsü" okuduğum en iyi öykülerden biriydi.

[Arberesha (wandersinbookland) Sabani · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is simply not my type of book. I know that many people like the book and its story, but this did not go down well with me. It was a blaha book and boring. Have read much better books about women and feminism.

[Onur Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Desiree’nin Bebeği” ve “Bir Saatin Öyküsü” gibi muhteşem öyküler için beş yıldız. Geride kalan 7 sıradan öykü için üç yıldız.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book to read, and that first story, oh wow. I first read Kate Chopin in the early 70’s when I was struggling to understand all the issues with women’s rights and equality. Now, in the light of my struggles to understand issues of racism, especially trying to find a way forward from racialized trauma, and breaking out of white safety to understand what impacts my black sisters and brothers, and extend an honest, understanding, and helpful hand forward, I find this narrative of a previous slice of life extremely timely.

[Tülay Tellioğlu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5
Okuması keyifli kısa kısa öyküler içeren güzel bir kitaptı. Kadın karakterin öne çıktığı öyküler olduğu yazıyordu arka kapakta ama ben pek öyle hissedemedim. O sebeple beklentimi pek karşılamadı ama yine de kendini okuttu 🤌🏽

[Bootsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I don't enjoy much from feminist culture or anything with too much purple language and girly stuff but some things are genuinely good. I didn't like all the stories, out of all of them I only liked two (the one about the guy who liked that insensitive ditz, and the story of the title). I had to give them four stars for those two though because I could relate to them. "A Pair of Silk Stockings" particularly, because sometimes if I come into a bit of money I like to go out and do things like I'm rich, 'cause you only live once... blah blah. Read it.

"The Story of An Hour" was HILARIOUS though. Despite the fact it was flowery and was written by a woman who honestly thought all husbands were evil (okay, so "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Virginia Woolf's husband and doctors who diagnosed women with nervous hearts and prescribed more time with the children aside) it WAS funny. I admit it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a short story that really captures the plight of the over-worked, over-stressed, depressed mother who wanted a bit more out of life than what she's gotten. i read this in my high school humanities class when i was supposed to be studying and it really made me realize that i did not want to have a typical adult life. it rocked my 17 year old brain.

[Megan Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several stories in this selection that are quite thought provoking regarding a woman's place in society at the turn of the 19th century... but a few that I couldn't even read due to the heavy slave/Bayou accent the author insisted on using for the non-white characters.

[Kucing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Respectable Woman: 'there are some battles in life which a human being must fight alone'

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

How she went from this to The Awakening is incomprehensible.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Kate Chopin and each one of these stories was a gem. My three favorites were: “Désirée’s Baby,” “A Pair of Silk Stockings," and "A Night in Acadie."

[Madina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful brief vignettes, definitely must-read for those interested in early feminist works, discussion on class and race, and antebellum atmosphere of Southern States.

[Gonca]

Bir Çift İpek Çorap ve Diğer Öyküler kitabı yorumlarına güvendiğim bir blogda karşıma çıkan bir kitaptı. Uzun zamandır böyle öykü okumadığımı fark edince listeme alıp okuma kararı aldım. Kitap 9 farklı öyküden oluşuyor. Hepsi de neredeyse kadınların etrafında dönen öyküler. Kitaba dönüp baktığımda 9 öyküden sadece 3 tanesini beğendim. Bazılarını anlamlandıramadım. Hatta acaba ben mi anlamıyorum diye hikayelerin üzerinde biraz düşündüm. Gerçekten net açık anlatıma sahip bir kitap değildi. Okurken biraz üzerine düşünüp örtülü anlamı çıkarıp bulmanız gerekiyordu. Şu sıralar zihnim yorgun olduğundan mıdır nedir bazı öykülerin okurken beni gerçekten yorduğunu hissettim. Bunun dışında sevdiğimi söylediğim 3 öykü okurken gerçek anlamda aktı gitti. Yorgunluktan ziyade okurken gerçekten keyif aldığım öykülerdi. Öykülerin isimleri :Desirre'nin Bebeği, Bayou Teche'li Bir Beyefendi ve kitaba ismini veren Bir Çift İpek Çorap. Şöyle genel olarak baktığımda kitabı ne çok sevdim ne de hiç sevmedim diyebilirim. Bitirdiğimde eğer beğendiğim 3 öykü olmasaydı kesinlikle sıkıcı ve benim için yorucu bir kitaptı diyebilirdim ama 3 öykü gerçekten kitabı kurtardı. Bence kitaba ait düşünceleriniz içinizde bulunduğunuz duygu durumuna göre epey farklılık gösterecek türden. Öykü okumayı seven bir okuyucuysanız kitabı sevebileceğinizi düşünüyorum ama öykülerle pek aranız yoksa okuyacağınız kitabın bu olmadığını söyleyebilirim.

[Yonca Güneş Yücel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Çeviri de bir o kadar incelikli. Karakterlerin ruhuna dair etraflıca düşünmeye, çevirmenin notları çok dilli seslenişi nasıl da elverişli! Hoooop on dokuzuncu yüzyıl kırsalına, plantasyonlarına sürüklendiğin; ne görmezden gelinen, ne ayan beyan bilir olduğun halklara, ecdada, uygarlığa, sömürüye dair ne varsa.

Can sıkıntısına, boş zamana, balolara, hasata, düelloya kadar sınıfsal duygulanımlara boylu boyunca uzandığın kısa, kesit etkileyici öyküler.


Pek tabii kadınlar, erkekler klişe-benzer emarelerle “estetize” edilmişlikten uzak yanılgılı, duyarlı, ahmak, çarpık, ironik, absürd.

[Bilgesu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Öykülerin hepsinde farklı kadınların başından geçenleri okuyorduk. Ben böyle kırsal yerlerde yapılan balolara, soyluların giysilerine, kaldıkları yerlere, konuşma tarzlarına falan bayılıyorum o yüzden bu kitaba da bayıldım. Kate Chopin’e zaten Uyanış kitabından sonra hayran olmuştum, o yüzden ondan bir kere daha kitap okumak çok hoşuma gitti.

[Karen Hrdlicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of the 11th grade curriculum at the school I work in. I love Southern writers and Kate Chopin was a new author to me. I enjoyed her short stories and the rich color of the bayous and characters she created.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

adding this because I think I deserve to

stories by KC read:
"A Pair of Silk Stockings" 3
"Desiree's Baby" 5
"The Story of an Hour" 5
"Wiser Than a God" 2,5
"La Belle Zoraide" 3,5
"The Storm" 5
"Lilacs" 5
"Fedora" 5

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb little vignettes. True short stories, each is a very brief glimpse into the lives of their characters - but Chopin manages to capture so much character and atmosphere in each handful of pages that the rest of their lives are easy to imagine.

[Jack Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general, I prefer Chopin's short stories to her longer fiction. Four rather than five stars because she has some good stories not included in this short collection.

[Brendan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories seem to always have an interesting twist to the plot. Kate Chopin has perfected the twist with these stories.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bu kadar dramatik: https://open.spotify.com/track/6d93Pw...

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine collection of stories of a long-vanished way of life.

[Krista Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I would give a pair of silk stockings on its own 5 stars and I did, but the other stories were not for me haha

[buse · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75?

[halocinate · Rating 3 out of 5]

désiréenin bebegi ve bir saatin öyküsü 👌🏻👌🏻