The Female Relative Phenomenon
Is it just me, or does it seem like a new book comes out every other day with a title that fits the following format:
"The X's Wife/Daughter/Other Female Relative," where X is (usually) some kind of occupation.
"The X's Wife/Daughter/Other Female Relative," where X is (usually) some kind of occupation.
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Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large)
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Dec 01, 2009 02:42AM

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The Phlebotomists's Daughter
The UPS Man's Daughter
The Optician's Daughter
The Treasury Secretary's Daughter
The Epidemiologist's Daughter
The Sanitation Worker's Daughter
The Vice President's Daughter
The Migrant Worker's Daughter
The Middle Manager's Daughter
I can't wait to not read them.

The Phlebotomists's Daughter
The UPS Man's Daughter
The Optician's Daughter
The Treasury Secretary's Daughter
The Epidemiologist's Daughter
The Sanitation Worker's Daug..."
Snort! *wine/monitor* - Shall we have a buddy non-read?
xx

Sure, I'm not-starting them right now.

Yeah, that one probably takes the cake!


She was only a Fiddle Maker's Daughter - but she sure knew how to fret.
She was only a Palmist's Daughter - but she sure read between the lines.
She was only a Linen-Maker's Daughter - But she was good between the sheets.
She was only a Biker's Daughter - But she knew how to twist my throttle.
She was only a Plumber's Daughter - But she knew how to pull people's chains.
She was only the Strongman's Daughter - But she knew when to break it off.

Now there is one! See http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/10...
And in creating that list, I noticed that there are also plenty of titles (predominantly romance novels, many of them written by women) following the corresponding pattern of the "male gerund phenomenon" ... ("Loving Jack," "Kissing Jack," "Leaving Jack," "Killing Jack," etc. -- well, alright, the last one would probably be a mystery ... or a true crime tale, who knows. ;) )

ETA: There's a list for The Male Gerund Phenomenon now as well: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/10...

Also, this whole thread is hilarious!

I've added a few books from my own reading. I wish there was a way to list these books by publication date because it would be interesting to see how far back the phenomenon goes and when the explosion occurred. I have the feeling that it's relatively recent.



I'm loving this comment thread!


In addition to being unfeminist, it strikes me that these titles are really, well, boring. "The Optimist's Daughter"? "The Shoemaker's Wife"? Who wants to run out and read something like that? I'll grant there is some interest generated by titles like "The Time Traveler's Wife," but many of them are so mundane as to spark no interest even in the person referenced, let alone their female relatives.

I agree. I also tend to think titles like "American Wife", "Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife", and "Kissing the Gunner's Daughter" don't fit the theme guidelines, although they all technically refer to female relatives in their titles.


Right. But the description for the list says "a title that fits the following format: 'The X's Wife/Daughter/Other Female Relative,' where X is (usually) some kind of occupation."
"American Wife," "Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife," and "Kissing the Gunner's Daughter" don't fit that format. Ones that would fit the format would be "The American's Wife," "Mr. Darcy's Wife" or "The Darcy's Wife", and "The Gunner's Daughter."
Anyone can add books to this list.