Benigna Machiavelli by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of power dynamics and societal expectations. The protagonist, Benigna, is a strong and independent woman who navigates a world that seeks to control and diminish her. Gilman's writing is sharp and incisive, delving into the complexities of gender roles and the ways in which women are often forced to conform to societal norms.

The novel is both a feminist manifesto and a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of oppressive systems and the importance of asserting one's own agency. Benigna's journey is compelling and relatable, as she grapples with questions of autonomy and self-determination.

Overall, Benigna Machiavelli is a powerful and thought-provoking read that challenges readers to question the status quo and consider the ways in which power is wielded and resisted. Gilman's writing is as relevant today as it was when the book was first published, making it a timeless and impactful work.

Book Description:
In between "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Herland , feminist Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote and published this delightful fictional autobiography, Benigna Machiavelli , in her monthly magazine, The Forerunner.

The narrator, young Benigna MacAvelly, decides as a child that she intends to emulate her ancestor Niccolò Machiavelli but dedicate her machinations to doing good rather than evil. She starts her ingenious plotting very early in life , and moves on to larger goals as she gets older. Her most significant challenge is her domineering father. Determined to liberate her downtrodden mother from his verbal abuse, Benigna concocts an elaborate plan to deal with him and restore her mother's self-confidence.