Review - The Dinner Party

The Dinner Party
by Mona Gardner
Date: 1941
Publisher: Saturday Review
Reading level: A
Book type: short story
Pages: 2
Format: e-book
Source: "The Dinner Party"

An argument breaks out over whether women can keep calm in a crisis.

(see it on Goodreads)

This story starts out sounding really dated and sexist, with an argument about whether women can stay calm in a crisis, or if flipping out is something that's hardwired into them. By the end of this very short story, however, it becomes clear that it's a little bit of a feminist piece.

Oh, and if you can't stand the thought of snakes, you might want to skip this one.

Quotable moment:

"A woman's unfailing reaction in any crisis," the colonel says, "is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, yet he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what counts."

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall Rating: 3.71 out of 5 ladybugs