#genzartists

[lauraisabelart]

✍️ Ifigenia is not really called Ifigenia. She’s called Maria Eugenia, but more on that in a little bit.

During my little social media break I read. I read a lot, actually; more than I’d ever read in a single year. One of the books I read was “Ifigenia” (or ‘Iphigenia’ in English), a novel written by Teresa de la Parra, the very first female novelist in Venezuela.

The book caused a bit of an uproar when it was first published in the 1920s because it questioned the role of women in Latin American society or, more specifically, in Venezuelan society. At the time, women were raised to fit the mold of the ideal housewife and were not expected to have a career or an interest outside of raising a family.

While the main character, Maria Eugenia, comes off as a spoiled teenager at first, she slowly begins to change as she grows older. When suddenly you realize her irreverence has died down to give way to the pressures and expectations of everyone around her, your heart breaks for her.

But why “Ifigenia”? Well. the book was named after a character in Greek mythology, but I can’t tell you why or else I’d spoil the ending for you. Needless to say, I loved the novel so much that as soon as I’d finished it, I sat down to draw Maria Eugenia and here she is 💜

What’s the last book you absolutely loved? I need a book reco, so let me know.