The Company of Women (Gordon novel)

The Company of Women is a novel by Mary Gordon, published in 1980. It explores themes of female relationships, religious belief, and intellectual life in a post-World War II Irish Catholic community in New York. The story centers on Felicitas Taylor, a brilliant and charismatic theologian, and the group of women who orbit her, forming a chosen family. These women, each wrestling with their own desires and disillusionments, include Felicitas's aging and devout mother; Charlotte, a young woman grappling with her sexuality; and several other complex characters who represent different facets of womanhood and faith. The novel delves into the tensions between intellectualism and spirituality, the constraints placed upon women by societal expectations and religious doctrine, and the search for meaning and connection in a changing world. It is noted for its nuanced characterizations and its exploration of the complexities of female friendship.