The Woman-Haters
By Joseph C. Lincoln. Introduction by Colin Heston
Joseph C. Lincoln, the warm-hearted chronicler of Cape Cod’s idiosyncratic inhabitants and firm believer in the redemptive power of small-town values, presents in The Woman-Haters (1911) one of his most amusing and subtly insightful novels. While the title may suggest farce or even a certain antiquated misogyny, the book in fact delivers a humorous, ironic, and ultimately romantic portrait of two stubborn men who, having sworn off women, are gradually—and inevitably—reclaimed by the very forces they sought to escape.
The Woman-Haters is a story that begins in comic defiance and ends in gentle reconciliation. It stands as a playful yet thoughtful exploration of masculinity, friendship, and the futility of emotional denial. Thematically, it touches on some of Lincoln’s most enduring concerns: the tension between isolation and community, the blundering path to personal growth, and the quiet insistence of love—even when disguised as irritation. The book can be read as a story of emotional maturation. Both protagonists begin the novel trying to simplify their lives by eliminating emotional risk. Their commitment to solitude is not so much philosophical as defensive. Lincoln makes it clear that behind their cranky misanthropy lies a deep human need for connection—not just with women, but with others in general.
This need is reflected in the setting. The lighthouse—a classic symbol of loneliness and endurance—becomes a metaphor for their isolation. It offers protection and routine but also breeds stagnation. As women, neighbors, and even memories begin to invade this space, the protagonists are forced to rethink their identities. Far from being “liberated” by their woman-hating stance, they discover that meaningful life lies in openness, not exclusion. Lincoln uses the lighthouse’s physical isolation to underscore the emotional distance his characters must cross. In the end, the book affirms that maturity does not mean independence from others, but the strength to accept vulnerability.
Lincoln’s tone in The Woman-Haters is light and amiable, but it does not shy away from emotional honesty. He ridicules the characters’ extremes without condemning them. His comic timing is impeccable, particularly in scenes of domestic mishap or social discomfort. Yet beneath the humor is a genuine tenderness for his characters.
This edition has been reformatted, designed, abridged and annotated by renowned novelist and story writer Colin Heston to remove errors and other distracting content that occurred in the original edition, making the book more accessible for the present day reader.
Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. 157p.