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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This could have been an interesting book if it was more focused. Instead it was a jumble of different stories thrown together which were often interrupted by Lewis going off on a rant about how people are mean to her on Twitter for being a bit TERFy. The constant title name-drops got irritating fast as well.
If you're interested in any of the women who are spoken about in this book you wouid be better off looking up other books/articles about them that go into more depth.
If you're interested in any of the women who are spoken about in this book you wouid be better off looking up other books/articles about them that go into more depth.
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
exceptional! Could do with a better title though. Great perspectives from the young author
fast-paced
when a man marries his housekeeper, the GDP falls.
fascinating, infinitely readable, and chockful of shocking laws, some that have only been recently overturned! Lewis argues that we need to divorce admiration from love because all these feminist pioneers had plenty of warts to go around. being 'problematic' is no reason to be written out of history. air-brushing flaws through collective forgetfulness is not doing these women any favors (as role models). instead, she asks us to embrace these difficult women who were instrumental in the women's right movement. in the age of twitter and baying mobs, it's a welcome message
fascinating, infinitely readable, and chockful of shocking laws, some that have only been recently overturned! Lewis argues that we need to divorce admiration from love because all these feminist pioneers had plenty of warts to go around. being 'problematic' is no reason to be written out of history. air-brushing flaws through collective forgetfulness is not doing these women any favors (as role models). instead, she asks us to embrace these difficult women who were instrumental in the women's right movement. in the age of twitter and baying mobs, it's a welcome message
This book does a brilliant job of looking at feminism with a critical eye, by inviting us to learn about the complex people who championed it and what their efforts achieved. It does not airbrush away the flaws or ignore the uncomfortable sides of the movement, or those who drove it forward.
The way the book is structured - looking at 11 different spheres of life influenced by the struggle of women to improve them (divorce, education, love, sex, safety, etc) - is beautifully done, and I learned a great deal about issues, laws, and individuals throughout history of which I'd previously been ignorant, or had only heard a simplified version.
Lewis writes in an accomplished yet human way, laughing at the ridiculous, but underlining the serious. Her work seems to be well-researched and she leaves room for the contrasting voices of different people, acknowledging controversial issues and trying to examine them through the subjective views and experiences of others before adding her own opinions.
Whatever you think of feminism, feminists, or the state of gender equality, anyone can enjoy and learn from this book. It's important to remember that quiet and compliant people do not achieve positive change, and that as difficult as society likes to paint them, the women in this book made ripples and waves from which many of us - regardless of gender - benefit today.
The way the book is structured - looking at 11 different spheres of life influenced by the struggle of women to improve them (divorce, education, love, sex, safety, etc) - is beautifully done, and I learned a great deal about issues, laws, and individuals throughout history of which I'd previously been ignorant, or had only heard a simplified version.
Lewis writes in an accomplished yet human way, laughing at the ridiculous, but underlining the serious. Her work seems to be well-researched and she leaves room for the contrasting voices of different people, acknowledging controversial issues and trying to examine them through the subjective views and experiences of others before adding her own opinions.
Whatever you think of feminism, feminists, or the state of gender equality, anyone can enjoy and learn from this book. It's important to remember that quiet and compliant people do not achieve positive change, and that as difficult as society likes to paint them, the women in this book made ripples and waves from which many of us - regardless of gender - benefit today.
Difficult Women is a well researched
introduction to feminism and some of the interesting women who have been involved in the fight for equality.
The book is divided into 11 chapters, each one exploring an issue in feminism and focusing on a handful of the key women involved. Some of the women are generally well known whilst others were certainly new to me. Lewis does well to walk the line between celebrating them while also mentioning their flaws and critically discussing their approaches. It was particularly insightful to hear from the women themselves, on several occasions Lewis has made contact with those surviving and reports on their own reflections. As most people are, these women are complex and this book reflects that.
There are limitations to this book but feminism is so wide reaching and complex that it’s difficult to condense it into one book. ‘Difficult Women’ is very UK-centric and while they’re mentioned, race and gender identity don’t play a large part. Lewis at least recognises these shortfalls at the start of the book. These issues are also mentioned throughout the book and not just forgotten and Lewis may not be best placed to discuss them anyway. Overall, the book is structured well with the 11 chosen issues covering plenty of ground. It also remains very accessible and engaging throughout which is essential for ensuring it reaches as many people as possible.
I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author herself. This worked well as the Lewis includes plenty of her own thoughts and experiences.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
introduction to feminism and some of the interesting women who have been involved in the fight for equality.
The book is divided into 11 chapters, each one exploring an issue in feminism and focusing on a handful of the key women involved. Some of the women are generally well known whilst others were certainly new to me. Lewis does well to walk the line between celebrating them while also mentioning their flaws and critically discussing their approaches. It was particularly insightful to hear from the women themselves, on several occasions Lewis has made contact with those surviving and reports on their own reflections. As most people are, these women are complex and this book reflects that.
There are limitations to this book but feminism is so wide reaching and complex that it’s difficult to condense it into one book. ‘Difficult Women’ is very UK-centric and while they’re mentioned, race and gender identity don’t play a large part. Lewis at least recognises these shortfalls at the start of the book. These issues are also mentioned throughout the book and not just forgotten and Lewis may not be best placed to discuss them anyway. Overall, the book is structured well with the 11 chosen issues covering plenty of ground. It also remains very accessible and engaging throughout which is essential for ensuring it reaches as many people as possible.
I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author herself. This worked well as the Lewis includes plenty of her own thoughts and experiences.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.