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informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Why only 3 stars?
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir is definitely a staple in each feminist collection. It's a classic which sadly still holds themes and thoughts that are relevant today. However, big parts of it are outdated, had some 'insights' that were very uncomfortable to read through with a modern view and it is a philosophical book that is at times quite boring to read. It took me about three years to get through the whole thing, so I couldn't give it higher than the 3 stars I gave it.
Should you read this book?
I mean, I finished it solely because I was not going to give up on a feminist literature piece of non-fiction that is often considered one of the early and brave works. So, if you like me feel like you totally should, then go for it. But I would not recommend it to people who are looking for a casual read, or something on a terrain they don't feel comfortable with. It's simply a bit too much for anyone to read it like that.
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir is definitely a staple in each feminist collection. It's a classic which sadly still holds themes and thoughts that are relevant today. However, big parts of it are outdated, had some 'insights' that were very uncomfortable to read through with a modern view and it is a philosophical book that is at times quite boring to read. It took me about three years to get through the whole thing, so I couldn't give it higher than the 3 stars I gave it.
Should you read this book?
I mean, I finished it solely because I was not going to give up on a feminist literature piece of non-fiction that is often considered one of the early and brave works. So, if you like me feel like you totally should, then go for it. But I would not recommend it to people who are looking for a casual read, or something on a terrain they don't feel comfortable with. It's simply a bit too much for anyone to read it like that.
Agradezco a esta obra por recordarme que el camino que nos falta a las mujeres por recorrer y llegar a la libertad plena, aún es largo...
Sin embargo, me mostro como la evolución hacia la igualdad de genero si ha sido rápida y puede continuarlo siendo si y solo si todo el género femenino se mantiene unido para lograr el cambio.
Sin embargo, me mostro como la evolución hacia la igualdad de genero si ha sido rápida y puede continuarlo siendo si y solo si todo el género femenino se mantiene unido para lograr el cambio.
This is a book I've been wanting to read for a while, but found it too daunting to even start. Then Uni came along and I HAD to read it. Although at times I did find it a bit dense and complex, it is still a very accessible text.
Early feminist literature/texts can be a bit problematic to read in this day and age and more often than not it's purely in the perspective of a white middle/upper-class heterosexual woman. While I did find some instances of that here, I didn't go into this expecting it to be the most inclusive and intersectional feminist text ever written, which allowed me to view it under a different lense. That being said, it is full of excellent points, critiques (I especially found her critique of Sartre's existentialist stance fascinating considering both their working and personal relationship), and perspectives. This is a classic of feminist literature for a reason and reading this made me fully realise what an incredible author, philosopher, and indeed woman Simone de Beauvoir was.
Early feminist literature/texts can be a bit problematic to read in this day and age and more often than not it's purely in the perspective of a white middle/upper-class heterosexual woman. While I did find some instances of that here, I didn't go into this expecting it to be the most inclusive and intersectional feminist text ever written, which allowed me to view it under a different lense. That being said, it is full of excellent points, critiques (I especially found her critique of Sartre's existentialist stance fascinating considering both their working and personal relationship), and perspectives. This is a classic of feminist literature for a reason and reading this made me fully realise what an incredible author, philosopher, and indeed woman Simone de Beauvoir was.
Beauvoir is very insightful and writes very well: this book certainly feels like a comprehensive analysis and history of the position of the “second sex”, as she puts it. However, I do have a few problems with it. Firstly, it is extremely West-centric, and more specifically France-centric; many of the problems she describes are, I imagine, almost exclusive to France. She describes and analyses these problems very well, but still. Secondly, she falls into the classic feminist pitfall of making the problem of sex and the problem of race out to be too similar: she fails to elucidate that, though the position of French women (especially in the 50s when she was writing) was and is extremely difficult and has some similarities to slavery, it is NOT the same as slavery, which is a very important distinction. Those are the two main problems which I have with this book, but apart from that its explanation of what the othering of women, either in a positive or negative way, has done to their societal position and their psyche merits this work its position as must-read feminist literature.
** Books 86 - 2022 **
This books to accomplish Red Taylors Reading Challenge - Girl at Home and Tsundoku Books Challenge 2022
3,4 of 5 stars!
It is really broaden my knowledge about what is actually feminism is, what is female and how their role in society is. this books is one of the must have read if you wanna more the history of feminism become with. However some parts is kinda disturbing especially when women done the abortion by themselves. it is really breaking my heart when i read those parts in this pieces
Thankyou Google Playstore!
This books to accomplish Red Taylors Reading Challenge - Girl at Home and Tsundoku Books Challenge 2022
3,4 of 5 stars!
It is really broaden my knowledge about what is actually feminism is, what is female and how their role in society is. this books is one of the must have read if you wanna more the history of feminism become with. However some parts is kinda disturbing especially when women done the abortion by themselves. it is really breaking my heart when i read those parts in this pieces
Thankyou Google Playstore!
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
This book has changed my life in so many positive ways that I definitely recommend it for any women struggling to survive to her oppression. It's hard to read, not only because its complexity but also because you can realize throughout the pages the magnitude of the oppression we suffer.
Qué increíble trabajo de investigación y análisis. Me cuesta imaginar la frustración que deben haber sentido las mujeres despiertas como Simone al enfrentarse con su contexto a diario, me gustaría traerla al presente a que vea los avances y nos ayude a seguir avanzando, porque falta mucho.
Si bien muchos conceptos han ido evolucionado, su aporte a la liberación femenina (y de todos los colectivos oprimidos) es invaluable.
Fue una lectura brutal.
Si bien muchos conceptos han ido evolucionado, su aporte a la liberación femenina (y de todos los colectivos oprimidos) es invaluable.
Fue una lectura brutal.
a look at feminism and the role of women over the centuries. written in the 1950's, it is an interesting read. i am not a fan of feminist books, but this one was ok. definitelly not a quick read, but i think it is worth to stick with it till the end.