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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
ok so it took me forever to read, stopping and starting
probably revolutionary for the time but like not fantastic now
written quite well
sometimes hard to follow though
maybe i missed the subtlety ?
probably revolutionary for the time but like not fantastic now
written quite well
sometimes hard to follow though
maybe i missed the subtlety ?
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Considering how long ago this was published I was surprised to only come across it now. When I read the blurb and reviews online I was eager to read it since it's considered a feminist classic.
For one I liked the setting and found it to be both interesting and relatable still. It attempts to give an honest insight into 60's America and how it felt to grow up as a white middle-class girl and come into womanhood, get married, and become a mother. It does criticize the treatment of young girls in that society and the pressures put on them to conform and be perfectly obedient. It looks at love and duty and highlights how many never saw the importance of real affection and love but that once married it was the duty of those married to stay together for the sake of children, their parents, or saving face within society. We see how our author pushes back against society first by adamantly insisting on going to university, however unsuccessfully, she ends up not staying enrolled as it was deemed more important that her husband would continue education once they had a home to keep, so she was forced to stay home. It clearly shows us the appointed roles that were in place in this era for both men and women and our author largely criticizes the roles enforced upon women of the time.
For one I liked the setting and found it to be both interesting and relatable still. It attempts to give an honest insight into 60's America and how it felt to grow up as a white middle-class girl and come into womanhood, get married, and become a mother. It does criticize the treatment of young girls in that society and the pressures put on them to conform and be perfectly obedient. It looks at love and duty and highlights how many never saw the importance of real affection and love but that once married it was the duty of those married to stay together for the sake of children, their parents, or saving face within society. We see how our author pushes back against society first by adamantly insisting on going to university, however unsuccessfully, she ends up not staying enrolled as it was deemed more important that her husband would continue education once they had a home to keep, so she was forced to stay home. It clearly shows us the appointed roles that were in place in this era for both men and women and our author largely criticizes the roles enforced upon women of the time.
dark
medium-paced
I received this book as part of my subscription to the fabulous book box service 'Books That Matter' and decided to read it straight away.
I had never heard of this book despite it having sold over a million copies. Turns out it was a cult classic during the feminist movement of the 1970s. I can see why, the book's protagonist Sasha sticks two fingers up at the traditional role of a wife and mother. Yet despite her efforts at freedom she still ends up trapped in the double bind of wifehood and motherhood.
What stopped this from being a 4 or 5 star book for me was the disdain I felt for the main character.
The book has a lot to say about how limited the options were for women in the 1950s, the double standards around sexual freedom and parental expectations for women as compared with men. However, much of that is muted by how awful Sasha is to everyone. She was horribly self absorbed and dismissive of her family and friends. So rather than sympathize with her at the end of the book, I rather felt she was getting everything she deserved.
I had never heard of this book despite it having sold over a million copies. Turns out it was a cult classic during the feminist movement of the 1970s. I can see why, the book's protagonist Sasha sticks two fingers up at the traditional role of a wife and mother. Yet despite her efforts at freedom she still ends up trapped in the double bind of wifehood and motherhood.
What stopped this from being a 4 or 5 star book for me was the disdain I felt for the main character.
The book has a lot to say about how limited the options were for women in the 1950s, the double standards around sexual freedom and parental expectations for women as compared with men. However, much of that is muted by how awful Sasha is to everyone. She was horribly self absorbed and dismissive of her family and friends. So rather than sympathize with her at the end of the book, I rather felt she was getting everything she deserved.
I picked up this book after reading about the positive way it treated female orgasm, something quite remarkable for it's time. I found it interesting to read a story which both showed how far we've come in terms of women's options and how little has changed. It was certainly worth reading.
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read through this book with all the enthusiasm of one of Sasha's less exciting amorous encounters, going through the motions and mostly just glad when it was over.
I know the story was supposed to be some kind of feminist statement, and the parts of the book showing how women's options often were limited and emphasis placed on landing a husband in the mid-twentieth century were welcome reminders of how much has changed over the past couple generations. Even so, Sasha's relentless self-absorption along with a wide streak of self-destructiveness made me care less about her troubles as they too often were self-inflicted.
Still, I made it through until the end, demonstrating more focus and commitment than Sasha did for most of the story.
I know the story was supposed to be some kind of feminist statement, and the parts of the book showing how women's options often were limited and emphasis placed on landing a husband in the mid-twentieth century were welcome reminders of how much has changed over the past couple generations. Even so, Sasha's relentless self-absorption along with a wide streak of self-destructiveness made me care less about her troubles as they too often were self-inflicted.
Still, I made it through until the end, demonstrating more focus and commitment than Sasha did for most of the story.
dark
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault