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katie1031's review against another edition
3.0
A generous 3 star which honestly is probably more of a 2.5 rounded up
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
There were a lot of things that I really liked about this book, and a few things that I disliked. One thing that I absolutely adored from the get go (which others seem to dislike) is the format of the book. Certainly, as a book and as an anthology, it must have chapters. But unlike most academic texts, these chapters are not grouped into sections or parts, but rather use a sort of "tagging" system. Multiple chapters focus on multiple things, and if you're interested in one topic or another, you can search for other chapters tagged in a similar fashion, making it a sort of reader-centered, choose-your-own-adventure type of read! As a librarian, I really liked this idea--it really shows how interconnected these essays and topics are, and the format definitely makes it more entertaining and fits alongside the radical theme of this text.
One thing I didn't particularly enjoy were some individual chapters, which to me felt more liberal than radical in terms of the feminist sphere and dialogue. I'll gladly profess myself as anti-BDSM and anti-kink, much to many folks' chagrin. I personally view it as an extension from violence in the home to violence in the bedroom under the enthusiastic consent model (because if you consent to being hurt, it's okay! *eye roll*). So, the essays which discuss BDSM and kink as something universally awesome and sexy felt amiss to me, and I wish they were able to delve deeper into that conversation. That being said, those who are interested in BDSM and kink will probably find those chapters quite good!
Additionally, while I do think it was a great idea of getting men to write a chapter or two--we get to see their perspective on how today's sex culture affected them and how they in turn had to rewire their brains and realize just how disrespectful and misogynistic their perspectives were--I don't necessarily know if this was a great platform for it. For example, such voices would be great in an anthology of men dissecting their socially preconceived notions, not in an anthology of consent and sex positivity aimed towards women. Y'know what I mean? Great ideas! Just not necessarily the place for it.
That all being said, I do think that there was a lot that this book did well. It addressed a wide array of topics for a wide array of readers who may be new to feminist literature or those who may be well-versed in it. And of course, regardless of how one might feel about Jessica Valenti and Jaclyn Friedman, it's important to know those names as we further ourselves in our endeavor to learn more about women and our rights.
I think that, ultimately, this is worth the read. It's an important feminist text today whether you enjoy it or not, and for that alone it should be on your list!
Review cross-listed here!
One thing I didn't particularly enjoy were some individual chapters, which to me felt more liberal than radical in terms of the feminist sphere and dialogue. I'll gladly profess myself as anti-BDSM and anti-kink, much to many folks' chagrin. I personally view it as an extension from violence in the home to violence in the bedroom under the enthusiastic consent model (because if you consent to being hurt, it's okay! *eye roll*). So, the essays which discuss BDSM and kink as something universally awesome and sexy felt amiss to me, and I wish they were able to delve deeper into that conversation. That being said, those who are interested in BDSM and kink will probably find those chapters quite good!
Additionally, while I do think it was a great idea of getting men to write a chapter or two--we get to see their perspective on how today's sex culture affected them and how they in turn had to rewire their brains and realize just how disrespectful and misogynistic their perspectives were--I don't necessarily know if this was a great platform for it. For example, such voices would be great in an anthology of men dissecting their socially preconceived notions, not in an anthology of consent and sex positivity aimed towards women. Y'know what I mean? Great ideas! Just not necessarily the place for it.
That all being said, I do think that there was a lot that this book did well. It addressed a wide array of topics for a wide array of readers who may be new to feminist literature or those who may be well-versed in it. And of course, regardless of how one might feel about Jessica Valenti and Jaclyn Friedman, it's important to know those names as we further ourselves in our endeavor to learn more about women and our rights.
I think that, ultimately, this is worth the read. It's an important feminist text today whether you enjoy it or not, and for that alone it should be on your list!
Review cross-listed here!
lqvekanej's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Queering Black Female Heterosexuality
What It Feels Like When It Finally Comes
When Sexual Autonomy Isn’t Enough
Reclaiming Touch
The Not-Rape Epidemic
Shame is the First Betrayer
These are my favorites of all of the essays.
These are my favorites of all of the essays.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, and Rape
ali_nf's review against another edition
4.0
I like how the essays are tagged with multiple topics, but that meant I ended up reading all positive, let's-reframe-the-world-in-this-happy-way essays first because of the topics I was interested in. Once I finished those, I was left reading in front to back order the more depressing stories.
autumnnleeaves's review against another edition
5.0
I'm glad I bought this book rather than getting it from the library. I definitely felt the need to highlight the passages that really resonated with me. I feel like this is a collection of essays that I will be returning to again.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
5.0
There are some seriously good essays in here. While not all of them make you put the book down and shout "Yes! This is how the world should be! This is how I can change it!", a surprising number do. I didn't agree with every thing the authors had to say, but almost every single essay challenged me.
Highly recommended to pretty much anyone.
Highly recommended to pretty much anyone.
timtamslam13's review against another edition
3.0
tbh mostly lukewarm takes, but a couple interesting essays
winterlelie's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great read, it makes me want to grab my pink hammer and go smash the patriarchy!