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gabrielle_erin's review
DNF: I think Garner has explored some really important topics in her career, especially those specific to Australian culture and politics, but I really struggle to persevere through her writing style. It's so repetitive and bland I find it hard to engage and unlike Joe Cinque's Consolation, this one didn't seem to have a driving "plot" to keep me reading.
evabails's review
1.0
This was written in 1995 and my god does it show. This book was so hard to read and I have so many thoughts. I understand that it is painted as a self reflection on Helen's feminism but her outdated opinions were hard to digest in 2021.
Suggesting women who reported their sexual assaults to police as having 'priviledged tantrums' was quite upsetting. Also the absolute entitlement Helen has over the two women involved HAVING to give her their side of the story rubbed me the wrong way. Of course they don't want to talk to someone who openly and publicly sided with the man they accused of sexually harassing them.
The only thing that made this book even a little bit readable me was the 25 year anniversary edition foreword by Leigh Sales. I still love Helen but this take was unbelievably angering.
Suggesting women who reported their sexual assaults to police as having 'priviledged tantrums' was quite upsetting. Also the absolute entitlement Helen has over the two women involved HAVING to give her their side of the story rubbed me the wrong way. Of course they don't want to talk to someone who openly and publicly sided with the man they accused of sexually harassing them.
The only thing that made this book even a little bit readable me was the 25 year anniversary edition foreword by Leigh Sales. I still love Helen but this take was unbelievably angering.
latyz's review
4.0
The rating of 4 stars is due to a love for Garner’s writing style, to acknowledge her strength in research and story telling, and her thoughtful and thought provoking prose.
But I want to make it clear I strongly disagree with her stance on the case. In the 90s when this was published, her views on sexual harassment were already extremely outdated and in 2021 it’s simply unbelievable that a self described feminist could take the side of the harasser. I’d love to know if/how Garner’s mind has been changed in our current climate, 30 years on.
But I want to make it clear I strongly disagree with her stance on the case. In the 90s when this was published, her views on sexual harassment were already extremely outdated and in 2021 it’s simply unbelievable that a self described feminist could take the side of the harasser. I’d love to know if/how Garner’s mind has been changed in our current climate, 30 years on.
scr1bblecat's review
5.0
Every feminist should read this book. Not because I think everyone should agree on Garner's point of view, but rather because it raises interesting questions that don't necessarily reach neat and tidy answers. It promotes open and honest communication along with the inherently fluid nature of feminism and recognises that truth cannot be determined by a single set of eyes.
graceless's review
3.0
This book really challenged me and how I feel about feminism. Back in 2011/2012 I read Caitlin Moran's book 'How To Be A Woman' which revolutionized my thoughts and feelings on feminism. Before then I had shied away from identifying as a feminist as I naively thought it was a dirty word. But then a flip switched in my brain and I have been quite a happy and comfortable feminist... Until reading this...
I love Helen - I really do - but this book has challenged me so much. I feel like it has made me question why I think the way I do about womens' right to not be sexually harassed and what is the better way to handle harassment in general. I can definitely understand why this book attracted so much attention and why it still does these 25 years later.
Ultimately I do not believe that Helen is anti-feminist, victim blaming or man apologizing. I think she has really stopped and went, "WTF, why do we all feel different about how the situation played out?" The lack of answers or the whys hurt my brain but I don't think it's her job. What she has done is make me think more about why I hold the positions and thoughts on what is right or wrong in the charged space of gendered harassment and power dynamics. I will never agree the focus of this book is "feminism gone mad" and I would like to believe that's not what was expected of me. But perhaps it is a sign of the time that the direction we've moved over the last 25 years is much more defaulting to the position the victims in this book. Is that right or wrong? That's for each of us to decide and for books like this to make us think about!
I love Helen - I really do - but this book has challenged me so much. I feel like it has made me question why I think the way I do about womens' right to not be sexually harassed and what is the better way to handle harassment in general. I can definitely understand why this book attracted so much attention and why it still does these 25 years later.
Ultimately I do not believe that Helen is anti-feminist, victim blaming or man apologizing. I think she has really stopped and went, "WTF, why do we all feel different about how the situation played out?" The lack of answers or the whys hurt my brain but I don't think it's her job. What she has done is make me think more about why I hold the positions and thoughts on what is right or wrong in the charged space of gendered harassment and power dynamics. I will never agree the focus of this book is "feminism gone mad" and I would like to believe that's not what was expected of me. But perhaps it is a sign of the time that the direction we've moved over the last 25 years is much more defaulting to the position the victims in this book. Is that right or wrong? That's for each of us to decide and for books like this to make us think about!
jray136's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
An interesting read to see how ideas have shifted over the past 30 years.
lynnenad's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I loved this book no love how Garner writes. She has clear sight and can explain her thoughts and ideas with power. I did not agree with a lot of what she said and the book felt dated as feminism has moved on since then. However the book was thought provoking and resulted in long and energetic discussions with our adult daughter who is also a feminist and is a domestic violence lawyer. Most enjoyable and quick to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment