Scan barcode
veecaswell's review against another edition
5.0
Covering really important topics throughout history for women, particularly the last one hundred years, this book covers the waves of feminism we have seen and what each one is done and the fights it’s been in to make sure we have the rights we have today. Lewis really delves into these areas so well and uses excellent moments in history and case studies to highlight women’s stories that make this book so easy to fall into and hard to put down.
Some chapters are harrowing to read, especially ‘Safety’ for me, which focuses on the safety of women and domestic violence women have to endure. I myself found this chapter this most difficult to read, however also one of the most illuminating as I recognised in moments what I have seen for myself. And illuminating is something that keeps going on throughout the book as it shines a light on women I haven't heard the stories of, and now want to know more.
This book does contain difficult women, problematic women, women who may not be considered heroes to some, but that doesn’t stop them being important to the women’s movement and this book is clear about what these women believed in but also the impact they had - women such as Marie Stopes for example. I appreciate the honesty the author has when it comes to the women who are shown in this book, something that in looking for the inspirational often gets hidden.
A great book that covers so many perspectives and allows for intersectionality, in a way that makes it readable and very easy to read. For me this would be a good place to begin if you wanted to know about these areas of women’s history and politics as though Lewis does cover big topics, she does explain everything well and it makes for a greater immersive experience.
Some chapters are harrowing to read, especially ‘Safety’ for me, which focuses on the safety of women and domestic violence women have to endure. I myself found this chapter this most difficult to read, however also one of the most illuminating as I recognised in moments what I have seen for myself. And illuminating is something that keeps going on throughout the book as it shines a light on women I haven't heard the stories of, and now want to know more.
This book does contain difficult women, problematic women, women who may not be considered heroes to some, but that doesn’t stop them being important to the women’s movement and this book is clear about what these women believed in but also the impact they had - women such as Marie Stopes for example. I appreciate the honesty the author has when it comes to the women who are shown in this book, something that in looking for the inspirational often gets hidden.
A great book that covers so many perspectives and allows for intersectionality, in a way that makes it readable and very easy to read. For me this would be a good place to begin if you wanted to know about these areas of women’s history and politics as though Lewis does cover big topics, she does explain everything well and it makes for a greater immersive experience.
captainbella's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
meganstreb's review against another edition
5.0
This took me ages to read, but not because it's not a great read. Because each chapter sits very well on its own, it was just too tempting to put it down and pick it up months later.
Easy to read and a good mix of names and topics I knew and those I hadn't heard of before.
Easy to read and a good mix of names and topics I knew and those I hadn't heard of before.
bradboss's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent read that I’d highly recommend to anyone, even if you don’t particularly enjoy non-fiction books. Lots of important stories of women who have made important contributions to advancing women’s rights. Helen Lewis also does a great job of talking about the various contradictions of feminist movements through history and brings in her own reflections to connect these various chapters to the modern world.
One chapter that I particularly found interesting was around Jayaben Desai and her role in labour rights, a story which I had no awareness of but has really stuck with me.
One chapter that I particularly found interesting was around Jayaben Desai and her role in labour rights, a story which I had no awareness of but has really stuck with me.
mandarinkata's review against another edition
5.0
There is only one argument to make, and it's the
one Kitty O'Kane made when knocking doors for Repeal the Eighth: 'Trust women... How far do you expect a woman to have to suffer so that you can decide on her behalf?' Isn't that revolutionary? Trust women. Even when they've messed up, even when they were drunk, even when they should have taken more care, even when they're sleeping around, even when they are any one of the mil-
lion other flavours of 'difficult'. Trust women.
Поплаках. Ядосах се. Пак плаках.
one Kitty O'Kane made when knocking doors for Repeal the Eighth: 'Trust women... How far do you expect a woman to have to suffer so that you can decide on her behalf?' Isn't that revolutionary? Trust women. Even when they've messed up, even when they were drunk, even when they should have taken more care, even when they're sleeping around, even when they are any one of the mil-
lion other flavours of 'difficult'. Trust women.
Поплаках. Ядосах се. Пак плаках.
vonfletchington's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia