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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
While the subject matter was fascinating, the writing was uneven and could have profited from a good editor. While I appreciate the breadth and depth of her research, I didn't need to see evidence of every fact she dredged up in her research. It was almost as if she couldn't decide who her audience was and therefore tried to throw in everything but the kitchen sink.
The Secret History of Wonder Woman is a bit of a misnomer. Add to that the cover, and to the unsuspecting reader, it's vastly misleading. So just know what you will be reading should you decide to pick this up. This book tells the story of William Marston, more famously known as the inventor of the systolic blood pressure test, more commonly used today as the lie detector test.
Marston was an interesting character, and it was his work as a psychologist and his discoveries made through the lie detector test, and the relationship he had with the women in his life, that helped in his creation of the famed character Wonder Woman. It's a long process that the book goes through before even getting to the facts of Wonder Woman. She is in fact a side character in the narrative that Lepore presents, so don't go in expecting some interesting facts about the comic side of Wonder Woman's creation.
It's an interesting book nonetheless, one that sheds light on many facets of feminist history. Definitely worth the read for those interested in feminist cultural studies, and less for the comic book nerd.
Marston was an interesting character, and it was his work as a psychologist and his discoveries made through the lie detector test, and the relationship he had with the women in his life, that helped in his creation of the famed character Wonder Woman. It's a long process that the book goes through before even getting to the facts of Wonder Woman. She is in fact a side character in the narrative that Lepore presents, so don't go in expecting some interesting facts about the comic side of Wonder Woman's creation.
It's an interesting book nonetheless, one that sheds light on many facets of feminist history. Definitely worth the read for those interested in feminist cultural studies, and less for the comic book nerd.
Yes, the first few chapters (essentially, a history of the 1st Wave feminist movement) dragged a bit, but I appreciated the connection Lepore had made between Margaret Sanger/suffrage/reproductive rights activism and Wonder Woman's creation for its novelty (though I think it is indeed tenuous, at best, to say that Wonder Woman was *directly* influenced by these political movements). But "The Secret History of Wonder Woman"'s real value is in its examination of the changes Wonder Woman's feminism underwent through the interference of 'family' groups and the oversight of different authors/artists. That was fascinating . . .
The creator of Wonder Woman had a very interesting life and a great story. This book had a lot of potential to be really good but the writing quality wansn't there and the delivery wasn't great. The story is there but Lepore's writing wasn't my favorite. There were words throughout the book that didn't make sense to me, and it took me a long time to finish because the story was told so poorly. I don't know how it could have been presented but I know that if the writing was better I would have enjoyed the book more. Nevertheless, it was an interesting story to read, Wonder Woman has a complicated history.
This book should be called pre-WWII feminism, and how it effected one egotistical male "feminist" who created wonder woman, and the two woman he was partners with. I totally found it interesting, but found WW's creator insufferable; and would have enjoyed it more if I just knew I was going to be reading a 1920's-1940's feminist history in the US when I started this book.
Wild backstory.
I think I've figured out my relationship with Jill Lepore books. The side of me that's looking for rich detail and depth is pretty tiny compared to the side of me that just wants a great story arc. So, when her books are the story of some ~thing~ (Wonder Woman, the US, Simulmatics Corporation), I'm looking for a newly discovered and engrossing story. I don't need to know that the original author's cousin's ex-husbands happened to share names with an obscure Wonder Woman villain. So, I think she's just too thorough of a researcher for me :D
I think I've figured out my relationship with Jill Lepore books. The side of me that's looking for rich detail and depth is pretty tiny compared to the side of me that just wants a great story arc. So, when her books are the story of some ~thing~ (Wonder Woman, the US, Simulmatics Corporation), I'm looking for a newly discovered and engrossing story. I don't need to know that the original author's cousin's ex-husbands happened to share names with an obscure Wonder Woman villain. So, I think she's just too thorough of a researcher for me :D
It was really interesting learning about Wonder Woman's connection to feminism and the guy who invented the lie detector test... but it was hardly a page turner and I had to force myself through it.
informative
medium-paced
I listened to the audio version of this book via the Libby app.
There was a lot of information in this non-fiction book that I was unaware of as far as the time period during which Wonder Woman was created. I had never considered the cultural implications or the personal politics of the creator. Not only was this a review of the history of Wonder Woman, but it included much information about the feminist movement. I didn't love the content, but I did experience new information.
There was a lot of information in this non-fiction book that I was unaware of as far as the time period during which Wonder Woman was created. I had never considered the cultural implications or the personal politics of the creator. Not only was this a review of the history of Wonder Woman, but it included much information about the feminist movement. I didn't love the content, but I did experience new information.
I heard Jill Lepore interviewed on several podcasts back when this book came out, most notably Fresh Air. They replayed the episode when the paperback came out, actually, so I heard it twice. I thought I knew this story and the book would be overkill. Not so much! The interview left my jaw hanging open and the book, if possible, took that even further.