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gabelawson's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up quite excitedly but I am now not confident I was its intended reader. It didn't teach me anything I didn't already know but the composition of important topics, statistics and Perry's personal experience made for a well rounded read.
cafardesque's review against another edition
4.0
Quick, refreshing and insightful. Not a remedy to all of our societies problems, and it doesn't claim to be! But definitely a step towards the right direction.
nathanaracena's review against another edition
4.0
Grayson Perry for UK Ambassador for how we address gender based roles please and thank you. This book resonates so much with me, particularly as a male who feels the pangs of toxic masculinity on a near daily basis. From as little as the “man up” statements to the more psychologically scarring bullying both physically and mentally as “alpha” males try to assert a dominance like they’re some form of predator in the Savannah.
Perry covers so much content throughout and whilst much is quite well known and not particularly anything new, his charm and wit have you chuckling away as he puts lightheartedness into a fairly bleak topic. As a cross dressing man, he’s better equipped to many to discuss how frail masculinity is viewed, and he shows throughout a real compassion with both genders in coming to a point where both can live in a better world. Women with more (equal) rights and men with the loss of pressure to be “men” and the empathy to see that in losing some rights/toxic traits, they can benefit as much as will women.
I genuinely think we need books like this in school curriculums. We’re in a new era with new views and opinions and books like this can only help people progress and adapt to the times, rather than being left behind.
Perry covers so much content throughout and whilst much is quite well known and not particularly anything new, his charm and wit have you chuckling away as he puts lightheartedness into a fairly bleak topic. As a cross dressing man, he’s better equipped to many to discuss how frail masculinity is viewed, and he shows throughout a real compassion with both genders in coming to a point where both can live in a better world. Women with more (equal) rights and men with the loss of pressure to be “men” and the empathy to see that in losing some rights/toxic traits, they can benefit as much as will women.
I genuinely think we need books like this in school curriculums. We’re in a new era with new views and opinions and books like this can only help people progress and adapt to the times, rather than being left behind.
snow_phie's review against another edition
2.0
A witty, personal take on masculinity that never truly takes off. Grayson Perry writes compellingly about gender and why he thinks we need more positive masculine role models that can show men it's okay to be vulnerable, kind and caring. Coming at just under 150 pages (about 4h of listening as an audio book, which is what I did), it's a breezy read/listen but not one that's pushed my thinking.
The most interesting passages are when Perry talks about his own childhood and life experiences, notably as a cross dresser, and how it's given him distance on his own gender. The chapter on clothing was the most novel to me. It's also when he combines a gender and class / economic that the book becomes more thought provoking.
As a whole, however, "The Descent of Man" struck me as preaching to the converted. I may not be the audience for it so I could be wrong, but I somehow doubt that the very men most in need of this book are the ones likely to pick it up. If they did, they might find the arguments a bit light.
Despite its length, it also went around in circles a fair bit. And if you're vaguely familiar with feminism, it's unlikely to uncover new grounds (admittedly I have a degree in it, again I may not be the target audience). So while the message is worthwhile, I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed by what I'm taking away from "The Descent of Man". Hopefully the men picking it up won't.
The most interesting passages are when Perry talks about his own childhood and life experiences, notably as a cross dresser, and how it's given him distance on his own gender. The chapter on clothing was the most novel to me. It's also when he combines a gender and class / economic that the book becomes more thought provoking.
As a whole, however, "The Descent of Man" struck me as preaching to the converted. I may not be the audience for it so I could be wrong, but I somehow doubt that the very men most in need of this book are the ones likely to pick it up. If they did, they might find the arguments a bit light.
Despite its length, it also went around in circles a fair bit. And if you're vaguely familiar with feminism, it's unlikely to uncover new grounds (admittedly I have a degree in it, again I may not be the target audience). So while the message is worthwhile, I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed by what I'm taking away from "The Descent of Man". Hopefully the men picking it up won't.
lizzy_balmain's review against another edition
3.0
This was a reasonable exploration of toxic masculinity, manliness, etc. Written eloquently, I was just left feeling that there was a lack of depth in some areas. Maybe he's holding those further explorations and truths for a second book?!