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kenreid's review against another edition
5.0
Sharp wit is somehow the main tone for a tome filled with such sad tales. An important text because it tells stories that are rarely spoken: Toksvig is a conduit for repressed women throughout the ages who deserved better and for whom death was likely a relief. But - this book doesn't need a white man to endorse it, it speaks for itself, as well as all those passed. Three cheers for Toksvig, may this be another step towards betterment.
alysmw's review against another edition
3.0
Bit of a beefy review I know, but honestly I did find this book very frustrating at times. I think an overlooked woman from history for every day of the year is a fantastic idea and by all means have it be in a fun and informal tone but I think the input from Sandi herself, along with some MAJOR grand sweeping generalisations ruined this book for me. I know that it was called Toksvig's almanac but I want to hear about the lives of the women, not about what Sandi thinks about the lives of the women (which always just seemed to be 'they're fab'). Should have been kept to 3rd person at all times and if she can't write in a personable way without interjecting her own thoughts in 1st person all the time then that's on her.
Lack of footnotes or reading list also bothered me because she must have HAD one so why not put it in...??? Unless it was just 'their wiki pages lol'.
I liked that it was women from around the world and throughout history, although I thought that American women were overrepresented.
Having said that, I do feel that I've learned a lot and at times I was inspired not to give a shit. Overall, fantastic concept, good variety, but not very well executed. Could have done with some very VERY harsh editing (cut everything in first person and seriously rethink the frequency of the word 'obvs').
I'm STILL marvelling at the introduction to one of the months in which Sandi put the 'Anglo-Saxon' word alongside the 'Old English' word and then observed that they were remarkably similar... If it was remotely funny I'd be more sure it was a joke...
Apologies to Sandi for this roast.
Lack of footnotes or reading list also bothered me because she must have HAD one so why not put it in...??? Unless it was just 'their wiki pages lol'.
I liked that it was women from around the world and throughout history, although I thought that American women were overrepresented.
Having said that, I do feel that I've learned a lot and at times I was inspired not to give a shit. Overall, fantastic concept, good variety, but not very well executed. Could have done with some very VERY harsh editing (cut everything in first person and seriously rethink the frequency of the word 'obvs').
I'm STILL marvelling at the introduction to one of the months in which Sandi put the 'Anglo-Saxon' word alongside the 'Old English' word and then observed that they were remarkably similar... If it was remotely funny I'd be more sure it was a joke...
Apologies to Sandi for this roast.
verityglendenning's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
lucy1425's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book! Well worth taking a year to finish it to be able to read about so many wonderful women throughout history.
moominbit's review against another edition
4.0
Marvelously intersectional.
A new beloved book to read again and again.
A new beloved book to read again and again.