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andyb96's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.25
This was a really interesting book that taught me a lot, however the format did get a bit stale - there was a lot of repetition, and the occasional jumps from brief notes to full sentences was a bit jarring. The content itself was great though, and Toksvig is as likeable as ever
charlottesomewhere's review
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
I loved this. I've learnt about so many women in history I never knew about before. It's packed with brilliant women who did brilliant things and managed to make me laugh and feel angry at the same time. Sandi's narration of the audiobook was marvellous.
pezski's review
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Toksvig, national treasure that she is, takes us through the year highlighting the lives of mostly - but not entirely - women from history, as well as interesting facts and events, all with her wonderful dry wit. She reads the audiobook herself, and listening to her is a pure delight.
While some of the people she mentions are well known - Ediths Piaf and Wharton, Betty Friedan, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ida B, Wells, Benazir Bhutto - most are lesser known, especially considering their accomplishments. The running theme is of people denied education, status and recognition due to their sex, and often their colour
This is not just a celebration; showing only the good and the great or venerating these women would do them a disservice; it is impossible to mention Coco Chanel without mention that she was a Nazi spy, and Toksvig includes three female serial killers.
She begins by writing about how even the tools of literacy have so often been denied women, despite the fact that:
- The first writer in the world of any kind that we know about was a woman. The earliest known poet whose name was recorded was Enhaduana, who lived in the Sumerian city-state of Ur in the 23rd century BC.
She also makes a point of saying that these are merely snippets introductory appetisers that should lead us into deeper reading. "Amuse-bouches for the mind", and I find myself both amused and intrigued
lost_luna's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a lovely introduction to so many amazing women throughout history and the world.
rhys_thomas_sparey's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
An encyclopedia of women's achievements presented with exquisite wit and interposed with fun asides spanning themes as disparate as the language, history, and culture of various parts of the year: annual rituals, alternative names of months, ancient customs, and so forth.
Toksvig's knack for pairing informative concision with dry humour in precise and accessible prose made my 2021 that little bit more enlightening and enjoyable. It is also worth praising the sheer scope, historical and geographical, of the figures who are included in this volume. Both Ancient Babylonian priestesses and Mughal Indian queens get discussed. It does what it says on the proverbial tin, but there is something to be said of the layout of an almanac which can make it seem like a bit of a slog. The simple remedy for that is to feel permitted to deviate from the time span with which it is intended to be read, though I cannot help wondering if there is some other format through which this rich history could have been illustrated. Nevertheless, fans of all backgrounds who are interested in structured light reading, interesting stories, or carefully curated banter will find something worthwhile in Sandi Toksvig's Almanac.
Toksvig's knack for pairing informative concision with dry humour in precise and accessible prose made my 2021 that little bit more enlightening and enjoyable. It is also worth praising the sheer scope, historical and geographical, of the figures who are included in this volume. Both Ancient Babylonian priestesses and Mughal Indian queens get discussed. It does what it says on the proverbial tin, but there is something to be said of the layout of an almanac which can make it seem like a bit of a slog. The simple remedy for that is to feel permitted to deviate from the time span with which it is intended to be read, though I cannot help wondering if there is some other format through which this rich history could have been illustrated. Nevertheless, fans of all backgrounds who are interested in structured light reading, interesting stories, or carefully curated banter will find something worthwhile in Sandi Toksvig's Almanac.