Reviews

Living a Feminist Life by Sara Ahmed

drjoannehill's review against another edition

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5.0

(Did not read every page.) This is an important book. It is also exhausting, because almost every line is incredibly meaningful, so that if you were in the habit of highlighting important passages nearly the whole thing would be coloured in. It is useful and thoughtful and thought provoking. I will quote from it in my next paper. I skipped two chapters and skimmed another, because it was getting a bit full on. It is a book for academic feminists, it is not a general interest book (in my opinion). So, not an introduction to feminism, but ok if you want to think. I may return to read the rest another time. 4.5 stars rounded up.

vicgolding's review against another edition

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3.0

I’m not yet used to her style of writing, which gradually became repetitive, monotone and tiresome, leading me to speed read the rest after a while. But since this could be due to the fact that I’m a nonacademic, my level of proficiency doesn’t seem to be enough to criticise this, so I can’t necessarily say it’s bad writing.

The least I can say however is that she’s tackling a very complex, abstract and mystified subject, which on one hand added to the strain, but on the other exposes how difficult it actually is to adapt personal experiences to theory and I do admire the work she puts into spelling out the whole process. It urges me to reflect on my own feminist becoming, my own experiences of inequality and how these can be applied to making arguments.

And I have to be honest... before I started reading, I first thought the book was going to be an actual instruction manual to living a feminist life! :P But the “Killjoy Survival Kit” and “Killjoy Manifesto” are saved for last and make up only a small fraction of the book.

So in some way I was set up for disappointment from the get-go, but I’m still grateful for the few nuggets and nudges I was able to pick up on the way.

grimfandaisy's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

hannscurlock's review against another edition

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5.0

The feminist snap may be one of the most compelling non fiction chapter ive read ever.

marlephant's review

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.25

dewitnadine's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective

5.0

grayfeathers's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is mind-blowing and fascinating -- stars and hearts everywhere. As bell hooks says on the jacket, everyone should read this book.

abbylawr's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

A stunning and essential feminist text. Ahmed's symbol of the feminist killjoy put words to feelings I've held for so long and made me feel so seen. I learned so much from this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

noodlebooknook's review against another edition

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5.0

I agree with bell hooks everyone should read this book.

gloriabyrd's review against another edition

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3.0

With how often some words are repeated, even in the same sentence, you could make this a drinking game and be out within the first page.