littlemisselvis's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
I liked it… but it left me wanting more.
janez1299's review against another edition
4.0
Three Women is an enthralling and all-consuming journalistic retelling of three women and their sexual trauma and carnal desires. Like many of the other reviews stated, this is not a case study of the autonomy of female desires but rather an unflinching portrait of the subjugation of female sexuality and the perpetuation of violence against women. Taddeo delves deep into the psyche of the three women who have been denied, denigrated and shamed by society and uncovers three stunning stories about the rawness and compulsiveness of female desires when dictated by men.
Of the three stories, Maggie’s was the most extensive and haunting. An underage high school student at the time, she was groomed and lured into an illicit physical relationship by her charismatic high school teacher, the only adult figure she could confide in about personal and family troubles at the time. Years later, when Maggie decides to take her former “Teacher of the Year” abuser to court, the narrative is completely turned against her in a tidal wave of incredulity and she is suddenly painted as a “troubled soul who needed additional attention from the teacher”, despite the years of deep guilt and grievances for her bygone youth and innocence. Taddeo writes about the beguiling tactics men use to slowly chip away at women’s dignity and sanity until they are reduced to full submission in this brilliant quote:
Taddeo also makes an interesting point about how the lack we inherit from childhood can shape our adulthood behavior in this quote:
Overall, Taddeo is very gifted in writing compelling stories with sharp and intimate prose and Three Women is no different. While I would’ve appreciated more diversity in the women she selected to give a voice to, the stories she has chosen to amplify are unforgettable and remarkable in their own ways.
Of the three stories, Maggie’s was the most extensive and haunting. An underage high school student at the time, she was groomed and lured into an illicit physical relationship by her charismatic high school teacher, the only adult figure she could confide in about personal and family troubles at the time. Years later, when Maggie decides to take her former “Teacher of the Year” abuser to court, the narrative is completely turned against her in a tidal wave of incredulity and she is suddenly painted as a “troubled soul who needed additional attention from the teacher”, despite the years of deep guilt and grievances for her bygone youth and innocence. Taddeo writes about the beguiling tactics men use to slowly chip away at women’s dignity and sanity until they are reduced to full submission in this brilliant quote:
“a man will never let you fall completely into hell. He will scoop you up right before you drop the final inch so that you cannot blame him for sending you there. He keeps you in a dinerlike purgatory instead, waiting and hoping and taking orders.”
Taddeo also makes an interesting point about how the lack we inherit from childhood can shape our adulthood behavior in this quote:
“If people are denied certain parts of the relationship they need as children, they hunt for these parts as adults”.This is especially true in the case of Lina, a woman stuck in a loveless and sexless marriage chasing after companionship and security that she never received from her distant father. Lina’s despair at the lack of physical endearment she receives from her husband is a manifestation of the lack of love and attractiveness she felt growing up, therefore making every kiss and touch and the lack thereof that much more precious and devastating to her. Although Taddeo does briefly examine the familial relationships of each of the women, I felt that Sloane and Lina’s stories could be explored further beyond the realm of their sexual lives. The story ended abruptly and left me with more questions than closure.
Overall, Taddeo is very gifted in writing compelling stories with sharp and intimate prose and Three Women is no different. While I would’ve appreciated more diversity in the women she selected to give a voice to, the stories she has chosen to amplify are unforgettable and remarkable in their own ways.
autumnleeves's review against another edition
3.0
Reading through other reviews, I think I benefited from coming to this late and not knowing how it was marketed at its peak. I had no expectations, so I was more easily able to accept it at face value, as three women's specific stories, and not as a broader treatise on sexual desire that everyone else seemed to be expecting. I appreciated listening to the audiobook and the extra distinction that three separate narrators brought to how I took in these women's stories. The flip side of is that your influenced by their specific voices, and if there is one you don't respond well to, it changes your view of that character. An interesting read overall, no more and no less than what the title promises.