Reviews

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft

heeniee's review against another edition

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3.0

she wanted to rant and that's what she did.

giuliakyj's review against another edition

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4.0

The historical context in which the Vindication was written cannot be ignored when reading the book. Mary Wollstonecraft herself, even if she had revolutionary thoughts for that time, unconsciously was highly influenced by a patriarchal society and many times the contemporary reader might disagree with her. Still, women's emancipation and education are two essential elements upon which her arguments are based.
To be written at the end of the 18th century, I find it brilliant and provocative, a fair (again, considering the historial period) critique of society. However, I think this shouldn't be the first reading for someone who wants to approach feminism; the topic should be studied from contemporary sources first, to have the means to identify the Vindication's weaknesses and mistakes.
It is also very interesting to see how feminism emerged and trace how it developed over the centuries.

Mary Wollstonecraft is a person I'd love to have a coffee with while talking about feminism. She gave me the feeling of being a clever and open-minded person who would gladly listen to your arguments to learn more about feminism, even if they are in contrast with her ideas. This is, at least, how it felt reading the Vindication.

caltho's review against another edition

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i will have to reread, mmm
(also it does not take me this long to read it i was busy man)

luca_looselyreads's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

izumisano's review against another edition

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blah blah blah. people talk too much in the 1700s.

profbeards's review against another edition

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3.0

More of a 3.5 than a 3, mostly for style. MW is spot on with a lot of her arguments and complete deconstruction of her contemporaries and their poor treatment and opinions of women in general. I just forgot how, at times, her style can be hard to follow because she really tries to go for the jugular in almost every sentence.

jiggywithjordyn's review against another edition

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2.0

I really don't remember what I thought about this since I read it for a class in college.

cat_thecatlady's review against another edition

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3.0

it's very interesting to read such an old philosophy book because so many of the concepts we now accept as normal (school for both boys and girls, women in parliament, etc) were considered so radical. it is an old book, and it reads like one. it's funny and sarcastic at times but also a bit repetitive and overly long. this was the beginning of a lot of change, which puts it obligatorily on the reading list of any feminist theory enthusiast. I'm glad I finally read it!

michelleshinee's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

moav's review

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informative reflective slow-paced

3.0