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tildahlia's review
2.0
As far as the essay went, to me it read as a phoned in attempt to capitalise on the current profile feminist issues are getting in the public arena. Without knowing much about Anna Goldsworthy, I came away feeling as though she perhaps wasn't the strongest candidate to give us the edifying and considered analysis of these issues that we are all craving for (in light of Julia Gillard's departure from politics and otherwise).
There were some moderately interesting observations about the self-perpetuating tendency of women to grit their teeth and 'get on with it' in the face of bullish and sexist behaviour (ala Julia Gillard), largely driven by the expectation of men that women should simply suck it up. Ditto the brief section on the way in which levers are pulled (by men, obvs) in our public discourse to subtly but emphatically silence women in power. I think if she had stuck to these issues and fleshed them out more thoughtfully and in greater depth, the essay would have been much improved. But the author couldn't resist dipping into the tired shopping list of 'usual suspect' issues for women (make up, body issues, porn etc) and rushing through them superficially, leaning heavily on well-worn pop culture analogies in the TV series Girls and on the funny but overused Caitlin Moran.
Far more fascinating was the correspondence section with some incredibly thoughtful reviews of Mark Latham's essay, Not Dead Yet. As is often the case with QE, I found the response to his essay far more interesting than the essay itself, and this collection of correspondence was a truly outstanding collection of reflections on Mark Latham himself, his policy and reform ideas and on the Labor party. Some real gems with one correspondent referring to him as a 'fading gurgle of political failure' - ouch! Whether you have read Latham's essay or not, do yourself a favour and read this correspondence.
There were some moderately interesting observations about the self-perpetuating tendency of women to grit their teeth and 'get on with it' in the face of bullish and sexist behaviour (ala Julia Gillard), largely driven by the expectation of men that women should simply suck it up. Ditto the brief section on the way in which levers are pulled (by men, obvs) in our public discourse to subtly but emphatically silence women in power. I think if she had stuck to these issues and fleshed them out more thoughtfully and in greater depth, the essay would have been much improved. But the author couldn't resist dipping into the tired shopping list of 'usual suspect' issues for women (make up, body issues, porn etc) and rushing through them superficially, leaning heavily on well-worn pop culture analogies in the TV series Girls and on the funny but overused Caitlin Moran.
Far more fascinating was the correspondence section with some incredibly thoughtful reviews of Mark Latham's essay, Not Dead Yet. As is often the case with QE, I found the response to his essay far more interesting than the essay itself, and this collection of correspondence was a truly outstanding collection of reflections on Mark Latham himself, his policy and reform ideas and on the Labor party. Some real gems with one correspondent referring to him as a 'fading gurgle of political failure' - ouch! Whether you have read Latham's essay or not, do yourself a favour and read this correspondence.
avrilhj's review
5.0
Extremely well-written; not so much thought-provoking as thought-confirming, at least for me. Should be read by anyone who thinks women in Australia enjoy perfect equality with men.
bookpossum's review
5.0
Outstanding - a beautifully written, cool yet witty look at where we are in terms of "sex, freedom and misogyny" as the subtitle states.
Since Anna Goldsworthy wrote the essay, Australia's first female Prime Minister has been replaced by Kevin Rudd, the person she had earlier replaced. The relentless sexist attacks on Julia Gillard by the Opposition, by the various media and even by the enemies in her own party (not least Kevin Rudd of course) have been disgusting to observe over the last three years. We can now presumably all settle down again with a man in charge.
Since Anna Goldsworthy wrote the essay, Australia's first female Prime Minister has been replaced by Kevin Rudd, the person she had earlier replaced. The relentless sexist attacks on Julia Gillard by the Opposition, by the various media and even by the enemies in her own party (not least Kevin Rudd of course) have been disgusting to observe over the last three years. We can now presumably all settle down again with a man in charge.
elysecmcneil's review
4.0
Great essay. Enjoyed the nuanced consideration of feminist issues in an Australian and broader context. Thorough integration of a variety of sources.
rosanna92's review
This wasn't terrible but there are so many other - much better - books and essays about feminism and misogyny.
freshmowngrass's review
2.0
I knew it was going to be bad when she started quoting Caitlin Moran and Katy Roiphe.
bitesizebooks's review against another edition
1.0
Every Greer or Dunham reference took a star off. Jokes aside, this book could have been an interesting look at the misogyny solidified in our masculine political institutions, however, it chose to demonise sexual females by putting the argument forward that it is actually the availability of female sexuality that oppresses women. In the last few pages, it teeters on the edge of a realisation that would have made the entire essay seem like a satirical take on feminism. That realisation was shaping up to be 'intersectional feminism' as a solution bridging the divide between privileged and less privileged women and people. Disappointingly, it just resolves that feminism is more so just part of an unchanged culture stuck in pre-second wave feminist world. Who let this privileged white woman publish this pseudo-feminist bullshit? Should have been posted on MammaMia.
binghebun's review against another edition
2.0
as to be expected with a twenty five thousand word essay on feminism, there were things i agreed with and things i didn't. her use of greer and dunham as feminist touchstones was wack & goldsworthy seems to misunderstand that women do not have to speak on behalf on all women BUT that doesn't make them exempt from criticism. this was written in 2013, however, and things revolving feminism has changed a lot.
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