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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
Short version: I need everyone I know to read this radical book.
Long version:
I have loved Mona for a long time, following her on Twitter and devoting my heart to her when she went on an Australian roundtable and unapologetically asked, "How many rapists must we kill until men stop raping women?" Among the following uproar and outrage over her statement, she merely remarked that people were more upset over her hypothetical question than the statistical regularity of men raping women. Mona is a forest fire of righteous rage, and I could not love her more.
It took me a while to read this book. Each chapter was so empowering, yet overwhelming, because Mona sees the world so clearly. Mona wakes up her reader--because to survive in the world, we have become used to injustice and daily horrors. And through this book we remember, "Wait, that's fucked up!" It's a lot to digest, but it is SO worth it. I annotated so many thoughts and ideas.
But Mona isn't just reminding us about why the patriarchy sucks, we already know that--she is intent on giving us the TOOLS we need to combat it. Stripping away the shame, and encouraging us to tap into Anger, Attention, Profanity, Ambition, Power, Violence and Lust. All of these "sins" are attributes the patriarchy discourages in women and minorities, to take away our power and make destroying the system that much harder. Mona has no qualms about calling out patriarchy and its presence in "the state, the streets and the home", as well as religious institutions. She sees things so clearly, and calls us in to the fight.
She also shows examples of how feminist and queer activists around the world have stood up to the patriarchy, and these are stories women like me don't usually hear. This is a global fight, and it's happening every day. I have so many radical heroes to look up to now.
This book is RADICAL. It will ignite a revolution in your head. It's the book/voice you've been waiting for.
Long version:
I have loved Mona for a long time, following her on Twitter and devoting my heart to her when she went on an Australian roundtable and unapologetically asked, "How many rapists must we kill until men stop raping women?" Among the following uproar and outrage over her statement, she merely remarked that people were more upset over her hypothetical question than the statistical regularity of men raping women. Mona is a forest fire of righteous rage, and I could not love her more.
It took me a while to read this book. Each chapter was so empowering, yet overwhelming, because Mona sees the world so clearly. Mona wakes up her reader--because to survive in the world, we have become used to injustice and daily horrors. And through this book we remember, "Wait, that's fucked up!" It's a lot to digest, but it is SO worth it. I annotated so many thoughts and ideas.
But Mona isn't just reminding us about why the patriarchy sucks, we already know that--she is intent on giving us the TOOLS we need to combat it. Stripping away the shame, and encouraging us to tap into Anger, Attention, Profanity, Ambition, Power, Violence and Lust. All of these "sins" are attributes the patriarchy discourages in women and minorities, to take away our power and make destroying the system that much harder. Mona has no qualms about calling out patriarchy and its presence in "the state, the streets and the home", as well as religious institutions. She sees things so clearly, and calls us in to the fight.
She also shows examples of how feminist and queer activists around the world have stood up to the patriarchy, and these are stories women like me don't usually hear. This is a global fight, and it's happening every day. I have so many radical heroes to look up to now.
This book is RADICAL. It will ignite a revolution in your head. It's the book/voice you've been waiting for.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Absolutely incredible, nuanced perspectives from a badass journalist and activist. 10/10 recommend for absolutely everyone.
just not in the mood for it right now. i’ll try again some other time maybe
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Thoughts
"What would the world look like if girls were taught they were volcanoes, whose erruptions were a thing of beauty, a power to behold, a force not to be trifled with?"
This book is female rage. In fact the first chapter/necessary sin is anger.
I was worried this might be a little too self-helpish and while it did read a little like that it is more so the author explaining her thoughts on how to fight the patriarchy. And she IS an activist. She has been arrested and detained for her work. She is talking about something she is actively involved in.
"White supremacy promises white women protection from the imagined danger of men of color in return for their loyalty. But the truth is, women around the world are hurt the most by men they know: current or former partners or relatives. In other words, the greater danger for white women who vote for far-right groups is their own misogynists."
I think this is a must read. I think her story is important and she raises some important questions that need consideration.
"What would the world look like if girls were taught they were volcanoes, whose erruptions were a thing of beauty, a power to behold, a force not to be trifled with?"
This book is female rage. In fact the first chapter/necessary sin is anger.
I was worried this might be a little too self-helpish and while it did read a little like that it is more so the author explaining her thoughts on how to fight the patriarchy. And she IS an activist. She has been arrested and detained for her work. She is talking about something she is actively involved in.
"White supremacy promises white women protection from the imagined danger of men of color in return for their loyalty. But the truth is, women around the world are hurt the most by men they know: current or former partners or relatives. In other words, the greater danger for white women who vote for far-right groups is their own misogynists."
I think this is a must read. I think her story is important and she raises some important questions that need consideration.
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Eltahawy has survived so much and she is rightfully pissed off. She does a really good job at connecting her life experiences with this manifesto. It is a bold refreshing take on dismantling the patriarchy. Eltahawy's attempt at creating a intersectional feminist manifesto are better than at lot of the modern books I've recently. I think I would have loved this book when I was a teen.
I didn't like that it was so repetitive at times. I am glad I got the audio book because I was able to tune out when it did. I think about this book often which is a good sign. I like the overall message that woman and girl need to know they have power and a right to use it. I just wish it wasn't so repetitive at times.
I didn't like that it was so repetitive at times. I am glad I got the audio book because I was able to tune out when it did. I think about this book often which is a good sign. I like the overall message that woman and girl need to know they have power and a right to use it. I just wish it wasn't so repetitive at times.
3.5 Stars
Not bad, not bad at all. Written with the flames of a familiar feminist fury, I understand, respect, and stand by Eltahawy. However, I must admit that The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls tends to get unnecessarily repetitive.
Not bad, not bad at all. Written with the flames of a familiar feminist fury, I understand, respect, and stand by Eltahawy. However, I must admit that The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls tends to get unnecessarily repetitive.
fast-paced
It's a great case-in-point of how the loss of vocabulary to describe the plight of women and girls under patriarchy makes it difficult to fight patriarchal oppression. It's not "cisgender and nonbinary people" who can't get jobs because they might be pregnant. It's any female person regardless of gender identity, and no nonbinary person who is male.
slow-paced