Scan barcode
waterbear0821's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
The title makes this book sound much more accessible than it is. Even though I agree with most of the perspectives of the authors, and I found some new and interesting ideas, I found the book extremely off-putting. I don’t know if it’s because the authors were so inspired by Marx, but the writing itself is incredibly academic and stilted. Who starts sentences with “Contra” in real life? So, let’s rename it “feminism for folks who are already super into Marx and social philosophy.” My second gripe is with the obsession with social reproduction. The authors make interesting points about how the at-home, behind-the-scenes care of home and family are rarely, if ever, factored into the math of economics and production, but something about how they presented this argument was off. What about people who’ve opted out of social reproduction? What about babies, kids, young people (all of us, really), who never asked to be born and still don’t want to be calculated as future producers? My last complaint is that, if there is anything that can be gleaned from this manifesto as a call to action, it’s to seek solidarity. But that’s absolutely antithetical to the actual book. It’s written not just “us versus them” but “us versus them and the other them.” I can’t imagine 99% can see themselves in the “us” described in this book. I can’t see myself in this “us” and I actually voluntarily read this book. On the plus side, though, it did make me realize that if I personally want to build relationships and alliances and solidarity, I cannot come off like this book does: full of name calling and belittling and judgment. I hope the authors find their people and get the revolution going, but it’s not for me.
milk's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.75
The ideas are good, I just felt it was kinda weak as a manifesto.
kayexplores's review against another edition
3.0
Sending appreciation to the authors of this book for advancing collective thought in this area. As AOC said regarding the Green New Deal, “If you don't like it, then YOU try.”
With that said, I’m likely an ideal target persona for this book, and it didn’t convert me. The major thesis of this book is capitalism is the root of all evil, which felt a little… lazy and oversimplified? There was no talk about actionable steps to move us in a better direction… ie: higher taxes on corporate profits, reallocation of government spending, raising minimum wage, proper climate regulations & funding, stopping war & the funding of the military industrial complex - all of those have to do with proper government oversight, not capitalism.
I don’t know the background of these authors, but I would guess they haven’t spent time in capitalistic corporations. If they did, they may find that capitalism is a tool America & the world isn’t welding appropriately, rather than a personified boogeyman with its own villainous ambitions.
It also seemed odd to me that a book for the majority - the 99% - alienates so many. There was a subtext that the only “good” virtuous people are women with children living in squalor, with everyone else being “bad” and fueling oppression. This is problematic for many reasons.
Lastly, this book struggles with concrete solutions, alternatives, examples, and calls to action. This begs the question that if ideas and examples aren’t readily available, are these really the correct underlying thesis regarding the very real issues of our day outlined that I full heartedly agree with?
Other reviewers call out the concern that this book speaks to peers, rather than those they’d like to convert. I’m one of the latter. I spent a good deal of time trying to find related content on Podcasts & the web to further understand the points made and sadly didn’t have luck.
With that said, I’m likely an ideal target persona for this book, and it didn’t convert me. The major thesis of this book is capitalism is the root of all evil, which felt a little… lazy and oversimplified? There was no talk about actionable steps to move us in a better direction… ie: higher taxes on corporate profits, reallocation of government spending, raising minimum wage, proper climate regulations & funding, stopping war & the funding of the military industrial complex - all of those have to do with proper government oversight, not capitalism.
I don’t know the background of these authors, but I would guess they haven’t spent time in capitalistic corporations. If they did, they may find that capitalism is a tool America & the world isn’t welding appropriately, rather than a personified boogeyman with its own villainous ambitions.
It also seemed odd to me that a book for the majority - the 99% - alienates so many. There was a subtext that the only “good” virtuous people are women with children living in squalor, with everyone else being “bad” and fueling oppression. This is problematic for many reasons.
Lastly, this book struggles with concrete solutions, alternatives, examples, and calls to action. This begs the question that if ideas and examples aren’t readily available, are these really the correct underlying thesis regarding the very real issues of our day outlined that I full heartedly agree with?
Other reviewers call out the concern that this book speaks to peers, rather than those they’d like to convert. I’m one of the latter. I spent a good deal of time trying to find related content on Podcasts & the web to further understand the points made and sadly didn’t have luck.
natanbcpc's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
I guess I expected this book to be something it's not. As a manifesto, it never tries to convince you or provide an in depth analysis.
While I pretty much agree with all the points being made, I missed more depth. I guess I can find that on the authors' other books though.
While I pretty much agree with all the points being made, I missed more depth. I guess I can find that on the authors' other books though.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This was a great book and reminder for how feminism needs to be for all women. It's easy to talk the talk but when it comes to actually thinking critically and understanding how our lives are different, it can be challenging. I'm definitely of the mindset that I don't need my feminism to benefit men or to focus on everyone, inclusive of men. But it's undeniable that when you help and support women from all walks of life, you also help their husbands, sons, and community.
mina_m's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
litt dårlig oversettelse, vil heller lese originalen.