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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
The third book recommended to me on World Bookshop Day by Richard and Mel at Drake Bookshop in Stockton, England - this is the one that really made me nod, fume, ponder….and cry.
Erica, a young academic curates a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of photographer Veronica Moon. Through the selection of photographs comes a modern history of feminism: the Dagenham equal pay strike to Margaret Thatcher; Miss World protests to #MeToo.
My absolute favourite bits of this book were the “Dear John” letters, written by the fictional Leonie Barratt, an uncompromising, unapologetic feminist firebrand fighting to overthrow the patriarchy. They took me back to my own student days and the big questions we all struggled with, how to live well – and fairly – with one another.
The technical aspects of photography are brought to life, an integral part of the story. The exhibition images are described so vividly that its hard not to believe they really exist.
I won’t say more on the carefully crafted plot, except to say that it delivers on every level - emotional and intellectual.
We need more unapologetic women. Stephanie Butland, you should indeed be dammed proud. Once I've wiped away my tears, I'll rock back on my heels and roar with you.
Erica, a young academic curates a retrospective exhibition featuring the work of photographer Veronica Moon. Through the selection of photographs comes a modern history of feminism: the Dagenham equal pay strike to Margaret Thatcher; Miss World protests to #MeToo.
My absolute favourite bits of this book were the “Dear John” letters, written by the fictional Leonie Barratt, an uncompromising, unapologetic feminist firebrand fighting to overthrow the patriarchy. They took me back to my own student days and the big questions we all struggled with, how to live well – and fairly – with one another.
The technical aspects of photography are brought to life, an integral part of the story. The exhibition images are described so vividly that its hard not to believe they really exist.
I won’t say more on the carefully crafted plot, except to say that it delivers on every level - emotional and intellectual.
We need more unapologetic women. Stephanie Butland, you should indeed be dammed proud. Once I've wiped away my tears, I'll rock back on my heels and roar with you.
The Woman in the Photograph brings to light the history of feminism from the 1960s onward in a book which I found completely compelling.
Veronica Moon - Vee - is a press photographer at a time when it was a very male dominated profession. Unlike her male colleagues though, she gets sent on mundane assignments such as photographing local Church sales. This all changes when, on one of her days off, she decides to go to Dagenham where female workers are striking for equal pay. This is her first experience of women vociferously voicing their anger at sexism and inequality. She meets Leonie, the subject of what becomes her most famous photograph, perhaps infamous is a better word, and her life is never the same. This photograph is the focus of a mystery at the heart of the story - why did it ruin Vee's flourishing career and why did she hardly ever take another photograph?
I was young in the 70s but I can remember that feminism was almost a dirty word. It was often a really derogatory term. We're talking about a time when women often gave up work when they married, almost always did when they had children and couldn't even buy their own drink in some pubs! Men certainly couldn't be feminists - they seen as the enemy, the patriarchy. Vee was a bit conflicted about this initially as she had been brought up by her father who always encouraged and supported her.
The relationship between Leonie and Vee was fascinating. Leonie was strong, determined and outspoken. Vee was quieter but grew in confidence throughout the book both as a woman and as a photographer. She saw herself as already being part of a change to a certain extent, being a woman photographer in a sphere that had largely been a male domain.
In 2018, Leonie's niece Erica is putting on a retrospective exhibition of Vee's photography. Through her we see how times and attitudes have. It is true that early feminists started a time of great progress for women but perhaps not enough yet. For example, Erica's husband talks about babysitting his own child. And he's not alone in that attitude as I'm sure many women will recognise. Women are still considered primary caregivers for their children whether they work or not.
The main themes of this book of feminism, sexuality and equality, are brought into sharp focus through the all seeing eye of the camera. Significant moments in the history of feminism are caught by Vee's camera but it's more than just the moment, a photo is the glimpse of a person, a life and there is always a story behind each photo.
I must mention that I thought the structure of the book was very effective. Each section begins with a part of Vee's unpublished book for women photographers, followed by an explanation of one of the photos in the exhibition. There is some information about what was happening that year and then what was happening for Vee and Leonie, bringing it right down to the personal detail. And it is this personal detail which I so enjoyed in the book, the intense friendship between the two women and the way the bonds between them grew as the fight for equality continued. It wasn't always an easy friendship, Leonie was often a volatile person. But the bonds between the two were strong and influential throughout their lives.
The Woman in the Photograph is an outstanding five star read. It made me grateful to all the feminists who stood up for themselves and other women and helped make the world a better, more equal place for women today. To paraphrase the book slightly, it is a must-read for anyone who cares about the past and future of feminism.
Veronica Moon - Vee - is a press photographer at a time when it was a very male dominated profession. Unlike her male colleagues though, she gets sent on mundane assignments such as photographing local Church sales. This all changes when, on one of her days off, she decides to go to Dagenham where female workers are striking for equal pay. This is her first experience of women vociferously voicing their anger at sexism and inequality. She meets Leonie, the subject of what becomes her most famous photograph, perhaps infamous is a better word, and her life is never the same. This photograph is the focus of a mystery at the heart of the story - why did it ruin Vee's flourishing career and why did she hardly ever take another photograph?
I was young in the 70s but I can remember that feminism was almost a dirty word. It was often a really derogatory term. We're talking about a time when women often gave up work when they married, almost always did when they had children and couldn't even buy their own drink in some pubs! Men certainly couldn't be feminists - they seen as the enemy, the patriarchy. Vee was a bit conflicted about this initially as she had been brought up by her father who always encouraged and supported her.
The relationship between Leonie and Vee was fascinating. Leonie was strong, determined and outspoken. Vee was quieter but grew in confidence throughout the book both as a woman and as a photographer. She saw herself as already being part of a change to a certain extent, being a woman photographer in a sphere that had largely been a male domain.
In 2018, Leonie's niece Erica is putting on a retrospective exhibition of Vee's photography. Through her we see how times and attitudes have. It is true that early feminists started a time of great progress for women but perhaps not enough yet. For example, Erica's husband talks about babysitting his own child. And he's not alone in that attitude as I'm sure many women will recognise. Women are still considered primary caregivers for their children whether they work or not.
The main themes of this book of feminism, sexuality and equality, are brought into sharp focus through the all seeing eye of the camera. Significant moments in the history of feminism are caught by Vee's camera but it's more than just the moment, a photo is the glimpse of a person, a life and there is always a story behind each photo.
I must mention that I thought the structure of the book was very effective. Each section begins with a part of Vee's unpublished book for women photographers, followed by an explanation of one of the photos in the exhibition. There is some information about what was happening that year and then what was happening for Vee and Leonie, bringing it right down to the personal detail. And it is this personal detail which I so enjoyed in the book, the intense friendship between the two women and the way the bonds between them grew as the fight for equality continued. It wasn't always an easy friendship, Leonie was often a volatile person. But the bonds between the two were strong and influential throughout their lives.
The Woman in the Photograph is an outstanding five star read. It made me grateful to all the feminists who stood up for themselves and other women and helped make the world a better, more equal place for women today. To paraphrase the book slightly, it is a must-read for anyone who cares about the past and future of feminism.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was never really interested in reading about feminism, but I had much to learn from this book. It is so well written and the timelines are solid and well constructed. It was amazing to be able to jump between one timeline to another and to know this characters. Vee is an organized, focused and talented photographer. She is amazing at what she does and that inspires me to continue to take photographs.
The book has a lot of feminist references. It shows us that the modern world still has a lot to evolve and that women are still not 100 percent respected.
I would like this book to talk more about photography than it did and that is the reason I classify it with 3.5 starts.
Altogether, If you like the concept of feminism and if you like photography, this could be a great read for you.
The book has a lot of feminist references. It shows us that the modern world still has a lot to evolve and that women are still not 100 percent respected.
I would like this book to talk more about photography than it did and that is the reason I classify it with 3.5 starts.
Altogether, If you like the concept of feminism and if you like photography, this could be a great read for you.
really interesting retelling about the UK feminist movement in the 60s but tbh I wanted Vee and Leonie to fall in love
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Absolutely wonderful. The writing is so beautiful, the characters feel so real and raw which makes the imagery in your head feel so much more alive and exciting.
Maybe as a feminist and photographer I am bias but the book spoke to me personally as it was perfect to have a novel so well done about two issues I deeply care about and was amazed how well Butland was able to describe photographs as if Veronica Moon was a real person and her archive something you’d physically seen.
By far one of my favourite books this year I feel such an immense joy and sadness that I’d finished it and inspired me to keep taking photography seriously, fighting for a change of equality and kept me grounded.
Maybe as a feminist and photographer I am bias but the book spoke to me personally as it was perfect to have a novel so well done about two issues I deeply care about and was amazed how well Butland was able to describe photographs as if Veronica Moon was a real person and her archive something you’d physically seen.
By far one of my favourite books this year I feel such an immense joy and sadness that I’d finished it and inspired me to keep taking photography seriously, fighting for a change of equality and kept me grounded.
Great book and a clever way of charting the changes in feminism from the 60s to now. Well worth a read.