Scan barcode
andforgotten's review against another edition
4.0
"Neoliberal patriarchy gives us choice, but not freedom. No choice in an unfree society can be a truly free choice. The choice between this boss and that, the choice between marriage and penury, the choice between shame and self-denial, the choice between degrading work and debilitating poverty, all of these choices are meaningful, but they are not the same as liberty. Feminism and radical politicas are about demanding more than a choice between one type of servitude and another. They are about insisting on our right to live with dignity, our right to shelter and sustenance and learning and the means to take care of one another."
Laurie Penny has a way of calling things by their name that I've been struggling with but so far unable to define. The picture of today's neoliberal society as she paints it is a dark and frightening vision that definitely won't feel comfortable to anyone who reads this. Some are bound to call it a hyperbole, unreasonable and unfounded, but others will definitely see the truth in her words.
Speaking of someone from my own generation, she dares to voice radical critique, as well as radical ideas for change, and I admire that immensely.
Laurie Penny has a way of calling things by their name that I've been struggling with but so far unable to define. The picture of today's neoliberal society as she paints it is a dark and frightening vision that definitely won't feel comfortable to anyone who reads this. Some are bound to call it a hyperbole, unreasonable and unfounded, but others will definitely see the truth in her words.
Speaking of someone from my own generation, she dares to voice radical critique, as well as radical ideas for change, and I admire that immensely.
boundtwobooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing book. It is really something special and something that both men and women should read. If you are looking to learn more about feminism and what it is and how it fits into our society today, then this really is a great starting point. It's written in an easy and accessible way, which for me is what makes it so powerful. Penny discusses issues that affect women and men and how gender roles and gender stereotypes can stifle progress and understanding.
Many people have called Penny angry. Her proses are unapologetic and her arguments are clear. Penny's anger is justified - everyone should be angry about inequality and harm gender roles can inflict on men and women. Although, Penny's writing is more than just angry. It is hopeful and encouraging. It is comforting and challenging.
You need to get this book and read it. And then buy a copy for everyone you know and give it to them at birthdays and Christmas or just because it's a Tuesday. No seriously. Go, buy this book!
Many people have called Penny angry. Her proses are unapologetic and her arguments are clear. Penny's anger is justified - everyone should be angry about inequality and harm gender roles can inflict on men and women. Although, Penny's writing is more than just angry. It is hopeful and encouraging. It is comforting and challenging.
You need to get this book and read it. And then buy a copy for everyone you know and give it to them at birthdays and Christmas or just because it's a Tuesday. No seriously. Go, buy this book!
broccsi's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I really wish the author would have talked more about the connections between the patriarchy and capitalism and more about intersectionalism besides mentioning them briefly. But overall, I liked her writing style and her summaries being so on point.
tortoasa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
i liked this but it felt very...limited in scope? which is understandable, laurie penny admits that she is young and is writing from her own perspective so i suppose the fact that the way this felt very very directed to a white middle class audience couldn't be helped
idk. i would maybe give it someone very new to feminism because i think it does express some of the anger and urgency fueling some of the movement in a way that feels non-threatening -- to me anyways, ymmv. plus penny is compelling just on a technical writing level, like sure almost none of it felt fresh but the way she said things made me willing to keep going
3 stars
idk. i would maybe give it someone very new to feminism because i think it does express some of the anger and urgency fueling some of the movement in a way that feels non-threatening -- to me anyways, ymmv. plus penny is compelling just on a technical writing level, like sure almost none of it felt fresh but the way she said things made me willing to keep going
3 stars
periodicreader's review against another edition
4.0
Unspeakable Things is about sex, sexuality, gender, living online and living out loud. The author is honest about who she is, and invites the reader into her world that is filled to the brim with misogyny and challenges you to think about yourself and the situations that you have been forced into.
Laurie Penny is an articulate activist who wants you to be as angry as she is...and step up to fight the good fight alongside her. She writes like a storyteller. Sometimes her descriptions seem a bit over the top, but her prose is often like poetry.
While my thoughts and ideas do not always coincide with hers, the fact that she is willing to discuss, or even defend, her life, lifestyle and any topics presented to her, makes me feel like she's the voice inside my head.
Laurie Penny is an articulate activist who wants you to be as angry as she is...and step up to fight the good fight alongside her. She writes like a storyteller. Sometimes her descriptions seem a bit over the top, but her prose is often like poetry.
While my thoughts and ideas do not always coincide with hers, the fact that she is willing to discuss, or even defend, her life, lifestyle and any topics presented to her, makes me feel like she's the voice inside my head.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
I don't have the appetite for this sort of political writing at the moment. There was a time, when I was in college, when I would have devoured it. Perhaps my revolutionary days are passed. Maybe I'm just complacent. There are too many other sources of agitation in my life at the moment.
Note: author under 30
Note: author under 30