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A review by katie_ponderingthepages
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Three Women is a work of non fiction, documenting the infatuation, love, sex and desire experiences of each woman and how different and nuanced that can be. Lina is in a passion-less relationship and knows she naturally needs more physical contact than she is currently getting so make her happy. Maggie has (should include the work allegedly here although I personally believe her account) had a sexual relationship with a teacher at school and has been rejected and hurt so much she decides to take her teacher to court over his manipulation and treatment of her. Finally, Sloane and her husband who enjoy inviting others into their relationship.
The writing almost reads as though it is fiction, the retellings are detailed and emotional. Lisa Taddeo’s writing was very deep, sometimes dark and comes across as fair and honest. I started this expecting to feel empowered by these women’s stories, but I wasn’t left feeling that way. I felt the men held most of the power, they had the control and they called the shots. The further I read the more I felt a bit disappointed by the direction of the stories, I wanted these women to proudly have more control. Perhaps though this is the point. In a patriarchal society men’s influence and power infiltrates even a women’s sexual desire. Perhaps that wasn’t the point and I was justified in my disappointment. I’m just not sure.
The writing almost reads as though it is fiction, the retellings are detailed and emotional. Lisa Taddeo’s writing was very deep, sometimes dark and comes across as fair and honest. I started this expecting to feel empowered by these women’s stories, but I wasn’t left feeling that way. I felt the men held most of the power, they had the control and they called the shots. The further I read the more I felt a bit disappointed by the direction of the stories, I wanted these women to proudly have more control. Perhaps though this is the point. In a patriarchal society men’s influence and power infiltrates even a women’s sexual desire. Perhaps that wasn’t the point and I was justified in my disappointment. I’m just not sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicide