A review by georgiasbookescapes
I Don't by Clementine Ford

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Clementine Ford is a feminist and in her latest book, she looks at the history and current sociopolitical worlds of marriage with a lens focused on middle class white people. Throughout the book Ford provides numerous references for statistics and historical facts whilst also providing a manifesto like voice to her writing. For those who enjoyed, in particular Fight Like A Girl, you will find a somewhat similar voice here. Ford doesn’t hold back, looking at history, the financial implications and choices that are made, statistics on divorce, pregnancy and divorce, the all too commonly overlooked domestic violence and a chapter on the engagement ring industry alone. Although for me personally, it did not sway me into wanting to marry my current partner (no need for congratulations yet, we’re still to formally get engaged rather than verbally affirm marriage is a entity we’d like to engage in), it was interesting to learn more about the history of the wedding industry and reflect on different aspects of how or why I may want to choose to make this choice. And ultimately, Ford is not telling people they cannot make the decision for marriage for themselves, but I felt, rather reflect on why each aspect is important given in white middle class society we are encouraged to blindly follow the narrative of marriage and what is “normal” regarding it. For Ford that meant realising she does not want to marry and that’s amazing and after reading this book I can see why she has chosen that for herself. I highly recommend this book for all people, those wanting to, or not wanting to marry, learn more about one of the most expensive industries for white middle class populations and reflect more within your own choices on the matter.