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A review by ijustkindalikebooks
Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights by Helen Lewis
5.0
Covering really important topics throughout history for women, particularly the last one hundred years, this book covers the waves of feminism we have seen and what each one is done and the fights it’s been in to make sure we have the rights we have today. Lewis really delves into these areas so well and uses excellent moments in history and case studies to highlight women’s stories that make this book so easy to fall into and hard to put down.
Some chapters are harrowing to read, especially ‘Safety’ for me, which focuses on the safety of women and domestic violence women have to endure. I myself found this chapter this most difficult to read, however also one of the most illuminating as I recognised in moments what I have seen for myself. And illuminating is something that keeps going on throughout the book as it shines a light on women I haven't heard the stories of, and now want to know more.
This book does contain difficult women, problematic women, women who may not be considered heroes to some, but that doesn’t stop them being important to the women’s movement and this book is clear about what these women believed in but also the impact they had - women such as Marie Stopes for example. I appreciate the honesty the author has when it comes to the women who are shown in this book, something that in looking for the inspirational often gets hidden.
A great book that covers so many perspectives and allows for intersectionality, in a way that makes it readable and very easy to read. For me this would be a good place to begin if you wanted to know about these areas of women’s history and politics as though Lewis does cover big topics, she does explain everything well and it makes for a greater immersive experience.
Some chapters are harrowing to read, especially ‘Safety’ for me, which focuses on the safety of women and domestic violence women have to endure. I myself found this chapter this most difficult to read, however also one of the most illuminating as I recognised in moments what I have seen for myself. And illuminating is something that keeps going on throughout the book as it shines a light on women I haven't heard the stories of, and now want to know more.
This book does contain difficult women, problematic women, women who may not be considered heroes to some, but that doesn’t stop them being important to the women’s movement and this book is clear about what these women believed in but also the impact they had - women such as Marie Stopes for example. I appreciate the honesty the author has when it comes to the women who are shown in this book, something that in looking for the inspirational often gets hidden.
A great book that covers so many perspectives and allows for intersectionality, in a way that makes it readable and very easy to read. For me this would be a good place to begin if you wanted to know about these areas of women’s history and politics as though Lewis does cover big topics, she does explain everything well and it makes for a greater immersive experience.