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A review by jill_reads
Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution by Laurie Penny
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is a really searing and yet grounding approach to feminism that is so succinct in its points and easy to both understand and be challenged by that it’s hard to think anyone would finish this book unaffected, uninspired, or unequipped. I have spent over a decade intentionally consuming feminist perspectives, insights, and theory and still found new and re-invigorating ideas in this text.
I love that Penny does not sugar coat things, does not hesitate to note the ways in which “progress” has failed to lead to tangible liberation for so many women, how neoliberalism remains the ever-imposing despot to that goal of liberation, and even how women themselves can hold each other back back when they fail to make room and consideration for queer, lower class, and racially marginalized individuals. I also love Penny’s insistence that we have the means, the technology and the knowledge to DO and BE better in society and that it is inexcusable that we are still massively controlling, oppressing, traumatizing, policing, and limiting such a huge swath of the population. I also love that men are included in this discussion, not only for their gender specific issues but with a call to be a part of a liberation project that will lead to a better future for them as well (as sometimes feminism can be seen as something done FOR women rather than a project that brings a whole society into a richer, more colourful and healthy future).
My main two hitches with this book were that I flinched a little every time she used the term “transsexual” (maybe was still in popular use at the time of this writing?) and the lack of much attention being given to the influence of race and culture in her perspectives on women’s struggles. That being said, what I think is a real strength in this book IS the way that it doesn’t necessarily delve into individual nuance or subclass and takes a very broad and overarching approach to the issues themselves rather than those impacted by the issues. Easy for me to say that a white western woman writes relatably “for everyone” as a white western woman, though, so… take it with a grain of salt.
I love that Penny does not sugar coat things, does not hesitate to note the ways in which “progress” has failed to lead to tangible liberation for so many women, how neoliberalism remains the ever-imposing despot to that goal of liberation, and even how women themselves can hold each other back back when they fail to make room and consideration for queer, lower class, and racially marginalized individuals. I also love Penny’s insistence that we have the means, the technology and the knowledge to DO and BE better in society and that it is inexcusable that we are still massively controlling, oppressing, traumatizing, policing, and limiting such a huge swath of the population. I also love that men are included in this discussion, not only for their gender specific issues but with a call to be a part of a liberation project that will lead to a better future for them as well (as sometimes feminism can be seen as something done FOR women rather than a project that brings a whole society into a richer, more colourful and healthy future).
My main two hitches with this book were that I flinched a little every time she used the term “transsexual” (maybe was still in popular use at the time of this writing?) and the lack of much attention being given to the influence of race and culture in her perspectives on women’s struggles. That being said, what I think is a real strength in this book IS the way that it doesn’t necessarily delve into individual nuance or subclass and takes a very broad and overarching approach to the issues themselves rather than those impacted by the issues. Easy for me to say that a white western woman writes relatably “for everyone” as a white western woman, though, so… take it with a grain of salt.