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amybrownhughes 's review for:
The Second Sex
by Simone de Beauvoir
This is a difficult book and not only for it's length. 60 years later and still so much remains to be thought and worked through existentially, philosophically, socially, theologically, etc on women. I was surprised at her reach, impressed by her candor and thankful for her contribution. It is not an easy read, especially if one is not terribly comfortable thinking about the realities of what women have faced and continue to face (I had to put it down several times in order to release myself from the devastating accounts she includes). She explores at length female sexuality from various angles, which sometimes digresses into a version of rumination that I tend to find tiresome. I understand why she does it, however, especially considering her context and also considering her own personal journey, which I think is best put aside so as not to divert from this work.
Her historical work is not where I would like it to be although this is mostly due to scope. I also think that while she is certainly entitled to her bone that she picks with religion (she deals mostly with Christianity although she has choice things to say about others as well) and goodness knows she is right on many counts, there is more there than she wants to allow. She hints at it at times, but doesn't really offer a challenge of Christianity in the ways that I think would be most fruitful. Of course, this is not her project but it does frame a conversation that Christianity really needs to engage.
This is a book women need to pick up with boldness and face. She is much less strident than I thought she would be and also more hopeful in many regards. The scope is refreshing since so much on the feminist end tends to be on the narrow end of scope. It is dated of course, so her examples, books and method of writing reflect that, but the book is important enough to deal with such things.
Her historical work is not where I would like it to be although this is mostly due to scope. I also think that while she is certainly entitled to her bone that she picks with religion (she deals mostly with Christianity although she has choice things to say about others as well) and goodness knows she is right on many counts, there is more there than she wants to allow. She hints at it at times, but doesn't really offer a challenge of Christianity in the ways that I think would be most fruitful. Of course, this is not her project but it does frame a conversation that Christianity really needs to engage.
This is a book women need to pick up with boldness and face. She is much less strident than I thought she would be and also more hopeful in many regards. The scope is refreshing since so much on the feminist end tends to be on the narrow end of scope. It is dated of course, so her examples, books and method of writing reflect that, but the book is important enough to deal with such things.