A review by sassylk
Flâneuse: Women Walk the City in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice and London by Lauren Elkin

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Really fascinating examination of various women and their experiences walking in the city. I loved Elkin’s observations, and the way she weaves her own memoir into literary criticism and historical commentary. Her descriptions of the cities she’s lived in are evocative and clear, making me miss cities I’ve been to (London and Paris), and helping me understand ones I haven’t been to (Tokyo and New York). at times it can be quite a messy dialogue (i didn’t really enjoy the ‘everywhere’ chapter), and i did think her commentary on japan felt slightly ungrateful? I also would have enjoyed more diversity of voices - perhaps if she’d been more open to understanding tokyo she would’ve read more japanese women flaneurs? not sure. overall though, i really loved it, and as a love letter to walking in cities, it’s one i can really get behind.