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A review by katykelly
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
4.0
Female sexuality - dark, provocative, leaves questions unanswered.
Three stories. Each could have been fiction, but each was actually told to a journalist and is a true account. The audio version gives each a different voice, each looking at different types of marriage and adult relationships, different balances of power within them, and how women use and are used for their sexuality, bodies and freedoms.
Each story could have its own book and whole set of discussions and notes. The 17-year-old who has an affair with an older (married) teacher. The unsatisfied married woman who has a passionate affair. The happily married wife whose husband watches her perform intimate acts on other people.
The stories are narrated by the women in the first person, Taddeo gives us very detailed, contextualised and immediate accounts making each feel very personal and sympathetic. There are moments of horror and a lot to empathise with.
I had questions as I listened, there were questions I felt Taddeo didn't answer, didn't cover with her subjects. Things I would have asked and covered in the book. Frustrating, as each story was covered in such detail. And I wanted to know more about the 'afters' as well.
The book did a great job of showing the vast variety of sexual experience women have, how easy it can be to 'allow' things to happen, explore areas we don't talk about or hide. Importantly, it brings them to the fore, whatever your opinion on them.
Loved the idea that this stemmed from real interviews with real women, I would love to see this become a trending genre, maybe with some companion pieces on the psychology of relationships (in this example), or endnotes to give scientific/sociological context.
One I won't forget easily. Excellent for the audio format with wonderful narrators and a narrative style that lends itself to being read aloud and consumed aurally.
Three stories. Each could have been fiction, but each was actually told to a journalist and is a true account. The audio version gives each a different voice, each looking at different types of marriage and adult relationships, different balances of power within them, and how women use and are used for their sexuality, bodies and freedoms.
Each story could have its own book and whole set of discussions and notes. The 17-year-old who has an affair with an older (married) teacher. The unsatisfied married woman who has a passionate affair. The happily married wife whose husband watches her perform intimate acts on other people.
The stories are narrated by the women in the first person, Taddeo gives us very detailed, contextualised and immediate accounts making each feel very personal and sympathetic. There are moments of horror and a lot to empathise with.
I had questions as I listened, there were questions I felt Taddeo didn't answer, didn't cover with her subjects. Things I would have asked and covered in the book. Frustrating, as each story was covered in such detail. And I wanted to know more about the 'afters' as well.
The book did a great job of showing the vast variety of sexual experience women have, how easy it can be to 'allow' things to happen, explore areas we don't talk about or hide. Importantly, it brings them to the fore, whatever your opinion on them.
Loved the idea that this stemmed from real interviews with real women, I would love to see this become a trending genre, maybe with some companion pieces on the psychology of relationships (in this example), or endnotes to give scientific/sociological context.
One I won't forget easily. Excellent for the audio format with wonderful narrators and a narrative style that lends itself to being read aloud and consumed aurally.