sophiewoz's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
on the one hand i had fun, but on the other hand who says apotheosis so much
nesdy's review
3.0
This is good, and I appreciate what Millett is trying to do with her overview of how cultural representations of sexual politics have affected the way women and other minorities are perceived (e.g. all the damage Freud has done, which is still relevant to this day). I think Millett does a great job generally in explaining everything so that people who haven't read the books she's criticizing understand her points. However, this wasn't true in every case. Or maybe I was already bored towards the end because it does get a bit repetitive (some of these authors are very similar to one another) and I had trouble focusing on what she was saying. But I still think this is a worthwhile book, especially if you are into cultural criticism.
sarahreadsaverylot's review
4.0
4.5
We all know how easy it is to look back and criticize. It is very easy, but to do it eloquently, lucidly, and with the goal of creating a measuring stick for sexual politics is a feat to celebrate, not to mention that it is admirable, interesting and worth discussing.
I mean really, using literature as a barometer for the sexual-political climate of the times? What's not to enjoy? Yes, she indulges in close reading, but she does not go overboard and indulge tangents, whims or stray metaphors. Her focus and drive are scholastic and betray a huge respect for philosophical argument and for the history of the sexual revolution. As individual criticisms and overarching historical documentation, maybe they have been done before, and maybe even have been done better by some, but as an introduction to feminist history and a scathing review of some of the literary giants, it stands alone. Most importantly it still holds its ground almost 50 years later. Not only does she acknowledge class and racial warfare as significant props of the patriarchal political structure, but her arguments effectively anticipate the third wave.
I recommend this, as a key part of the ongoing dialogue, to anyone who is serious about understanding feminist history and theory.
We all know how easy it is to look back and criticize. It is very easy, but to do it eloquently, lucidly, and with the goal of creating a measuring stick for sexual politics is a feat to celebrate, not to mention that it is admirable, interesting and worth discussing.
I mean really, using literature as a barometer for the sexual-political climate of the times? What's not to enjoy? Yes, she indulges in close reading, but she does not go overboard and indulge tangents, whims or stray metaphors. Her focus and drive are scholastic and betray a huge respect for philosophical argument and for the history of the sexual revolution. As individual criticisms and overarching historical documentation, maybe they have been done before, and maybe even have been done better by some, but as an introduction to feminist history and a scathing review of some of the literary giants, it stands alone. Most importantly it still holds its ground almost 50 years later. Not only does she acknowledge class and racial warfare as significant props of the patriarchal political structure, but her arguments effectively anticipate the third wave.
I recommend this, as a key part of the ongoing dialogue, to anyone who is serious about understanding feminist history and theory.
prof_dr_mochi's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
ranikaith's review
So iam really overwhelmed from this masterpiece and i have to reread it several times until i grasp all information this essay contains. its brillianty written and it changed my perception about patriarchy, socialcultural issues and revolutionist movements. although it adresses the problems mainly from a western perspective and focuses on the plights of white woman( but the author stated that beforehand, so it is not dramatic) it doesnt fail to include other cultures aswell and recognizes the black rights movement which played an important role in the development of the second wave of sexual revolution. I can recommend everyone to read this essay to understand the construction of society. i know there are other more actual informations now and some the facts stated are outdated but still the content is more than valid today.