arielle22's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
An interesting read about the history of women and how labels like witch and slut have been forced upon us. The power of language and reclaiming words. I like the intersectionality of this book and how the author looks at the word with and slut from several different societal angles.
historic_chronicles's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
"The witch is undoubtedly the magical woman, the liberated woman, and the persecuted woman, but she can also be the everywoman."
What is a witch?
What makes one a slut?
And how do we define ourselves as a feminist?
These are the questions that the author challenges within this book.
While it may be short, it packs a punch of information that is fascinating and insightful leading to eye-opening debates and persuasive arguments.
Sollée details analysis on current events with passionate reflection of topics such as the comparison between the historic and modern witch, politics, racism and capitalism.
I found this book to be refreshingly engrossing with a clear feminist perspective that provided new context of the consequences to a patriarchal system long known to history.
Perhaps my one qualm would be that it was indeed American-centred and I would have liked a little more on what lay outside the US, however as being a UK resident this allowed me to broaden my knowledge of affairs that I may not have considered fully previously.
What is a witch?
What makes one a slut?
And how do we define ourselves as a feminist?
These are the questions that the author challenges within this book.
While it may be short, it packs a punch of information that is fascinating and insightful leading to eye-opening debates and persuasive arguments.
Sollée details analysis on current events with passionate reflection of topics such as the comparison between the historic and modern witch, politics, racism and capitalism.
I found this book to be refreshingly engrossing with a clear feminist perspective that provided new context of the consequences to a patriarchal system long known to history.
Perhaps my one qualm would be that it was indeed American-centred and I would have liked a little more on what lay outside the US, however as being a UK resident this allowed me to broaden my knowledge of affairs that I may not have considered fully previously.
lrector's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
A look at feminism throughout the years. The terms used to describe women who speak their mind, own their sexuality, and refuse to conform to societal standards of "proper". It jumped around a little too much for me, but the information was good & the resources are great. Of course there is controversy around women owning these terms and trying to impower them for the feminist movement or fighting the terms that already have such a hateful connotation.
phvntom's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
Your mileage may vary. Many parts of this book provide space for reflection about our cultural/societal views, but there's definitely a focus on cis, white feminism. The dialogue of the book heavily reflects this perspective, there are mentions of other marginalized identities (the author making an attempt to be intersectional), but it feels performative and surface level at best. After the paragraphs or sections that are meant to target important intersections of feminism, the language inevitably returns back to that focus- I don't fit this demographic and have a limited threshold of relating, and I became uncomfortable reading it after a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
violetbooklover's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
torrie_reads's review
4.0
Thoughts
This was a really good short introduction to the history of who has been called a witch, slut, and feminism around that.
I am glad it included a chapter on Tituba because she isn't talked about enough. She was an enslaved woman and the first accused during the Salem Witch trials. And honestly, you don't hear about her enough when there are talks of the Salem Witch Trials. But from what I saw in a documentary after they accused her, she was like yeah I am a witch and so are all these other women! She was like if they are going to take me down, I am going to take them down with me! So, more information on her is always appreciated.
I do feel like it could have been more intersectional though.
styx_the_gremlin's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Even though it's an exploration of the topics rather than an academic work, there's so much to learn from this, and the different aspects and perspectives in the book open up whole new ways of thinking about feminism and the witch archetype.