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emg25's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
A little outdated after 10 years (mostly in the sense that there’s more to be pissed off about now), but still relevant.
gloriabyrd's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Rape
pikkumarja's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
3.5
Bad feminist on kiinnostava ha erittäin helppolukuinen esseekokoelma. Konteksti on välillä haastava ja monet esimerkit ainakin minulle tuntemattomia. Populaarikulttuuriviittaukset vanhenevat joskus valitettavan nopeasti. Muutama essee oli aivan loistava, mutta kokonaisuus oli sellainen hieman liian tavallinen ja tasapaksu.
cheerbrarian's review
5.0
I listened to most of this book on audiobook. Then I bought it as a paperback. Then I bought it on Kindle. So, suffice it to say, I'm a fan.
I had heard of Roxanne Gay, and this book from a few close friends who sang its praises, but was finally compelled to pick it up as it was the book for the ANUW (Association of Northwestern University Women) book club pic of the month. (This makes three book clubs I am currently a member of. Not quite sure how that happened).
Roxanne Gay is one of the most raw and authentic writers I have ever read. She shares her views on gender, sexuality, race, politics, and entertainment. Poignant, stark and funny, she is unabashedly opinionated, but more importantly, she is clear in that doesn't have all the answers, but rather is relentlessly inquisitive, questioning, and thoughtful. She illustrates how she views the world, and how she would like it to be, and greatly details what it means to be a minority in America. This book is often uncomfortable as she is very vulnerable, but it makes you as the reader question your own perspectives and preconceive notions. And, because she puts her own out there, there isn't an accusation from her of "why aren't you doing better," but rather, it's as if she creates a safe space where you can examine your own perspectives.
Her writing style is so conversational it is like you are just hearing a friend tell you what they think, and chatting with them while trying to solve the problems of the world. The audio actress also read "The Hate U Give" and she is outstanding in her own right, so I suggest that format. I also think this is a book that you can pick up and put down easily, the essays are short and leave you a lot to think about. Hence buying it in multiple formats - I know I'm going to go back to it, time and again, and also pester people with experts. I wish more people were brave enough to put their thoughts down in such a way. This collection is the start of a conversation, or rather many conversations about multiple topics, and I highly recommend it to all. It is especially for women who struggle with what it is to be a feminist in the modern age, and all the pressures and complications of the feminist movement.
I had heard of Roxanne Gay, and this book from a few close friends who sang its praises, but was finally compelled to pick it up as it was the book for the ANUW (Association of Northwestern University Women) book club pic of the month. (This makes three book clubs I am currently a member of. Not quite sure how that happened).
Roxanne Gay is one of the most raw and authentic writers I have ever read. She shares her views on gender, sexuality, race, politics, and entertainment. Poignant, stark and funny, she is unabashedly opinionated, but more importantly, she is clear in that doesn't have all the answers, but rather is relentlessly inquisitive, questioning, and thoughtful. She illustrates how she views the world, and how she would like it to be, and greatly details what it means to be a minority in America. This book is often uncomfortable as she is very vulnerable, but it makes you as the reader question your own perspectives and preconceive notions. And, because she puts her own out there, there isn't an accusation from her of "why aren't you doing better," but rather, it's as if she creates a safe space where you can examine your own perspectives.
Her writing style is so conversational it is like you are just hearing a friend tell you what they think, and chatting with them while trying to solve the problems of the world. The audio actress also read "The Hate U Give" and she is outstanding in her own right, so I suggest that format. I also think this is a book that you can pick up and put down easily, the essays are short and leave you a lot to think about. Hence buying it in multiple formats - I know I'm going to go back to it, time and again, and also pester people with experts. I wish more people were brave enough to put their thoughts down in such a way. This collection is the start of a conversation, or rather many conversations about multiple topics, and I highly recommend it to all. It is especially for women who struggle with what it is to be a feminist in the modern age, and all the pressures and complications of the feminist movement.
brandonpytel's review
3.0
It’s tough to read cultural criticism, as well as the heavy topics that Roxanne Gay addresses in Bad Feminist, in the midst of a pandemic, but here we are. For me, the book’s theme was one of relentless vigilance needed to fight inherently oppressive, and many times regressive, male-dominated society, as well as the need to use the complexities of the human experience to break out of the boxes traditionally prescribed to feminism.
Through critiques of cultural staples, ranging from award-winning movies to contemporary hip-hop music and reality TV, Gay brings a fresh, funny, earnest and sometimes contradictory perspective to the American experience, as well as the African American and female experience.
My favorite section was Race and Entertainment, as Gay brought a refreshing and much-needed voice to movies from Django to The Help to Fruitvale Station to Tyler Perry movies. And the essay on Scrabble was hilarious.
Through critiques of cultural staples, ranging from award-winning movies to contemporary hip-hop music and reality TV, Gay brings a fresh, funny, earnest and sometimes contradictory perspective to the American experience, as well as the African American and female experience.
My favorite section was Race and Entertainment, as Gay brought a refreshing and much-needed voice to movies from Django to The Help to Fruitvale Station to Tyler Perry movies. And the essay on Scrabble was hilarious.
robwil's review
3.0
Some unique perspectives but mostly about race and not feminism. Tho I appreciate her overall point that there is no one right way of being feminist.
holdawayjen's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
onetrooluff's review against another edition
3.0
I started this last year but only got a few essays in. This time I finished. I'm definitely glad I read it, because she offers some interesting perspectives and makes you think. There's a lot to take in here, from feminist takes on various media (books or TV shows or movies), to rape culture, to competitive Scrabble (maybe not in that order).
She seems like a really interesting person, and I may look up her blog.
She seems like a really interesting person, and I may look up her blog.