erinisreading_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
anasuarez's review
5.0
I doubt I'll read a better non-fiction this year.
Great break down of the different models around the globe (partial criminalisation, full criminalisation, nordic model, legalisation, and decriminalisation) and how they intersect with issues like immigration, racism, class, police, or capitalism without ever losing sight of the relationship that sex work has with the patriarchy. Such a brilliant analysis.
Great break down of the different models around the globe (partial criminalisation, full criminalisation, nordic model, legalisation, and decriminalisation) and how they intersect with issues like immigration, racism, class, police, or capitalism without ever losing sight of the relationship that sex work has with the patriarchy. Such a brilliant analysis.
kateeh's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute must-read. Sex work is entangled with so many other justice issues - this book navigates it all and is written in a very accessible way. The chapter on borders was particularly eye-opening.
ellagrant26's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that shines a radically new light on a topic I only vaguely comprehended. It masterfully takes on the fraught issue of prostitution by always centring the experience and working conditions of sex workers. It makes it blindingly obvious that any policy that affects sex workers must take into account the voice and concerns of the very people who are forced to live with the consequences. It showed examples of some almost comical laws criminalising sex work, such as a US law that forced an underage mother to quit school to make time for the state forced art therapy sessions after being arrested for prostitution. It underpins how the seemingly quick and easy solution of criminalising prostitution to 'protect' sex workers, instead throws the most vulnerable women to the wolves. It is an undeniably cruel act to arrest, evict and steal from sex workers for simply living in the same flat in a bid to protect each other from violent clients. To laud this treatment as a feminist win is a sickening joke. Criminalising sex work does absolutely nothing to address the root cause and if issues like poverty or restrictive immigration controls persist then vulnerable women will inevitably turn to sex work, regardless of its legality.
The laws that criminalise any part of sex work as illustrated in this book push more women into poverty and death. You can't protect sex workers by making their existence a crime.
The laws that criminalise any part of sex work as illustrated in this book push more women into poverty and death. You can't protect sex workers by making their existence a crime.
frankiebird's review against another edition
5.0
No-one should call themselves a feminist without reading this book.
guaireachan's review against another edition
5.0
This book should be required reading for everyone from every subset of society.
Unapologetic, pragmatic and convincing.
Unapologetic, pragmatic and convincing.
inesparis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is a must read, incredibly well written and with so much knowledge in it that it should be a bedside table book for everyone who call themselves a feminist.
losthitsu's review against another edition
5.0
This is what books on social issues for the wider public should ideally be like - written by people actually affected by the various policies, with a concise, central argument that looks with a matter-of-fact lens at all sides of the coin, and that remains respectful without resorting to moralising sentiment.