fatticusinch's review against another edition
1.0
What is up with white women constantly comparing misogyny with racism in some weird battle of 'who has it worse'?
sadiesargar's review against another edition
5.0
I appreciate Rebecca Solnit for a number of reasons, and one of the many things that I appreciate about this book is that it treats the goals of progressivism in general and feminism in particular the same way she treats history (both personal and otherwise), identity, and culture in her other books. For her, the unknown is just that — unknown — which means that it might well be good.
History, as she implies throughout Men Explain Things to Me, argues for precisely that: Women, LGBTQIA people, and minorities of all still subject to all manner of atrocities, but there have been vast improvements in society over the past couple of centuries, and it's therefore just as intellectually dishonest to assume the worst as it is to assume the best. She positions both "pessimism" and "optimism" as robbing us of our freedom to act (since they essentially breed complacency), and she calls that freedom "hope." That, to me, is as powerful a message as you're likely to hear in times like these, and, as with everything, it's as personal as it is political.
History, as she implies throughout Men Explain Things to Me, argues for precisely that: Women, LGBTQIA people, and minorities of all still subject to all manner of atrocities, but there have been vast improvements in society over the past couple of centuries, and it's therefore just as intellectually dishonest to assume the worst as it is to assume the best. She positions both "pessimism" and "optimism" as robbing us of our freedom to act (since they essentially breed complacency), and she calls that freedom "hope." That, to me, is as powerful a message as you're likely to hear in times like these, and, as with everything, it's as personal as it is political.
thefrdw's review against another edition
5.0
So much unexpected reassurance about uncertainty in this book and a reverence for the unknown. A collection of essays with a common thread that can stitch together so much.
ekacecilia's review against another edition
4.0
A quick read to fuel my outrage at the global patriarchy. The title essay is so relatable, a man actually tried to explain her own book to her and her self doubt was allowing this until a friend stepped in. Ayy... While somewhat out-dated now, there are good insights into global politics and systems here.
readwriterach's review against another edition
4.0
the facts reported in this book make me so angry and sad, but the intersectionality and exploration of hope towards the end was the light at the end of a dark tunnel. I love educating myself on the oppression of women, and this book definitely did so.
salome_mekas's review against another edition
5.0
Normalmente não costumo ler ensaios mas o título deste captou a minha atenção.
Apesar de muitos elementos referidos pela autora serem do conhecimento geral, o ponto de vista da faz-nos repensar esses mesmos elementos.
Por outro lado é ficamos com uma consciência de que voz da mulher ainda é em maior parte das vezes descreditada, mesmo nos países que chamamos desenvolvidos.
E que ainda hoje o feminismo faz muito sentido, mas o qual também tem que ser repensado.
Apesar de muitos elementos referidos pela autora serem do conhecimento geral, o ponto de vista da faz-nos repensar esses mesmos elementos.
Por outro lado é ficamos com uma consciência de que voz da mulher ainda é em maior parte das vezes descreditada, mesmo nos países que chamamos desenvolvidos.
E que ainda hoje o feminismo faz muito sentido, mas o qual também tem que ser repensado.
thereaderinshades's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75