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A review by mrs_bonaventure
Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution by Laurie Penny
5.0
Reading this, at 43, a book written by a 27 year old, simultaneously depressed and inspired me. Her history begins in the Nineties, if that, so she has no personal references from the earnest Seventies or the more confident Eighties - just the Nineties when the backlash against feminism was gaining ground, and the early 2000s when lad culture was firmly established. So it feels to her as though those things I took for granted in the Eighties - decent educational progress for girls, being financially independent, carrying condoms - may as well never have happened.
However - like all of us, she's angry, and starry-eyed - always a great combination, with the energy of fireworks, and that's what's needed. I found myself agreeing with most of this book, particularly its emphasis on how feminism should help all of us, men and women (and if you've never realised that before then like, Duh..)
A big difference was that she grew up online and there's a lot here about privacy, surveillance, branding and power, but ultimately the internet means the oppressed can organise, and that's crucial.
I liked her voice and I want to hear more.
However - like all of us, she's angry, and starry-eyed - always a great combination, with the energy of fireworks, and that's what's needed. I found myself agreeing with most of this book, particularly its emphasis on how feminism should help all of us, men and women (and if you've never realised that before then like, Duh..)
A big difference was that she grew up online and there's a lot here about privacy, surveillance, branding and power, but ultimately the internet means the oppressed can organise, and that's crucial.
I liked her voice and I want to hear more.