A review by claire60
Rebel Writers: The Accidental Feminists: Shelagh Delaney - Edna O'Brien - Lynne Reid-Banks - Charlotte Bingham - Nell Dunn - Virginia Ironside - Marga by Celia Brayfield

3.0

Part biography, part literary criticism this is an exploration of the life and career of 7 key women who were writing in the 50's, 60's and 70's. I didn't always agree with the author's assertion that these writers started second wave feminism, nor that they were accidental feminists. I think these writers knew exactly what they wanted to achieve and were determined to have their place as writers in the world and refused to be held back or pigeon-holed because of their gender. It was interesting to find out more about that and the depressingly patronising way that women were treated not that long ago. These women deserve the extra focus shown here, I would also have welcomed more diverse inclusion in terms of sexuality and ethnicity. Nonetheless this is a book that shows how far we have come but also how far we still have to go, sigh.

With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.