Thursday, March 14, 2013

Sexy Feminism


Sexy Feminism by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong and Heather Wood Rudulph
3/5 stars
Mariner Books, 2013
212 pages
Adult Non-Fiction

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've considered myself a feminist for probably about ten years now, since I was a teenager and started learning what feminism could mean. That commitment has never wavered through years of attacks on feminism, women, etc. But I haven't read many of the classic feminist texts (bell hooks being someone I keep meaning to try but I keep getting sidetracked by all the fantastic YA fiction out there!) so I do keep an eye out for new texts that could become feminist classics.

Unfortunately I don't anticipate this being one of those works. It's written very simply and engaging but is ultimately very simplistic. My main reaction to everything was "...and? Your point is?"  There really wasn't much depth and I was expecting more. I wonder if this might be a better starter feminist text because nothing in here was new or challenging to me. I feel like I was encouraged to create my own life that works for me, which, um, I was already doing.

There were some great ideas in here but I didn't think they received enough attention. For example, political rights are largely skipped over but there is an entire chapter on bikini waxing (dull as dishwater to me). Sexy feminists are given a brief profile but not very many-I would have loved some more analysis of contemporary women who are making their mark on feminism through their actions in the public eye. In some ways, the book seems to be more about making the word "feminist" more palatable to people by making it not sound so crazy (what is crazy about valuing the life and contributions of approximately 50% of the world's population as much as that of the other 50% I ask?) and I am in favor of that but I wish this book had more of substance to offer.

12 comments:

  1. Ugh. Well maybe we should judge this one by it's cover? It looks like something Cosmo would publish on fashion, style, relationships, etc. rather than a serious or even lighter toned look at feminism.

    I haven't read any of the feminist classics and didn't really consider myself a feminist until college. Before that I thought there was some kind of divide between being a feminist and being a Christian but my professors and forwardthinking classmates showed me otherwise!

    BTW, did you catch the PBS special, Makers? Because of my work schedule, I only saw the last half but it was really interesting charting the Feminist movement and how things have changed and how the younger generations viewed it. I am ordering it for my library when it is released on DVD next month.

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    1. It does seem like the cover is a good match for its content, unfortunately. I've also worked at blending feminism and Christianity thanks to some amazing people I met in college.

      I did not catch the PBS special-I guess I should look for it at my library!

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  2. I got this on Netgalley but I have a feeling I won't like it.

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    1. I hope you do end up liking it-it didn't work for me but I still hope for others to like it.

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  3. This is one that I am not sure about. It sounds like it would be pretty good. I'll have to think about it. Great review. :)

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  4. Sorry this wasn't what you wanted it to be. I would def be bored with a whole chapter about waxing.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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    1. The waxing chapter was so dull! The authors do encourage the reader to skip around and read the most relevant chapters but I'm not sure it even needed to be focused on so much.

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  5. Aw, I would love to read a book that made feminism seem engaging and inspiring! Sorry it wasn't this book..

    Jen @ YA Romantics

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  6. Sorry it wasn't what you'd hoped it would be. I do know some people freak out at just the mention of feminism so maybe this one will help with that???

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    1. I would love for this book to do that-maybe it will speak to someone more than it did to me!

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