I felt like Gay was trying to say, look I’m an academic but I’m still cool. Although I've learned a lot from reading people’s blogs, a paperback perhaps isn’t the right medium for this type of writing.ģ- I wasn't challenged enough. I’m not even sure whether I can call the majority of them essays as they read like blog posts. This book was essentially a mixture of feminist essays, loosely-feminist essays, essays on observations of race, class and pop culture critique, and some memoir-style essays. I expected all the essays to be on feminism, an alternative and more uniting (for our diverse, pluralistic society) type of feminism.
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I'm probably the wrong audience for this book because, after all I don't watch reality TV or any of the television shows Gay critiques, I’m not interested in critiques of 50 Shades of Grey, Gone Girl or Twilight at all so it's not a surprise that I didn't enjoy those particular essays.Ģ- I think I was confused by the main thesis of this book. There are a few reasons why this book didn’t do it for me:ġ- This book is too heavy on pop culture, which isn't really for me. I was able to relate to the sentiment a lot of women have of wanting to steer clear of the feminist title because of its often negative connotations, and also because of not understanding what the theory was truly about. I liked the introduction in which Gay discusses what it means to be a "bad feminist", an imperfect woman in a world in which women are expected to strive for (unattainable) perfection at all times. Overall I'd have to say I was disappointed but this might have a lot to do with my high expectations and perhaps that I am not this book's intended audience. I liked the introduction in which Gay discusses what it means t 2.5 starsĮssays are one of my favourite literary genres and recently I've read some amazing essay collections that have introduced me to new ideas and new writing styles so perhaps I put overly high expectations on Roxane Gay's essay collection. When Twitter does what journalism cannot -Ģ.5 stars Essays are one of my favourite literary genres and recently I've read some amazing essay collections that have introduced me to new ideas and new writing styles so perhaps I put overly high expectations on Roxane Gay's essay collection. The solace of preparing fried foods and other quaint remembrances from 1960's Mississippi: thoughts that help. The trouble with prince charming, or he who trespassed against us. The illusion of safety / the safety of illusion -ĭear young ladies who love Chris Brown. The careless language of sexua l violence. Reaching for catharsis: getting fat right (or wrong) and Diana Spechler's Skinny. To scratch, claw, or grope clumsily or frantically. The portrait that emerges is not only one of an incredibly insightful woman continually growing to understand herself and our society, but also one of our culture.īad Feminist is a sharp, funny, and spot-on look at the ways in which the culture we consume becomes who we are, and an inspiring call-to-arms of all the ways we still need to do better. In these funny and insightful essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman (Sweet Valley High) of color (The Help) while also taking readers on a ride through culture of the last few years (Girls, Django in Chains) and commenting on the state of feminism today (abortion, Chris Brown). I once live-tweeted the September issue.” I read Vogue, and I’m not doing it ironically, though it might seem that way. If I have an accessory, it is probably pink. I used to say my favorite color was black to be cool, but it is pink-all shades of pink. I read Vogue, and I’ Alternate cover edition here.įrom Roxane Gay comes this collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism from one of the most-watched young cultural observers of her generation. From Roxane Gay comes this collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism from one of the most-watched young cultural observers of her generation.