Known Truths
Arc provided by Bloomsbury USA through Netgalley
TW's: Mentions of Rape and Cutting
Ironically enough, despite the fact of considering myself a fervent feminist, this is the first actual book I've read on the subject . Growing up in our society it is difficult not to be aware of all the obstacles and sexism that women are subjected to. So, it's not as if most of what is discussed here, is something earth shattering.
What is different for me _at least _ is seeing some of those things written on paper, and the connections that the author establishes with the neoliberal market.
One thing that one gets after reading this book, is that for the author, feminism is not gender exclusive. On the contrary. The author defends a very inclusive definition of feminism:
Feminism has never just been about liberating women from men. but about freeing every human being from the straitjacket of gender oppression.
The author lets it be perfectly clear that she doesn't hate men, lol, so for all you guys reading this, let it be known that you can read a feminist book and not feel as if you're the bad buy.
Ah, it's always hard to comment on someone's else writing. It is different when you're reading a fiction work. There's things bound to be analysed: the writing style, the narrative, the flow of the story, the stupidity of the characters...
When we get a non fiction book, it's the convictions and ideas of a very real person that are on the pages....
This mean I'll try not to put my foot on my mouth...
Things that I can say....you can feel the author's enthusiasm and passion for her calling. If it was up to her, the world would be a different place. Would everyone be happy with it, and in it?
Probably not. Some of us don't have the courage to colour outside the lines, and guidelines are needed.
Then, and this is me analysing something that I probably shouldn't, but the author talks a lot about lost boys.
Lately I have been reading quite a few books on the Peter Pan "myth", and I don't know, but I couldn't help feeling that the author feels a little like a Wendy to all this lost boys.
I couldn't help feeling as if the author romanticizes the boys of our world . Al least the nerds, the queers _as she puts it _ the misunderstood.
The girls of our world, who most see as fucked up, aren't in such a bad place, since we're used to being exploited, and used to put up with things, this means that the current world crises haven't affected us all that much.
Because we're more used to bad things than the good ones, unlike most boys.
Hmm.
She has a bold approach to life, and the roles we play in her...but at the same time, I can't help feeling that Laurie Penny's idea of a new society, is based in nothing more than an utopia.
She romanticizes the outcast and non conformity groups into something that one day will bring about the changes we need.
I would love to believe in that, but like she mentions in a previous chapter, even in this type of movements there's abuses and rapes.
Would we be better if there was to be a change in the powers that rules us?
Maybe in certain things...but after awhile all governments need money to govern, and talking change is all very well, but in the end someone needs to take charge of things.
Bottom line: I liked reading it, and while I was doing it I was interested in it, but as a day passed, I found myself finding the book even more utopia like, than I already did.
But maybe that's because I fit so neatly in my small box...
Buy "Unspeakable Things"
6
2
