A very frank and open first-person account of the kinds of pressure the patriarchy puts on men and the damages this can do to them and others. If you heard and are irritated by the term "toxic masculinity", this is an absolute reading recommendation - because what the author talks about in this book is exactly what is meant by it.
I think this book can serve as an important first step in building a positive male identity, by first deconstructing the existing damaging one.
Review of "Women's Agency in the Dune Universe" on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
If you want a systematic, scientific discussion of the Dune series and/or an excellent example of a feminist critique of popular literature, this is the book for you. It makes an argument for a feminist reading of Dune using a very structured approach.
It chooses five major themes: Mind-Body Synergy, Reproduction and Motherhood, Voices, Education and Memory, and Sexuality. For each theme it then 1. explains the real-world discussion in the feminist movement during Herbert's lifetime, 2. interprets the text in that context, giving several examples of plot and characterization and 3. compares the series to the works of feminist Sci-Fi authors from the same era. It also does not shy away from pointing out and discussing parts of the text that complicate (and maybe even contradict) a feminist reading.
The target audience of this book is clearly scientifically minded, so it is probably not the easiest read for the …
If you want a systematic, scientific discussion of the Dune series and/or an excellent example of a feminist critique of popular literature, this is the book for you. It makes an argument for a feminist reading of Dune using a very structured approach.
It chooses five major themes: Mind-Body Synergy, Reproduction and Motherhood, Voices, Education and Memory, and Sexuality. For each theme it then 1. explains the real-world discussion in the feminist movement during Herbert's lifetime, 2. interprets the text in that context, giving several examples of plot and characterization and 3. compares the series to the works of feminist Sci-Fi authors from the same era. It also does not shy away from pointing out and discussing parts of the text that complicate (and maybe even contradict) a feminist reading.
The target audience of this book is clearly scientifically minded, so it is probably not the easiest read for the general public. But I found that this structure - and especially the context provided - makes it relatively easy to follow the argument and take away genuine insights, even without a firm background in women's studies (I'd call myself an interested hobbyist).
I obviously don't agree with every single argument the book makes, but by being balanced, reflected and critical in its reading of the text, it makes it easy to still respect the soundness of the argument. The author clearly did their research and is confident about their reading, while still being aware of its limitations.
Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? explores Fisher's concept of "capitalist realism," which he takes …
Review of 'Capitalist Realism' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A scathing indictment of capitalism, by (successfully) putting the blame for several contemporary social ilks on it.
My only criticism is that while it makes a strong case both for capitalist realism existing as an ideology and it being a problem, the book does not make the case for any alternatives. It does contain some actionable suggestions for how to fight capitalism. But it falls short of providing a systemic alternative. As such, while it successfully argues that capitalist realism is a problem, it doesn't fully prove that it's wrong.
Review of 'Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
For a book that was written almost 50 years ago, it has surprisingly progressive things to say about gender and masculinity. I would argue that even today, most men could learn a lot from the child protagonist of this book. From what I heard about it, I knew it would make me cry. But I didn't quite expect that I would love everything about it.
A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political …
Review of 'We Were Liars' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
If there is on thing I expect from Lockhart, it's absurdly interesting and usually tragic protagonists. And lord, does she deliver in this book. Read it and then read everything else by her.
