Review: Bad Feminist

By Rachel
Bad Feminist Book Cover

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay, published by Harper Perennial.

Read: January 2015
Genre: Non-Fiction/Feminism/Essays
Source: Purchased
#Pages: 320
Get It Now: Wordery

Add to Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis: A collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism from one of the most-watched young cultural observers of her generation, Roxane Gay. 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). 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.

Bad 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.

The Review

I decided in 2015 I wanted to expand my horizons, and dip my toe in the waters of non-fiction… When I was younger, “feminist” was a bad word, it was an insult, and it was something I shied away from. As I got older, and the feminist cause came to the fore once again, I began to realise that many of my beliefs, actions and opinions were aligned with feminism, and as my confidence grew as a young woman, I decided to embrace the label. It’s only now I’m beginning to read around the subject (so any other great recommendations are very welcome!), and now more than ever, I’m proud to call myself a feminist, even when I have to walk the tightrope between being active and vocal, and being “one of those women who thinks she’s as good as a man”. You’d be amazed at the jokes and jibes I’ve heard, and been on the receiving end of…

Where do I actually start with this book? Where do you begin to start with this topic? This is likely to be part book review and part word-vomit. I read this book in one day, basically in one sitting. It was compulsive reading and I just couldn’t put it down. While some of the essays struck a chord with me more than others, and while I found some more enjoyable to read than others, I saw merit in all of them and have a feeling I’ll be dipping into this book often in the future. Not only were these essays highly relatable, there were many times I found myself laughing out loud, and occasionally grimacing when it came to some of the more “difficult” parts – surprising statistics, ludicrous quotes from world-leaders, and harrowing real-life experiences.

I have come across individuals who are of the opinion that the glass-ceiling is no more – come back to me when we have more than 4% female CEOs in the Fortune 500, who argue that sexism isn’t a “thing” in the Western world – tell that to the females getting 20% less pay than their male counterparts, and who seem to think feminists are all man-hating, aggressive and overly opinionated women who refuse to shave their legs – I seriously think some people are missing the point.

This book was my introduction to feminism, officially. Sure, I’ve held certain beliefs and values, but I’ve never sought out books on the subject, partly afraid that I would stumble upon those man-hating, aggressive and overly-opinionated, non-shaving authors, who would make me question if the feminism movement is really for me. Luckily, in this case, I struck gold. Gay discusses feminism, as well as a whole host of other topics, openly, and from the point of view of a real person. A person with faults, and flaws, who makes mistakes and errors in judgement. Not from a high horse, or idealistic pedestal, that makes it impossible to live up to the “essential feminism” model (want to know what I’m talking about? Read the book!).

Quotables:

“It’s hard to be told to lighten up because if you lighten up any more, you’re going to float the fuck away.”

“When feminism falls short of our expectations, we decide the problem is with feminism rather than with the flawed people who act in the name of the movement.”

“I would rather be a bad feminist than no feminist at all.”

The Rating

4.5/5

Have you read Bad Feminism? Do you have any other great recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments! 

About Rachel

Avid reader & #bookblogger. Lover of all things business. A fan of drinks & dancing. Ever optimistic. Feminist.

26 Responses

  1. HOLLY

    I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz about this book on the internet lately, and I just might have to pick it up to see what all the hype is about. This topic really interests me (personally I think it should interest everyone to some degree, considering it impacts all of us) but I’ve never read a book that solely discusses this subject. Great review!

    Like

    1. Rachel

      Thanks, Holly! I definitely 100% recommend it!! It will be on the Christmas list this year to be gifted to some people I think would really benefit from it. I loved how it was such an “easy” read too – not in the sense of the writing itself, but in its style – it wasn’t pompous or over-bearing. Sometimes I feel with some texts the authors can talk down to you almost. This was just brilliant! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Rachel

      Urgh, I hope so too. I think having people like Emma Watson doing fab speeches for He for She, and encouraging people like myself to wear the label, not become the label, but to admit to believing in feminism, might help encourage others to do the same. I work in the Engineering industry, so I would say “we” (females in industry) face more prejudice than most. We have 80 staff, and until last year, we had 4 women and only 1 of those was a Manager in a team of 8 Managers. I was lucky to be made a Manager and with small baby-steps of encouragement, and a refusal to accept different treatment and standards, we now have 8 females, including another female Manager and a female Engineer. The difference in culture can already be seen, and it’s brilliant. I think you’ll really enjoy this one! R x

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Caught Read Handed

    I wasn’t sure if I wanted to check this one out, but I’m definitely going to add it to my TBR. This sounds like an honest, open book that fairly discusses these topics. Looking forward to it. Great review.

    Like

    1. Rachel

      What had you unsure??

      OMGOSH, it was so good. It’s highly rare for me to finish a book like this is one sitting, especially as it’s divided into individual essays, it’s not like I couldn’t have put it down at any time and come back to it, but I wanted to read it all, and then some. It was refreshingly honest, and… humble… I think that’s the word I’m looking for. I feel a lot of feminism texts that I’ve attempted have come across as self-righteous and “angry” – this was an educated woman sharing her experiences and opinions on feminism in a way that was highly relatable, she doesn’t just cover gender, she includes other issues like race and sexuality/sexual freedom, and I loved that because so often people think feminism is women vs. men, when really it’s equality for all. That, and I really enjoyed her humour. I just want to invite her round to mine for chips, dips and wine. It would be a fabulous evening!

      Thanks, Stef! 😀

      Like

      1. Caught Read Handed

        1. I don’t read as much non-fiction as I’d like and 2. like you said, a lot of the feminism texts I’ve read have been “self-righteous and ‘angry'”. But I’ll definitely have to check this one out.

        Like

  4. Lucy

    I loved this book so I was happy to see your review. It’s such a gripping read I couldn’t put it down. Hope we see more non-fiction books like this this year. Great review!

    Like

    1. Rachel

      It was just so brilliant! Have you read any others you would recommend? I’m hoping to read more non-fiction this year too, it can be very hit or miss for me, but when I get a good one, I love it! R x

      Like

Leave a comment, and start a conversation!