Tag Archives: Feminism

Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1. by Kurt Sutter, Courtney Alameda & Heonjin Kim

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1
Author: Kurt Sutter, Courtney Alameda & Heonjin Kim
Series: Sisters of Sorrow #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Feminism, Graphic novels
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Graphic novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1 is a seriously dark and twisty graphic novel. I mean, it starts with a domestic violence homicide and then just… spirals from there. And honestly, this is exactly how I seem to like my graphic novels. Dark, twisty and filled with a surprising amount of violence. It also left me thinking. A lot. After I turned the final page. And I think that that too is the mark of a good graphic novel for my shelves.

At its core, Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1 is all about women who are filled with feminist rage. Honestly, there’s a reason why I liked it so much – these are women who are 1000% done with the system and the lack of protection that it offers. It is about a group of women who have been so brutalised that they have zero fucks left to give. And, honestly, I was right there beside them. The feminist rage that screamed and yelled in the pages, I felt that down to my very soul.

Even though I loved how this feminist rage was displayed, it did make me kind of sad to read this. Because I feel like it is such an accurate reflection of the world as we know it at the moment. I wish that this felt like a fantasy. But honestly, the older I get, the more society seems to be moving into a direction that protects the aggressors. And, as much as I enjoyed this, it made me sad to read this story. People senselessly losing their lives because of a system and social injustices that are rife in the world.

To match the incredible darkness of this story, the images and artwork in this graphic novel is gloriously dark. There is a little gore, and everything is done in dark tones. I can’t wait to read more in this story to see how this gorgeous artwork continues to tell this dark tale.

<- More Courtney AlamedaSisters of Sorrow Volume 2 ->

Image source: Head Hunters Holo Suite

Fast Girls by Elise Hooper

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team
Author: Elise Hooper
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Historical fiction, Sport
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I’m someone who likes to read a good biography or historical fiction as a bit of a nighttime read. I tend to find they’re not quite as fast paced and intense as my fantasy and romance books. Fast Girls was supposed to be one such read. It didn’t end up being like that at all. Fast Girls was absolutely impossible to put down and filled my brain with so much amazing information that I honestly couldn’t sleep after reading it. The three stories of Betty Robinson, Louise Stokes and Helen Stephens were riveting and emotionally entangling. I love that they were based in reality, and it wasn’t just the stars that Hooper chose to focus on, but the other members of the Olympics team. Those that are sometimes just as talented, but get overlooked.

The fact that Hooper used two well-known women, Betty Robinson and Helen Stephens, but also a lesser known Olympian, Louise Stokes to tell this tale was a brilliant, and, admittedly, surprising move. It’s a great reminder of the strength of women and some of the different hurdles we’ve had to overcome in the past. I love that it honours the women who have come before and how important their multitude of contributions are. Not just those that are loud, proud, front and centre. But also the people who continued fighting and maybe never got any kind of acknowledgement whilst they were alive. It was definitely an interesting, but also very humbling read and thing to think about.

I’m passionate about my two chosen sports and have definitely got more dedication than some to do well in those fields. However, the dedication and passion that top athletes show is a bit of a different story. I love how well Hooper talks about this commitment. How it is almost a part of breathing to be running for these girls. Particularly in the 1930’s when they had even greater challenges to overcome than I do today. I can’t imagine that level of commitment and pure love – I get close with some things, but not like this. I love that Hooper spends a lot of this story emphasising that it’s not just the natural talent that got these three women to the top of their field. It was also their passion, commitment and pure stubbornness.

After reading Fast Girls, I not only want to discover more about Betty Robinson, Helen Stephens and Louise Stokes (although my understanding is that there is a whole lot less information about Louise out there). I also want to discover more about the “Nazi Olympics” of 1936. I’m also absolutely fascinated by the life and trials of Stella Walsh, who, whilst she didn’t feature in this story, has an interesting journey all of her own. I can’t imagine the social and political pressures surrounding the 1936 Olympics, and for this reason alone, I want to know so much more about it!!!

<- Angels of the PacificLearning to See ->

Image source: Elise Hooper

Daphne by Dawn Raffel

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for xo orpheus book cover

Title: Daphne
Author: Dawn Raffel
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Greek mythology, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Daphne was an enjoyable and fun short story. Rather than focusing on the original tale of Daphne, it focuses on what happened after. After her initial gratefulness to escaping Apollo’s unwanted affections, she begins to feel resentment. And I mean, why not? Not only is his attempt at assault and not understanding no the reason why she was turned into a tree, she was then completely forgotten.

I love how Raffel uses a number of different techniques to tell this story. You really get a feel for Daphen’s emotions and her resentment. It also consistently and constantly mocks the men within the Greek pantheon. Describing them as arthritic and impotent at a number of points. Which, I for one found hilarious. Especially when compared with the freedom being older affords Daphne and the other women.

This didn’t quite end the way I anticipated – rather than being a happy ever after with a young and beautiful heroine, it was one in which age is embraced. The freedom that comes with no longer having to conform to a certain standard of beauty and age. I, for one, can’t wait to get to this point in my life!

<- The Last Flight of DaedalusDemeter ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Wild Heart by Anne Bishop

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Wild Heart
Author: Anne Bishop
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

The Wild Heart was a lovely and different take on sleeping beauty. I really liked how it was structured and enjoyed the adventure that we got to go along. There was something about this short story that was a little bit darker and more twisted. Making it feel a little bit truer with a number of horrible betrayals throughout. I love the dark and twisty versions of fairy tales. But this one also had an extra benefit of female power and independence.

The ending to this story was one of bittersweet emotions. It was kind of sad, but yet had a sense of hope even as I turned that final page. The thorns may have been pulled down and the princess released. But, she then had a whole life to live away from the horrors that encompass her past. I love that even her slumber is caused by a betrayal, not some more innocent fairy just cursing her.

I loved that the Sleeping Beauty was the Gentle Heart and Wild Heart. They are two sides of the same coin, and this story is all about finding oneself and embracing that. But, it’s also about defending yourself and keeping the Wild Heart alive and well, even whilst the Gentle Heart is loving and kind to others.

<- Ivory BonesYou Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and Mine ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Kiss Kiss by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Kiss Kiss
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) & Redder Than Blood (Tanith Lee)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this Frog Prince retelling. It was kind of dark, a little bit twisted and definitely had a whole other approach than any other story of this sort that I’ve had the pleasure of reading before. Plus, I like dark, feminist twists to classic fairytales.

Even though this had some great feminist notes, but there wasn’t a good, happy ending. In fact, it was an incredibly tragic and annoying ending if I’m being honest. But also absolutely perfect.

This short story is a reminder that power corrupts. Even if you THINK a story is headed to a happy ending, the allure of power can be seriously consuming. A little heartbreaking in the end, but wonderful in its entirety.

<- Silver Birch, Blood MoonCarabosse ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Know My Name: The Survivor of the Stanford Sexual Assault Case Tells Her Story
Author: Chanel Miller
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Memoirs, True crime
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I knew that this was going to be one of the most emotional and confronting reads of my life. And I was completely right. But holy crap, this was amazing. I actually remember when this case went viral and Miller’s victim statement. It was a moment that made me (like many others) realise that we’re all fed up with this crap. But this review is about the book, not my soap box… so yes, holy crap, amazing book.

Know My Name made me cry multiple times throughout. And for so many reasons. To start with it’s just horrifying what Miller experienced throughout her whole ordeal. The legal system failed her again and again. As did so many other systems that are supposed to be there to assist, but instead retraumatised Miller again and again.

But then there’s the amazing love and support she received throughout the battle. Where at the beginning of the book I cried because of pain, then I started crying because of the beauty and hope that surrounds Miller. The amount of support she is surrounded by is phenomenal and reminds us in this shit storm that not everyone is a piece of crap. There is beautiful hope and light in even the darkest hours.

This is a terrible and tragic story, but there is a great sense of triumph and hope. I think this is a book that everyone needs to read. Something that can help people gain insight and understanding into a survivor’s journey. Into the toll that sexual assault takes on everyone, not just the victim. A phenomenal, life changing book that I want to read again. Just maybe not for a while yet, I need to emotionally recover.

<- The Beekeeper of SinjarRadium Girls ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Book Review, , ,
Overview
I am Malala, The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai | 9781780226583 | Booktopia

Title: I Am Malala
Author: Malala Yousafzai
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Feminism, Memoirs, Strong women
Dates read: 11th – 16th October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: But all this time the mufti was watching.

Synopsis

I come from a country that was created at midnight When I almost died it was just after midday. When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan. One girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday October 9 2012 when she was fifteen. She almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school and few expected her to survive. Instead. Malala’s miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel…

Thoughts

There are just some people in the world who seem to make me feel bad for the many, many things that I don’t do. It’s not necessarily a bad thing… just a, well… thing. That feeling of guilt that accompanies the reminder that there are some seriously bad arse, tough, amazing women out in the world. And Malala Yousafzai is most certainly one of them. That’s not to say that reading I Am Malala made me feel guilty or horrible, but it served as a reminder of the awesomeness of this young woman.

The journey that Malala takes is just phenomenal. And I can’t really describe that feeling of this is really awesome that you will get whilst reading this. Not just because of what Malala has accomplished, but also the family that she’s from and her love of her people and country. Every single word in this novel speaks of humility and love. And it makes this just… phenomenal. And one of those books that is impossible to forget.

I love that this book, even though it is about Malala’s journey, is really mostly about her family. Almost every sentence is about them. And, in particular, her father. It shows you that people who create great change don’t actually do this on their own… they have a family and people around them that help them accomplish everything and anything that they put their mind to. And for Malala, that driving factor is her father. And, considering the culture in which they both come from… that is somehow all that much more phenomenal.

This is one of those books that I think everyone needs to read. It is phenomenal and powerful. Unforgettable and a seriously intense and glorious journey. This is just one of those novels and lives that I will remember anytime I’m feeling negative, pessimistic or like a downright bore.

<- Falling LeavesAble ->

Image source: Booktopia

The Five by Hallie Rubenhold

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold - Penguin Books Australia

Title: The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Author: Hallie Rubenhold
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, History, Non-fiction, True crime
Dates read: 23rd April – 8th May 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Non-fictional text, Novel
Publisher: Black Swan
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: On 16 April she was dispatched like a human parcel to Renfrew Road Workhouse.

Synopsis

Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhamption, Sweden and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffee houses, lived on country estates, they breathed in ink-dust from printing presses and escaped people-traffickers.

What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888.

Their murderer was never identified, but the name created for him by the press has become more famous than any of these women.

IN THIS DEVASTATING NARRATIVE OF FIVE LIVES, HISTORIAN HALLIE RUBENHOLD FINALLY GIVES THESE WOMEN BACK THEIR STORIES.

Thoughts

This is a seriously intense, wonderful, powerful, amazing book. Like. Wow. I’ve recently become a little intrigued by Jack the Ripper, but, as with many others, I hadn’t really given huge amounts of thought to the women that he actually killed. Which I now feel kind of ashamed of. Because Rubenhold reminds us that these five women were, you know, people too. And should be remembered as such. Not for the way the died. Not for the way the media portrayed them. But for individuals in and of themselves. Women who loved, lost and experienced life. Women with families, husbands, children…

I tend not to read crime books before bed. It leads to some seriously whacked out and trippy dreams. Starting this, I figured that it would be okay to read before bedtime. After all, it’s about the women, not the murders. For starters, the introduction talks about Jack the Ripper a little more than I had wanted. And the last point made is that he didn’t kill prostitutes, he killed women while they were asleep. By themselves. I was a woman. By myself. About to go to sleep. Not exactly conducive to a restful nights’ sleep that.

Normally I like to pick up biographies because they’re not only informative, but they’re also incredibly easy to put down. That’s not the case with this novel. The first few chapters didn’t quite hook me, and I was completely able to put down the book whenever I needed to be productive. However, once I passed that point… I just couldn’t stop thinking about these five women. I couldn’t stop wondering about their lives, their loved ones. What they thought and experienced in their mysterious last moments… I just couldn’t stop thinking about it all!!! Which I think was the whole point of it… but still, not exactly my normal response for a biography…

I am still in awe of what I’ve read. I actually finished this book twenty-four hours before sitting down to write this review. And it took me so long to do so simply because there is an intense feeling that you get once you turn that final page. This intense feeling of not only wonder and amazement at what you just read, but also, for me at least, a sense of guilt. I’m fascinated by murders, but I have rarely seriously considered the Ripper women as individuals and women. Which is something I will endeavour to do more so of in the future. When I started this book, I couldn’t even remember the names of The Five. But now, I don’t think I’ll ever forget them…

<- The Covent Garden LadiesHarris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Red as Blood Collection by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for red as blood tanith lee book cover

Title: Red as Blood Collection
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings, Short story collections
Dates read: 23rd October – 17th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Wildside
Year: 1983
5th sentence, 74th page: There were carvings in the sides of the tower, the magic symbols from the chamber as it had been, the zodiac, the Crown, the Sword, the Chalice – she knew such seals must hold the spire safely.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Here are ten devilishly twisted fairy tales as the Brothers Grimm never dared to tell them. With her brilliantly macabre pen, Tanith Lee retells some familiar tales, and concocts some new and unusual ones, as she asks us to consider the possibility that things may not work as our fairy tales have them… In the title story, Lee shows us a perfectly good stepmother, whose Princess stepdaughter reeks of evil. Then there is Ashella, the Cinderella-like girl who, “When the Clock Strikes”, intends to give her Prince Charming a deadly surprise. In “Wolfland”, Lisel takes a trip through the woods to visit her grandmother – who bears little resemblance to the loving old woman we expect. And in “Thorns” you’ll find the haunting answer to the question, “What if awakening the Sleeping Beauty turns out to be the mistake of a lifetime – of several lifetimes, in fact?”

Populated with demons and devils, vengeful gods and not-so-innocent young girls, the ten tales of Red as Blood weave a tapestry of chilling visions, spun by the incomparably fiendish imagination of Tanith Lee!

Thoughts

This is the second feminist collection of fairy tales I’ve ever read. And I don’t know if I like this or Angela Carter’s version better. What I do know is that I love both of them and I will read them again and again. They’re fun, kind of brilliant and super dark. Much more likely in our lives than the pretty Disney-versions that I grew up with.

There wasn’t one story in this collection that I didn’t absolutely adore. Normally I’ll find one or two that just aren’t as good… but that most certainly wasn’t the case. This was brilliant! Honestly, as I turned the last page, I could have quite happily turned around and just started this all over again. I didn’t, because I have a whole stack of other books I want to read by the end of the year… but I don’t often have that desire in the first place.

Now I need to find some more Tanith Lee books. I have one other sitting in my shelf, but I want so much more now! There is no way that I won’t love it after this. Especially when you’re looking at a story which has a beautiful wordplay on the Brothers Grimm… equally dark versions, but with a focus on the women and the battles that they face.

 <- The Waters of Sorrow ReviewPaid Piper Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Mr. Speedy by Elda Minger

Book Review, ,
Overview
Fantasy

Title: Mr Speedy
Author: Elda Minger
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Feminism, Gender
Dates read: 21st September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m disappointed, but I have to respect your judgement.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

In a private, all-male school for seduction…
…she might just graduate with honors. If she can only maintain her disguise long enough to teach the man of her dreams a few lessons.

Thoughts

There are so many issues with gender and courting. There’s also so many things about it that are ridiculously fun. But those people that think women are just something to prey upon? Well, that’s where it gets seriously problematic… and this novella perfectly encompasses that. By featuring a backdrop of a seminar designed to get women into bed… in the worst way possible.

Miranda is a driven, independent and strong woman. Her slightly insane drive causes her to make a decision, one that I’m not entirely sure I would do myself. I might be driven, but I’m not sure I would want to immerse myself in a world of toxic masculinity, discussed as an incredibly effeminate man. Yet, this obviously works for her, because she manages to find the man of her dreams, get to know him, and find a bit of understanding about how truly insecure most of the attendants at the seminar truly are. It would probably help all of us to understand what sometimes seems incredibly confusing (actually, scratch that, I’m never going to understand the decisions my partner makes)…

I loved this novella, but I did spend the entire time thinking about the movie She’s the Man. There is something that seems to be recurring in this theme of cross-dressing to get what one desires. And then falling in love. Which is both annoyingly predictable, and so beautifully, dreamily fun. Actually, mostly it’s just fun. It’s hard enough to get to know the people that you’re interested in, but when there are extra boundaries… I can kind of understand going undercover as a man after all…

 <- Luisa’s Desire ReviewThe Awakening Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan