In times like these

by Nellie L. McClung

"Believing that the woman's claim to a common humanity is not an unreasonable one, and that the successful issue of such claim rests primarily upon the sense of fair play which people have or have not according to how they were born, and therefore to men and women everywhere who love a fair deal, and are willing to give it to everyone, even women, this book is respectfully dedicated by the author."

From the Dedication.

Genres: History, Feminism, Nonfiction

129 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Nellie McClung, born Nellie Letitia Mooney (20 October 1873 – 1 September 1951), was a Canadian feminist, politician, and social activist. She was a part of the social and moral reform movements prevalent in Western Canada in the early 1900s. In 1927, McClung and four other women: Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby, who together came to be known as "The Famous Five" (also called "The Valiant Five")[citation needed], launched the "Persons Case," contending that women could be "qualified persons" eligible to sit in the Senate. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that current law did not recognize them as such. However, the case was won upon appeal to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council—the court of last resort for Canada at that time.
She published her first novel Sowing Seeds in Danny in 1908. A national bestseller, it was succeeded by short stories and articles in several Canadian and American magazines.

Reviews

[Nelleke Plouffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think most Canadians know about Nellie McClung. Reading this book makes you feel like you know her personally. I love the passion for justice she had. I’m not a feminist, but I probably would have been in her day, and I find myself very grateful for her work.

[Nanrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nellie McClung is my new hero. What a badass, intelligent, and funny lady.
Easy to read and impossible not to relate to.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 4.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

I read the collection of essays that was released for Canada's 150 anniversary. While the font size could have been a tiny bit bigger and I wish there were more essays, I really loved this book. I have not read much by McClung, and only know her from classes - usually just a paragraph in a text book. From this collection, I find her fascinating and am looking forward to more of her writing. This book may have speaking about the 1920s, but I feel like that this just as relevant today. Highly recommend this one!

[Gregory Klages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another too frequently overlooked text by a Canadian feminist.

McClung's acerbic wit still shines, over a century after writing. She makes a compelling case for many social and policy changes which, in many regards, have come to be. Some of her beliefs and claims are, admittedly, outdated (e.g., her insistence that all women desire to have children, and her strident hatred of trade in alcohol). Nonetheless, this brief text is a great example early 20th-century feminist writing, and in comparison to other international texts of this genre, compellingly draws on McClung's experience of rural western Canada.

[Sherry Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

McClung is very witty, and some of her reflections on the times still ring true.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to read how some of her writings still apply today.

[Alyssapolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nellie was quite the wit. Lots of sharp humour in this. Overall it was sometimes dull and dry but also quite enjoyable and interesting. Some outdated opinions, but to be expected from a time where public opinion was for women not to deserve the vote.