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The Second Sex
(Le deuxième sexe #1-2)
by
Newly translated and unabridged in English for the first time, Simone de Beauvoir’s masterwork is a powerful analysis of the Western notion of “woman,” and a groundbreaking exploration of inequality and otherness. This long-awaited new edition reinstates significant portions of the original French text that were cut in the first English translation. Vital and groundbreaki
...more
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Paperback, 746 pages
Published
December 17th 1989
by Vintage
(first published 1949)
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Liz
For goodness sake, read the whole book! The chapters are cohesive and not intended as separate items.
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Le Deuxième Sexe = The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir
The Second Sex is a 1949 book by the French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir, in which the author discusses the treatment of women throughout history.
Beauvoir researched and wrote the book in about 14 months when she was 38 years old. She published it in two volumes, Facts and Myths and Lived Experience. Some chapters first appeared in Les Temps moderns. One of Beauvoir's best-known books, The Second Sex is often regarded as a major work of ...more
The Second Sex is a 1949 book by the French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir, in which the author discusses the treatment of women throughout history.
Beauvoir researched and wrote the book in about 14 months when she was 38 years old. She published it in two volumes, Facts and Myths and Lived Experience. Some chapters first appeared in Les Temps moderns. One of Beauvoir's best-known books, The Second Sex is often regarded as a major work of ...more

Aug 12, 2013
Dolors
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Those who want the full picture
Recommended to Dolors by:
Aubrey
Shelves:
read-in-2014,
best-ever
Reading De Beauvoir’s seminal “feminist manifesto” has allowed me to compose my genealogical tree, for The Second Sex is a book about my mother and the mother of my mother and the mother of my grandmother and of all my female ancestors in endless regressive progression who rebelled before obeying and who ended up capitulating like slaves shackled to the indomitable future of preordained inferiority.
“Thus humanity is male and man defines woman not in herself but as relative to him; she is not re ...more
“Thus humanity is male and man defines woman not in herself but as relative to him; she is not re ...more

The fact that we are human beings is infinitely more important than all the peculiarities that distinguish human beings from one another; it is never the given that confers superiorities: ‘virtue’, as the ancients called it, is defined on the level of ‘that which depends on us’.My life has led me to develop a love for thought, a love heavily dependent on the context of reality and my personal view of such, a love that has been, is, and will continue to grow through heavy doses of words both ...more

To seem, rather than to see, to appear, rather than to be: this, in a nutshell, has been woman's existential project thus far, according to de Beauvoir. Woman's historic destiny has prohibited her from developing into a self, understood as an autonomous ontic unit and agent. Instead, hers has been a merely instrumental existence defined entirely by her social roles. Never a maker of meaning, her success in life was defined to the extent that she was a suitable canvas for receiving others' meanin
...more

Foundational and packed with insight, so much so that much of the work's worth checking out, even if parts now read as dated. In dense, dizzying prose the first volume critiques psychoanalysis and Marxism, overviews the history of women in Western civ, and unpacks the assumptions behind sexist cultural myths; the second walks through the major stages of human life and considers how they differ for men and women, implicitly focusing on the experiences of middle-class white Europeans. The first is
...more

The part of this book that has affected me the most in the ten years since I've read it is most certainly the introduction, where de Beauvoir says that in order to define herself to herself she must start with, "I am a woman". This surprised her then as it surprises me now when I realize that that is how I must start, too. Although I grew up in a post-feminist "you can have it all" type of environment, it was eye-opening and disconcerting to learn that women are considered "the other" as opposed
...more

Jul 15, 2016
El
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to El by:
The F-Word
As a feminist, it's been recommended to me for years that I read Simone de Beauvoir's 1949 book, The Second Sex. As a regular person, though, I have always felt like it "wasn't the right time" to read it.
What does that even mean?
As someone living as "the second sex" myself, there is no excuse for this. I was lazy, bottom line. It's a big book, and while big books do not normally frighten me, I was worried I wouldn't be smart enough for Simone de Beauvoir. She was, from what I understand, a highl ...more
What does that even mean?
As someone living as "the second sex" myself, there is no excuse for this. I was lazy, bottom line. It's a big book, and while big books do not normally frighten me, I was worried I wouldn't be smart enough for Simone de Beauvoir. She was, from what I understand, a highl ...more

Knocked Up
Preggers
Up the Spout
A Bun in the Oven
* * *
The word “pregnant” is pregnant with connotation. And for women—often viewed in more bodily terms than men—nothing foregrounds a woman's body more than pregnancy. It’s interesting to consider what Simone de Beauvoir, dubbed the "mother" of modern feminism, thought about motherhood itself. Given what she writes in The Second Sex, Beauvoir would probably concur with my friend’s attitude…
...A number of years ago, a friend of mine spoke to ...more
Preggers
Up the Spout
A Bun in the Oven
* * *
The word “pregnant” is pregnant with connotation. And for women—often viewed in more bodily terms than men—nothing foregrounds a woman's body more than pregnancy. It’s interesting to consider what Simone de Beauvoir, dubbed the "mother" of modern feminism, thought about motherhood itself. Given what she writes in The Second Sex, Beauvoir would probably concur with my friend’s attitude…
...A number of years ago, a friend of mine spoke to ...more

it seems it has taken me almost a year to finish this book. in my defense it's 701 pages.
for as long as i can remember, since first i heard her name and after when i knew that there is a book called the second sex written by a French woman (and i admire the french), i have wanted to read it.
the years passed by, i was playing with the idea of learning as much french as i can to read it in the original but alas, so little time, so many books to read. and i also have a fetish for books in paper and ...more
for as long as i can remember, since first i heard her name and after when i knew that there is a book called the second sex written by a French woman (and i admire the french), i have wanted to read it.
the years passed by, i was playing with the idea of learning as much french as i can to read it in the original but alas, so little time, so many books to read. and i also have a fetish for books in paper and ...more

700 pages of magical reality. Beauvoir is one of those handful writers, worth a name. Simone's narrative quality is so much powerful, I've never experienced before. A must read for third world.
I will be revisiting this book very soon. ...more
I will be revisiting this book very soon. ...more

This unfortunately was the short version of Simone de Beauvoir's 'The Second Sex' as I made a mistake when ordering (because of the price), so this is only extracts from the full version which hopefully will read at another time. As a passionate supporter of feminism, equality and sexual liberation for women this was an interesting and for it's time controversial take on feminist philosophy and would suit anyone who doesn't have the time on their hands to read the longer edition, but I am a litt
...more

Feb 28, 2011
Ian "Marvin" Graye
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
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No Wonder Intrigue and Strife Abound
"A Man never begins by representing himself as an individual of a certain sex; it goes without saying that he is a Man."
Man represents himself as both the positive and the neutral. He represents Woman as the negative. Man represents himself as objective. He represents Woman as subjective.
Ironically, Man is the Subject, but objective; Woman is the Object, but subjective.
Aristotle defines a Woman in terms of a certain lack of qualities and therefore as de ...more
"A Man never begins by representing himself as an individual of a certain sex; it goes without saying that he is a Man."
Man represents himself as both the positive and the neutral. He represents Woman as the negative. Man represents himself as objective. He represents Woman as subjective.
Ironically, Man is the Subject, but objective; Woman is the Object, but subjective.
Aristotle defines a Woman in terms of a certain lack of qualities and therefore as de ...more

This extensive, scholarly study, written in 1946 by French existentialist novelist and feminist Simone de Beauvoir is a seminal text for 20th-century feminism. The lengthy study contains numerous chapters, beginning with the history of women in societies throughout the world. Beauvoir's first basic observation is that the world has always been dominated by men--hence, her title that names women as "the second sex" or "le deuxième sexe." Her premise that runs through the book is that there is no
...more

The Second Sex is one of those dense old feminist classics I was embarrassed not to have read. When I finally started it last month, it was almost impossible to put it down (though I did take a break in order to read William Vollmann's new magnum opus.) Simone de Beauvoir theorizes, hypothesizes, and generalizes about every phase of a woman's life, from infancy to old age, and the events marking each phase, such as menarche, sexual initiation, childbirth, and menopause. While Nick's review makes
...more

Apr 05, 2021
Théodore
added it
Personally, I believe that de Beauvoir has never felt the effect of injustices or gender inequalities.
I think, rather, that it all started when she realized that people considered her inferior to Sartre, her lover - just because she was a woman. I think she was surprised to see that her existence was reduced to an essential fact : " I'm a woman ".
" The Second Sex" - is not only a book about the role of women in history and society, but also about " otherness " - as an archetype and philosophic ...more
I think, rather, that it all started when she realized that people considered her inferior to Sartre, her lover - just because she was a woman. I think she was surprised to see that her existence was reduced to an essential fact : " I'm a woman ".
" The Second Sex" - is not only a book about the role of women in history and society, but also about " otherness " - as an archetype and philosophic ...more

Video Review
2020: Hopefully I won't be burnt at the stake for making an unfavourable review about this.
-----2017 Review------
This isn't light reading, and in retrospect, I wouldn't recommend you read it unless your university or lover forces you to do so.
This was a painful and frustrating read for me as reflected in the names I gave it I soldiered through it:
"Being second, sucks"
"Why Kurt Vonnegut hated the semi-colon"
"The most masochistic thing I ever did"
"Comprehensively diabolical"
"Two legs b ...more
2020: Hopefully I won't be burnt at the stake for making an unfavourable review about this.
-----2017 Review------
This isn't light reading, and in retrospect, I wouldn't recommend you read it unless your university or lover forces you to do so.
This was a painful and frustrating read for me as reflected in the names I gave it I soldiered through it:
"Being second, sucks"
"Why Kurt Vonnegut hated the semi-colon"
"The most masochistic thing I ever did"
"Comprehensively diabolical"
"Two legs b ...more

Most people consider The Second Sex to be the Feminist 'Bible'. While Beauvoir's text is certainly a seminal text in feminism — both in terms of feminist theory and the larger movement for emancipation — it has some of the same flaws as its theological counterpart(s).
Beauvoir starts her nearly-800-pages-long existential project for the woman's condition with a hugely impressive Introduction highlighting some of the principal arguments of the feminist movement and why it exists. Going forth, s ...more
Beauvoir starts her nearly-800-pages-long existential project for the woman's condition with a hugely impressive Introduction highlighting some of the principal arguments of the feminist movement and why it exists. Going forth, s ...more

The Second Sex examines gender as a social construct in society, especially how the position of women determines their oppression through setting woman as "other" in relation to man and masculine institutions. The book represents a classic manifesto of the liberated woman, its subversiveness has changed how we think of women.
This book explores wholeness of a woman's life. The first part is about facts and myths, exploring the woman through the point of view of biology, psychoanalysis and histori ...more
This book explores wholeness of a woman's life. The first part is about facts and myths, exploring the woman through the point of view of biology, psychoanalysis and histori ...more

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
Incredibly interesting and eye-opening essay that describes the oppression of women throughout the years. Beauvoir analyses the historical, biological and socio-economic conditions that have led females to become the second sex and tries to define a path for them to overcome that disadvantages and fulfill their destiny. One of the best passages was the chapter where Beauvoir depicted the circumstances that led woman to be left behind in art:
Men we ...more

May 24, 2013
Poet Gentleness
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
All women and men
Recommended to Poet Gentleness by:
EF Reims
Why I never manage to find the right edition of the book I'm reading on Goodreads baffles me.
Twice I've read Beauvoir in French. Mine is an old treasured edition, which I didn't find listed here. So, I set to read it again in English. It would be quite weird to write the review in English and quote Beauvoir in French...
Alors, on y va!
Twice I've read Beauvoir in French. Mine is an old treasured edition, which I didn't find listed here. So, I set to read it again in English. It would be quite weird to write the review in English and quote Beauvoir in French...
Alors, on y va!
Humanity is not an animal species, it is a historical reality. Human society is an antiphysis – in a sense it is against nature; it does not passively submit to...more

Mar 07, 2020
jade
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
you, if you are also desperately wanting to read all the Big Feminist Classics
Recommended to jade by:
me, in a desperate bid to read all the Big Feminist Classics
“one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.
no biological, psychic, or economic destiny defines the figure that the human female takes on in society; it is civilization as a whole that elaborates this intermediary product between the male and the eunuch that is called feminine.”
i know, i know. everybody and their mother (...) uses this quote when they talk about simone de beauvoir’s magnum opus: le dieuxième sexe, the bible of second wave feminism. the groundwork, the foundation, ...more

This was surprisingly old-fashioned. It was published in 1949 but it just seems so out-dated and often - dare I say it? - wrong and irrelevant.
de Beauvoir's mission is to define woman and find out why the male is the "default" or "normal" sex, while the female sex is the other, the one who deviates from the norm. She does this by looking at biology, psychoanalysis, the history of women from the stone ages to today (or well, 1949) in France, USA, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Scandinavia, the Middle East. ...more
de Beauvoir's mission is to define woman and find out why the male is the "default" or "normal" sex, while the female sex is the other, the one who deviates from the norm. She does this by looking at biology, psychoanalysis, the history of women from the stone ages to today (or well, 1949) in France, USA, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Scandinavia, the Middle East. ...more

Aug 06, 2012
Jill Collins
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorite-books
I read several criticisms that assert Simone de Beauvoir must hate women, or perhaps she simply hates being a woman. These reviewers are so close to insight but they do seem to miss the point.
Throughout The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir constantly reaffirms the state and condition of femininity is a direct result of woman's situation. Women are not victims of hormones or mysterious whims, they are victims of systematic oppression. Women are defined as other, they have no identity of their own, ...more
Throughout The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir constantly reaffirms the state and condition of femininity is a direct result of woman's situation. Women are not victims of hormones or mysterious whims, they are victims of systematic oppression. Women are defined as other, they have no identity of their own, ...more

It might be owing to our short-term memory loss as masses but humanity is generally a very thankless species. The negative criticism that feminism receives, especially from women, seem, to be the result of this ingratitude. If you don't think we are all thankless folks, then tell me who invented condoms?
Times are changing fast and things one generation fought so hard for could be taken for granted by the next one - and to this new generation, the struggles of the previous generation might seem ...more
Times are changing fast and things one generation fought so hard for could be taken for granted by the next one - and to this new generation, the struggles of the previous generation might seem ...more

I didn't read this book from cover to cover. See, I had to read this book because I was using feminism theory on my final thesis. But I do agree with Simone de Beauvoir's opinions that in many countries including Indonesia, women are positioned mostly as citizen number two who have less privileges than men do in so many aspects of life. What I dislike most is the double standards applied to women. It's not enough for a woman to be good at one aspect of her life, she has to be good in all aspects
...more

I began reading The Second Sex in August, 2008; I finished it in May, 2010. It is not a book one reads for pleasure, in the usual sense of the word. It is written in the style of a textbook, with Jean Paul Sartre's version of existentialism as the underlying philosophical base. Since de Beauvoir wrote it in the late 1940s, it is to some degree an historical document with a French middleclass viewpoint. When I began reading and experiencing the density of the prose, I attempted to read 50 pages ...more

Additional notes (upon having read more parts on September 14):
After reading the chapters on love and marriage, I had to come back here and upgrade the review from a 3 star to a 4 star, and I know I am not being generous here, because what reading those chapters did, at this particular point in time, was shift my entire way of thinking. In that respect, this book now represents a spiritual experience: an awakening of some sort. This is a reminder of the magic of books and to what people might re ...more
After reading the chapters on love and marriage, I had to come back here and upgrade the review from a 3 star to a 4 star, and I know I am not being generous here, because what reading those chapters did, at this particular point in time, was shift my entire way of thinking. In that respect, this book now represents a spiritual experience: an awakening of some sort. This is a reminder of the magic of books and to what people might re ...more

Jul 12, 2020
Luís
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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"The Second Sex", six decades after it first got published, still stands supreme for its highly comprehensive work in the field of gender. Simone de Beauvoir, though writing keeping in mind her French upbringing, it is surprising to see how much her work is globally relevant, even today's time. She does not limit herself to a particular viewpoint, but sincerely tries to dig into the? Why? Of things that are concerned here. Her work is holistic, ranging from perspectives from the field of biology
...more

How could the Cinderella myth not retain its validity? Everything still encourages the girl to expect fortune and happiness from a “Prince Charming” instead of attempting the difficult and uncertain conquest alone.
I am not a true woman.
Because the majority of man that are featured in this book (and the majority of man in history) describe a true woman as “…frivolous, infantile, irresponsible, the woman subjugated to man.”
Yeah, no.
The book is not only about feminism, is a long essay about wom ...more
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Why is there no women and feminist literature as a genre? | 2 | 16 | Jun 28, 2017 06:14AM | |
Made me feel humiliated and ashamed to be a woman. Anyone else have this response? | 5 | 189 | Apr 02, 2017 08:01PM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Merge authors and combine books | 2 | 12 | Mar 10, 2017 02:15PM | |
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Catching up on Cl...: The Second Sex -Buddy Read | 54 | 98 | Jan 26, 2017 06:43AM |
Simone de Beauvoir was a French author and philosopher. She wrote novels, monographs on philosophy, political and social issues, essays, biographies, and an autobiography. She is now best known for her metaphysical novels, including "She Came to Stay" and "The Mandarins", and for her 1949 treatise "The Second Sex", a detailed analysis of women's oppression and a foundational tract of contemporary
...more
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