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Red Flower: Rethinking Menstruation
An integral part of every woman's life, menstruation has typically been characterized as a curse. Red Flower debunks the myths and prejudices surrounding this natural process through carefully documented research, cross-cultural perspectives, and much more. "At last there is this book! I didn't have it. I didn't have it for my daughters. But now there is a book I can give to my granddaughters. Rich with insight, information, affirmation, poetry--what a help, what a freeing, what a delight this book is!" Tillie Olsen "Red Flower comes out of woman's experience...Taylor translates pre-Second Wave research into feminist sense." Feminist Collections "The author's intent is to dispel the notion that menstruation should be kept hidden and is somehow shameful. She exhorts the reader to be aware of its powerful effect on all women." Journal of Nurse-Midwifery ".. A useful gift for young girls as well as a thoughtful work full of information for older women." Jeannine Parvati "This book will become a classic." The Doula ".. Informed commentary on the mythic, superstitious and scientific aspects of women's menstrual life. Who, then, should read Red Flower? Any female ranging from pre-menarche to post-menopausal ages. And any father, husband, brother or son. It should be required reading for both females and males in the public schools." Chiron Review
134 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 28, 2020
I did not want to write this review. I mean, this is a book about menstruation. Do I really want to review a book about menstruation? But then I realized that my own resistance to writing this review is the reason a book like this needs to exist. I shouldn’t be embarrassed to write this review. But I am. At least a little.
I bought this book not long after it was published in 1988. The store was East West Books in Greenwich Village ~ a place that could always be counted on to have books you couldn’t find anywhere else. I loved the New Age vibe. The incense, candles, and crystals. The Kitaro music playing in the background. But most of all, I loved to browse through the sandalwood-scented stacks.
At the time, I hadn’t yet become interested in Eastern philosophy, so I skipped the aisles devoted to meditation, chakras, and the I Ching, and spent my time among the Western offerings. I remember there was a women’s studies section with books like When God was a Woman and Gyn/Ecology. It was there I discovered Red Flower.
Most likely it was the pretty pink cover with the big red rose that convinced me to buy it. And I was glad I did. I would later go on to read two books frequently cited by Dena Taylor ~ The Curse and The Wise Wound ~ but Red Flower remained my favorite.
Rereading this book some twenty-five years later, I can see why it was my favorite. It’s full of memories, poems, stories, and even a few drawings. Taylor writes the more informational portions of her book in brief sections interspersed with anecdotes from her research survey.
For a more academic and thorough treatment of menstruation, the reader should look to The Curse and The Wise Wound. The historical, cultural, and medical aspects of menstruation are only lightly covered in Red Flower. But for the personal side of menstruation, for the lived experiences and emotions of women, Red Flower is just right.
Make no mistake. This book is a product of its time. It’s full of goddess spirituality. Taylor gives a suggestion for a menarche ritual that young women of the 21st century are sure to find corny. (It was corny in the 80s too.) But it’s still nice to read about and imagine.
The discussion of menstrual products is now more of historical than contemporary interest. Taylor writes about the innovations of the 60s and 70s and the health problems associated with these products. But while the products may have improved in the past thirty years, problems related to menstrual products continue to exist. Women around the world are still fighting against the discriminatory “tampon tax” that treats menstrual products like luxuries.
Taboos are not easily overcome. But books like Red Flower can make a difference by challenging the taboo against menstruation. Taylor honors women’s experiences and by doing so she empowers women. And when this taboo is finally put to rest once and for all, Red Flower will remain a beautiful collection of memories and poems that celebrate this long misunderstood facet of the female experience.
I bought this book not long after it was published in 1988. The store was East West Books in Greenwich Village ~ a place that could always be counted on to have books you couldn’t find anywhere else. I loved the New Age vibe. The incense, candles, and crystals. The Kitaro music playing in the background. But most of all, I loved to browse through the sandalwood-scented stacks.
At the time, I hadn’t yet become interested in Eastern philosophy, so I skipped the aisles devoted to meditation, chakras, and the I Ching, and spent my time among the Western offerings. I remember there was a women’s studies section with books like When God was a Woman and Gyn/Ecology. It was there I discovered Red Flower.
Most likely it was the pretty pink cover with the big red rose that convinced me to buy it. And I was glad I did. I would later go on to read two books frequently cited by Dena Taylor ~ The Curse and The Wise Wound ~ but Red Flower remained my favorite.
Rereading this book some twenty-five years later, I can see why it was my favorite. It’s full of memories, poems, stories, and even a few drawings. Taylor writes the more informational portions of her book in brief sections interspersed with anecdotes from her research survey.
For a more academic and thorough treatment of menstruation, the reader should look to The Curse and The Wise Wound. The historical, cultural, and medical aspects of menstruation are only lightly covered in Red Flower. But for the personal side of menstruation, for the lived experiences and emotions of women, Red Flower is just right.
Make no mistake. This book is a product of its time. It’s full of goddess spirituality. Taylor gives a suggestion for a menarche ritual that young women of the 21st century are sure to find corny. (It was corny in the 80s too.) But it’s still nice to read about and imagine.
The discussion of menstrual products is now more of historical than contemporary interest. Taylor writes about the innovations of the 60s and 70s and the health problems associated with these products. But while the products may have improved in the past thirty years, problems related to menstrual products continue to exist. Women around the world are still fighting against the discriminatory “tampon tax” that treats menstrual products like luxuries.
Taboos are not easily overcome. But books like Red Flower can make a difference by challenging the taboo against menstruation. Taylor honors women’s experiences and by doing so she empowers women. And when this taboo is finally put to rest once and for all, Red Flower will remain a beautiful collection of memories and poems that celebrate this long misunderstood facet of the female experience.
August 4, 2018
A nice book that made me feel more kinship with other women. But there is too much talk about rituals. I would prefer a more scientific sobering book describing facts with less personal judgments and cultural beliefs. Someone unassuming could pick up a lot of crap beliefs from this. Wouldn't give it to a teenager.
By the way, I'm a menstrual cup user and my relationship with my menstruation has become much better since I started using it. Just wanted to share this little fact since it touches the topic.
By the way, I'm a menstrual cup user and my relationship with my menstruation has become much better since I started using it. Just wanted to share this little fact since it touches the topic.
November 23, 2015
Kind of made me want to quit my pills and start bleeding again.
October 28, 2012
Stories, poems, cartoons, etc. Enjoyable.
October 24, 2016
An indispensable book for all women. It helped me become aware of the abundant spiritual energy during that time of the month. I just wish that this book had more history and information.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews