A vitally important book with myriad and fascinating stories of how women have challenged patriarchy. "The contributors to Not Dead Yet have created nA vitally important book with myriad and fascinating stories of how women have challenged patriarchy. "The contributors to Not Dead Yet have created new analyses with new language and new kinds of organisations always aware of the ways in which they system is stacked against us, particularly against radical feminists. But we persist. We share the revolutionary zest we have carried with us over many decades. There is history, there is subversion and there are more extraordinary acts of courage."...more
An excellent book outlining the work, ideas, theories of women over 3 centuries - work that has been silenced and forgotten, and had to be reinvented.An excellent book outlining the work, ideas, theories of women over 3 centuries - work that has been silenced and forgotten, and had to be reinvented. Very powerful and so necessary for women's freedom from patriarchy...more
A very moving and emotional book. Interestingly set in Istanbul, about people who live on the outside, who do not fit the norms of society, through chA very moving and emotional book. Interestingly set in Istanbul, about people who live on the outside, who do not fit the norms of society, through choice, but mostly because they do not fit into a normalised world and are shunned for their difference. The author's choice to use the last 10 minutes and 38 seconds of Leila's life to tell the story of her life was an inspirational touch. While Leila and her 5 friends are victimised in so many ways, this is a story of resilience, and of friendships. Highly recommended....more
As usual Louise Erdrich writes eloquently with wit and humour, and yet at the heart of this novel is a story of loss and grief - and anger at the dispAs usual Louise Erdrich writes eloquently with wit and humour, and yet at the heart of this novel is a story of loss and grief - and anger at the dispossession of the Ojibwe Native Americans. Whilst it begins with a story of revenge it turns into a story full of poetry, connecting to culture and home....more
What a beautifully written book - about Shakespeare's wife - Agnes/Anne. She is the centre of the story, her gifts as a healer and her connection to nWhat a beautifully written book - about Shakespeare's wife - Agnes/Anne. She is the centre of the story, her gifts as a healer and her connection to nature and other worlds. It is a story of her love for Shakespeare and a recognition of his need to write and produce plays, a world that she is not a part of. But grief, the death of Hamnet/Hamlet, their son becomes central to the story - the devastation, the loss - portrayed so deeply - one which creates a schism in their relationship. Her response is to retreat to her garden, her herbs and her healing. His is to write Hamlet, and once she sees the play and recognises this is his attempt to resurrect their son. Compelling and beautiful....more
"independent, strong and in control of their lives" this is how the author describes the fishwives of Scotland - and this is what made them targets fo"independent, strong and in control of their lives" this is how the author describes the fishwives of Scotland - and this is what made them targets for the accusation of witchcraft. Based on a true story, and with detailed descriptions of the torture that the women were subjected to, we are taken to that time, and gain a greater understanding of what went on. The author also honors the strength, courage and deep friendships - a solidarity - of the women, understandably a threat to the male establishment. Whilst she alludes to the profit gain from the killing of the witches - confiscation of all of their property, the author does not include the broader patriachal, capitalist social factors that were at work in the witchhunting era. Thousands of women, accused of witchcraft, were killed throughout Europe and over centuries - an understanding of this would have created greater depth to the story. A good story and I did enjoy linking back into my Scottish roots, particularly in her use of Scottish idioms....more
An excellent critique of the current trans-activist movement and its threat to not only the safety and well-being of women, but a threat to the human An excellent critique of the current trans-activist movement and its threat to not only the safety and well-being of women, but a threat to the human rights of women and children. The author explores the medical harms being done to children in the name of trans politics, and how this is being promoted by powerful, rich men to intrude on women's rights and been so influential in the political and legal system. She also addresses how the medical and pharmaceutical industry is benefited by this movement. Her analysis leads her to conclude that the transgender movement is in fact a men's rights movement, with the intent of invading not only women-only spaces, but as a silencing of women's voices and colonising and erasing our bodies, agency and autonomy. Highly recommended....more
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