Rating: ★★★★★
Links: Goodreads • Amazon
Publication Date: July 29, 2014
Source: Borrowed
What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name—by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun.
With humor and levity, here Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness. She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. Throughout, she draws extensively on her own experiences—in the U.S., in her native Nigeria, and abroad—offering an artfully nuanced explanation of why the gender divide is harmful for women and men, alike.
Argued in the same observant, witty and clever prose that has made Adichie a bestselling novelist, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman today—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.
First, I would implore you to read this book, because it’s less than fifty pages and will, in all likelihood, take you less than an hour to read.
Second, I would ask that you go into it with an open mind. I know, I know, feminism is a dirty word. It’s all man-haters and bra-burners. It’s what women who can’t find a man identify with, right? Set those thoughts aside for a second. I am a feminist, and I like to think that I’m relatively normal.
Now that you’re into the book, just sit back and enjoy the writing. It’s so accessible. So simple and moving. “We should all be feminists.” I’m sure if everyone read this book, we would be.
The Bibliophagist 