Difficult Women
A History of Feminism in 11 Fights (The Sunday Times Bestseller)
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:4th Mar '21
Should be back in stock very soon
The book Difficult Women reveals the untold stories of women who changed history by defying societal norms and expectations, offering a fresh perspective on feminism.
In Difficult Women, the author explores the lives of remarkable women who defied societal norms and expectations. These women, often labeled as 'difficult' or unruly, played pivotal roles in shaping history, yet their contributions have frequently been overlooked or downplayed. Through a blend of humor and insightful commentary, the book highlights the stories of these trailblazers, from strikers in saris to bomb-throwing suffragettes, showcasing their resilience and the impact they made in a world that often sought to silence them.
The narrative is not just a recounting of historical events; it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing one's true self, regardless of societal pressures. Difficult Women invites readers to reconsider the notion of 'well-behaved' and to celebrate those who challenged the status quo. With each chapter, readers are introduced to women who fought for their rights and the rights of others, often at great personal cost. Their stories are a testament to the strength and determination that can emerge when women refuse to conform.
Ultimately, Difficult Women is both an educational and empowering read, offering a refreshing antidote to the typical narratives surrounding women's history. It encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and the legacies they wish to leave behind, all while providing a compelling look at the complexities of being a woman in a world that often demands compliance.
Whoever said feminists lack a sense of humour has not read enough Lewis... A funny, sparky, wide-ranging account... Her book isn’t at all a conventional history. It’s a collection of powerful personal essays on the gnarly issues that women continue to face... I read Difficult Women with gratitude. It’s an authoritative benchmark of modern feminism, written by someone on top of her game... Hooray for a great book by a clever, clear-sighted, straight-talking, difficult young woman. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *
Difficult Women was a joy to read... I learned so many delicious facts about women whom I thought I knew. In fact, reading Difficult Women felt like sitting down with a friend and gossiping about other women in our circle... It has some howl-out-loud funny moments... Helen Lewis does more than just tell their stories – she allows them to be complicated, something that women are so rarely permitted to be. -- Jess Phillips * New Statesman *
Difficult Women is smart, thoughtful and rich in detail... Lewis proves an excellent storyteller who seamlessly blends scholarly inquiry and journalistic investigation with autobiographical titbits and flashes of caustic wit (her footnotes are a hoot). -- Fiona Sturges * Guardian *
A sparkling history of feminism in 11 fights… The book is full of Lewis’ short, sharp political observations…almost always as funny as they are informative… It proves her point; that we all have something to learn from each other, if we can open our minds to the true, complicated nature of humanity. -- Nell Frizzell * Daily Telegraph *
Difficult Women is full of vivid detail, jam-packed with research and fizzing with provocation. -- Christina Patterson * Sunday Times *
ISBN: 9781784709730
Dimensions: 197mm x 128mm x 22mm
Weight: 257g
368 pages