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A review by patchy_at_best
The Fictional Woman by Tara Moss
5.0
Using her wealth of experience as an international model, bestselling crime novelist, human right’s activist, and mother, Tara Moss equips readers to confront gender inequality in every aspect of society. Through immersive research and intimate wisdom, this dynamic duo will educate and empower.
I listened to The Fictional Woman and [b:Speaking Out: A 21st-Century Handbook for Women and Girls|28113709|Speaking Out A 21st-Century Handbook for Women and Girls|Tara Moss|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461771218s/28113709.jpg|48122564] as audio books, and now have a HUGE crush on Tara Moss’s voice. As a strong and confident speaker, her warmth and wisdom bursts through her rich tone. Hearing the author read her own work is intimate, and sometimes unearthed my own pain. Although I plan to buy all my female friends and family members these books for Christmas, I know I’ll be returning to the audio versions.
The Fictional Woman confronts the countless “fictions” that have kept the status quo well-fed for centuries. As a woman who has filled many different roles throughout her life – is it so hard to believe a girl can be a hot blonde AND a bestselling crime writer? – Moss combines personal memoir with in-depth research to discuss the socio-historical constructs of gender roles.
The aim is to open readers’ eyes to the burgeoning reality of gender inequality, and how this affects both men and women in every layer of society. Methodically, Moss explores key aspects of modern life that are impacted by sexism, including politics, film and publishing industries, domestic violence and sexual assault laws, representations found in folklore and fairytales, stay-at-home parenting and maternity leave, and childbirth and abortion laws.
While this book can be pretty damn heavy, the intimacy of Moss’s storytelling makes The Fictional Woman raw and moving. Several times during reading, I felt my heart rate accelerate to a dizzying speed – its no-holds-barred approach to issues that are routinely silenced and misrepresented means that the content is often confronting. However, I love knowing that my values as a feminist are now empowered by knowledge and shared wisdom.
I have so much respect and gratitude to Tara Moss for this intimate insight into her life to show the indisputably real effects of gender inequality. I empathise with her pain and find her confidence to fight discrimination truly inspiring. These books not only gave me a new role model for navigating life, but also the self-belief to speak up for my rights and values.
This review can also be found on my blogPaige's Pages.
I listened to The Fictional Woman and [b:Speaking Out: A 21st-Century Handbook for Women and Girls|28113709|Speaking Out A 21st-Century Handbook for Women and Girls|Tara Moss|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461771218s/28113709.jpg|48122564] as audio books, and now have a HUGE crush on Tara Moss’s voice. As a strong and confident speaker, her warmth and wisdom bursts through her rich tone. Hearing the author read her own work is intimate, and sometimes unearthed my own pain. Although I plan to buy all my female friends and family members these books for Christmas, I know I’ll be returning to the audio versions.
The Fictional Woman confronts the countless “fictions” that have kept the status quo well-fed for centuries. As a woman who has filled many different roles throughout her life – is it so hard to believe a girl can be a hot blonde AND a bestselling crime writer? – Moss combines personal memoir with in-depth research to discuss the socio-historical constructs of gender roles.
The aim is to open readers’ eyes to the burgeoning reality of gender inequality, and how this affects both men and women in every layer of society. Methodically, Moss explores key aspects of modern life that are impacted by sexism, including politics, film and publishing industries, domestic violence and sexual assault laws, representations found in folklore and fairytales, stay-at-home parenting and maternity leave, and childbirth and abortion laws.
While this book can be pretty damn heavy, the intimacy of Moss’s storytelling makes The Fictional Woman raw and moving. Several times during reading, I felt my heart rate accelerate to a dizzying speed – its no-holds-barred approach to issues that are routinely silenced and misrepresented means that the content is often confronting. However, I love knowing that my values as a feminist are now empowered by knowledge and shared wisdom.
I have so much respect and gratitude to Tara Moss for this intimate insight into her life to show the indisputably real effects of gender inequality. I empathise with her pain and find her confidence to fight discrimination truly inspiring. These books not only gave me a new role model for navigating life, but also the self-belief to speak up for my rights and values.
This review can also be found on my blog