The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
Genre: fiction
Review: There are two aspects of feminism, says Faith Frank, the elder stateswoman of feminism in Meg Wolitzer's new book. The first concerns individualism, the idea that each woman gets to choose the shape of her own life. The second she calls "sisterhood" and centers around the idea that individual feminism can't take place unless women act together for advancement. Similar disquisitions on feminism occur throughout the book, as the characters give speeches, have conversations, and generally try to figure out what feminism even means these days. After all, as one character says, "I assumed there would always be a little progress and then a little slipping, you know? And then a little more progress. But instead the whole idea of progress was taken away, and who knew that could happen, right?" Although the current political environment is never explicitly discussed, it's clear that by the end of the book the real world and fiction have collided.
This book is much more than a feminist screed, though many gems on the subject can be found within its pages. We are also given several deep and complex characters and their relationships, through which Wolitzer explores themes of self-discovery, betrayal, and idealism.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for this review.
