She was a fascinating person, incredibly astute and aware of women struggles. In the late 1970s, in New york City, Kate was a friend, although for a short period because I moved away and lost contact. Intellectually challenging, particularly as a man, but very rewarding if one is dedicated to remaining teachable. Highly recommended, but not a pleasure read. It can be depressing to discover what has not changed in the 50 years since the book was first published, but it also makes clear what is still on the agenda. However, it is seminal work, if you’ll excuse the term, and I believe it is something with which anyone dedicated to feminism should be familiar. The book was written in and in the sensibilities of the mid seventies, so, readers too young to be familiar with that era, will miss the connections, the nuanced points of view, the author is trying to make. In those places where I was unfamiliar with the work, I simply had to accept her interpretation, which I am always hesitant to do. It’s intense in that it assumes that you are as well read as the author in the works she reviews, some I knew well, some I did not read but was familiar enough with the work, some were works I would like to read someday and others, like Norman Mailer, I have no desire whatsoever to read. Basically an academic critique of culture, but primarily of literature, from a feminist perspective.
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