3.5*

An interesting and thought provoking read. I can see why this book and Virginia Woolf in general became a feminist icon. I truly love some ideas and quotes presented in this book but I will admit that the stream of consciousness style essay format can be a little difficult to get into. I also don’t agree with some ideas presented towards the end of the book about other authors and books and this idea of everyone being man-womanly and woman-manly. I feel like every person is different and that the main reason each author is different is because they are a different person, sure sex and gender and other aspects may play a role but I refuse to categorise classic literature greats into whether they were too manly or too womanly. I also swear she admits to not reading the whole books of a lot of the books mentioned and that in itself reduces the impact of her arguments. I also disagree with her interpretation of the frequently mentioned Austen and Brontes and how one’s writing was better because you couldn’t interpret her inner hatred about gender and what not while the other you can. I feel like that in itself shows that she did not read all of the books she mentioned. However, I can’t be too annoyed though, I mean this was written in 1928, it is 2023 now, a lot has changed for everyone and the entire world in that time frame. I will say the Shakespeare’s sister argument is quite interesting and I do find some quotes towards the end of the book rather inspiring. I guess that’s why books like this are good, you learn something different but also can gain a different perspective, and see how you may have privileges a person a long time ago couldn’t even dream of and to remind yourself that you are capable of doing something with those privileges.