Review: Reading Women by Stephanie Staal
Title: Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed my Life
Author: Staal, Stephanie
Length: 266 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Women’s Studies
Publisher / Year: Public Affairs / 2011
Source: Sent to me for review by the publisher.
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: I commented on a review of this book by Lu back in December and the publisher contacted me offering a review copy afterwards. I couldn’t but jump at the chance especially with the Year of Feminist Classics project about to start!
Date Read: 21/02/11
Today the four Year of Feminist Classics hosts, Ana, Emily, Iris and I, are all reviewing this book. Do check out their reviews as well, and hop over to our Year of Feminist Classics round-up post for your chance to win one of five copies of the book. Thank you to Public Affairs for partnering with us for this project!
I am so glad I heard about this book and had the opportunity to read it, especially as part of the ongoing Feminist Classics project. It made me both want to expand our reading list and read all of the books immediately. It also made me wish I had taken a women’s studies course in university. Imagine, I’ve taken not a one women’s studies class, I feel I missed out big time! (Of course, I’ve also taken a huge zero literature courses.)
Staal grew up in a progressive family and went to Barnard College, taking a number of women’s studies courses as a part of her original degree, before pursuing a career in literature and journalism. She was always a believer in equality and that women didn’t have to choose anymore. After marrying and having a baby she starts having doubts and questioning herself on her life goals and wants. Staal decides to go back to Barnard and retake the feminist text classes in order to see how the texts stand up to rereading and to her life now that she is in a completely different place.
I really loved what Staal said about rereading on page 10 (quote from the uncorrected proof):
The act of rereading, as I have learned over the years, is an especially revealing one; in its capacity to conjure up our previous selves, rereading contains, I think, a hint of voodoo. … In coming back to the same book like this, again, over time, I not only see how my notions of love have changed but gain insight into why; I have uncovered clues to myself.
It is these clues to herself that Staal is in essence searching for after feeling so unmoored. The class is structured as a discussion between the teacher and twenty students on a variety of texts. The students formed a group of varying ages and also included one male student. I liked how both the teachers made it clear that it wasn’t about pushing their interpretation or brand of feminism on the students but about discussing the texts and that debates and differing opinions were welcome. While Staal obviously presents her own view of the texts which were discussed she doesn’t censure the other opinions but rather discusses them herself and debates with herself the merits of them.
Besides discussing the texts and how they relate to her life both then and now Staal discusses the feminist movement as a whole. She talks about the way that feminism has been positive for men, the way radical feminism is dismissed (mentioning on page 163 “When conservatives talk about radical feminists, they usually fail to acknowledge that these women were radical for a reason.”), and what it means to be a feminist and a mother. She talks about the divisions that have cropped up in the movement causing it to splinter and why and how this happened.
Biggest ‘aha’ moment for me was when Staal was discussing Carol Gilligan’s In A Different Voice (which, incidentally, I now really want to read!). She mentions a study that Gilligan conducted in which she says that she saw the word selfish pop up again and again. Funny enough this was a big aha moment for Staal too. She says on page 235:
How many times had I – like any number of adult women I knew – routinely characterized my desires as “selfish”? The recognition was stunning, really. Selfish was our go-to word, yet rarely, if ever, had I heard a man utter the same accusation of himself of his desires.
A few quotes I really liked on the nature of feminism:
The feminist story, she reminded me, is a counternarrative, a narrative of disobedience, a chronicle of battle, not of surrender. Women who do not fit the mold are too often maneuvered, manipulated, and mangled into some culturally safe archetype. (page 55)
Revisiting the texts of first-wave feminism, I had discovered – or perhaps remembered is the better word – that destiny can be a creative act. But the early feminists also showed me that creating one’s destiny is only the beginning; living with it, day in and day out, is quite another. (page 104)
Feminism gives us room to tell the unexpected story, and this, perhaps, is its greatest gift. (page 259)
Final thoughts: I really enjoyed this book as a look at one women’s discovery through the texts. Staal is clear that it is only her interpretation and ideas and that others will of course find different things in the book. To me this highlighted the best part of feminism and these texts which is how individual it can be and how it can still speak to so many of us in different situations. By coming together and listening to (and respecting) each others stories we can keep the momentum. Basically, read this book and join in on our Year of Feminist Classics project 
I really hated Gillian’s book when I read it as an undergraduate, but I appreciated the complexity Staal brought to her discussion of it. I still think that in some ways it’s actually an anti-feminist book, mainly for the ease with which it lends itself to being used as an argument for getting women “back in the kitchen” like in that awful Virginia Military court case :\ BUT Staal made me see another side to it, and I really appreciate that. That passage about “selfishness” is indeed excellent.
I haven’t read Gillian’s book but want to now just to be able to understand the arguments for and against Ana. Sounds like a lot to think about (either in a good or bad way!) in it.
I’m so glad all of you read this one, and it seems, you liked it!
Some of my favorite passages were ones in which Staal reminded us that feminism affects and is affected by men in positive ways all the time. I also really loved some of her passages on love itself. Staal has lots of insights and I her perspective is one I can appreciate. I hope to read more books like this. I love the combination memoir/non-fiction style that I seem to be reading more and more of.
Definitely liked it Lu! So many great passages you are right. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Wow I really want to read this book now … it sounds fascinating. Like you I took no woman’s study courses and only two literature courses all through college … so now I’m trying to educate myself. I’m loving the feminist classics project and this does seem like a perfect book to read along side it.
“Women who do not fit the mold are too often maneuvered, manipulated, and mangled into some culturally safe archetype.” –> is such a true statement and I think could be applied to society as a whole in fact.
Yes, definitely can be applied to society as a whole I think Dragonflyy419! I’m glad I’m not alone in the lack of women’s studies courses. In some ways I feel wholly unfit to be a host for the feminist classics project but it is a great way to read the books finally!
I just read Nymeth’s review of this one as well, and think it sounds fantastic. I also thought the quote that you included about being “selfish” was very interesting as well. I am always telling myself that I am too selfish, but have never heard a man say that in my life! Thanks for the very eye-opening review, Amy. I am going to have to try this one out.
Very eye-opening book in many ways zibilee, a lot of the quotes or things she says really hit me. I hope you enjoy it.
You should send a link to the Year of Feminist Classics to Dr. Jane McGrath (English) and Dr. Ann Braithwaite (Women’s/Gender Studies) at UPEI. I think they’d be very interested in the discussion, and may provide insights. I’m certain that Jane, in particular (because I’ve taken several of her classes) would be interested in this.
Hmmm good idea Tammie. I will see if I can do that.
this looks good Amy I love books about books and not knowing a lot about feminist books maybe this is a place to start ,all the best stu
Thanks Stu, might be a good start yes.
This looks fantastic!
It is Lydia
Sounds really good. Sterling review, as always.
Thank you bookish butch.
Great review! I’m surprised you have never taken a Women’s Studies course. It seems so…you.
I love the quote you mentioned about being “selfish”. It is a word women ascribe too often to their own desires. I know I struggle with it myself. This sounds like an excellent book for a book club – one that would foster an amazing discussion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
It does seem me doesn’t it Michelle. Apparently I didn’t know me well enough a few years ago
And ohhh yes definitely would be a great book club choice!
I’ve never taken a women’s studies or a lit course either! Pretty hilarious for both of us, actually.
I’m glad I’m not alone Emily!! It is rather odd though isn’t it? heh
Read it on Iris’s post too. Reading some nice books. I cannot say I am for feminism as I know the word and perceive it to be. I believe in Equality, that’s it. Well, this is a discussion for another time. Great challenge/adventure/fun. Hope you enjoy the remaining books too.
Third wave feminism is all about equality. I don’t identify as a feminist (even a liberal feminist though I agree with pretty much everything I’ve ever read of Naomi Wolf), and definitely think the word needs to be reclaimed, but there it is – feminism now identifies as the fight for equality among everybody and everything.
Feminist = someone who believes in equality Nana! So seems like you have it covered
This book looks so awesome. I too have never taken a women’s studies class, despite the fact that many of my fellow English majors did exactly that. And I have the exact same reaction to that ‘selfish’ quote. I don’t have kids (yet) but already I can tell the difference between what I’m perceived as my rights at work and what the guys think. It’s quite stunningly different. I’ll have to add this to the TBR stacks.
Great comment Meghan and so true – the perception is hugely different and so frustrating! I think you would enjoy the book for sure.
Have I mentioned how dangerous you are to my TBR pile? I think I have, but I swear every week you’re responsible for more books that I want to read!
Heh, you are dangerous to mine as well don’t worry Jill
I think I liked this book for lots of the reasons you did — it made me want to read the big feminist books, and made me appreciate what they might have to say for women of today. Good review, Amy!
Thanks Kim, so glad to hear that you enjoyed it as well!
I pretty well love the quote on rereading….I love what you guys are doing on the feminist project.
Thanks Geosi
Great review!
Thank you Care.
What a great tie-in with your feminist classics project!
I love the quote about the narrative of disobedience. About 5 years ago, my signature line for my email was “Obedient women seldom make history”. Ah, good times.
Love the signature line Niranjana