Gosh, I wanted to like this book. Any attempt to explore women’s inner lives, complex choices, and ability to carve out a space of their own in the woGosh, I wanted to like this book. Any attempt to explore women’s inner lives, complex choices, and ability to carve out a space of their own in the world is going to draw me in. But this book seems confused by what it wanted to be. While it’s billed as a memoir of sorts, it’s ultimately literary history. Unfortunately, none of the 5 women writers profiled here are that interesting. They are clearly meaningful to Bolick, but she doesn’t do the work to explain why we the readers should care. The memoir-ish elements of the book are more engaging, but honestly, not that much happens. There’s more than a whiff of privilege here that will be familiar to anyone who’s been in around upper-middle-class, young white women in NYC media circles. There was a surprising lack of self-reflection throughout. A great topic but not the right approach IMO....more
Impressive in its attention to detail as well as its narrative momentum, despite the fact that we know who the killers are from the beginning. I don'tImpressive in its attention to detail as well as its narrative momentum, despite the fact that we know who the killers are from the beginning. I don't know if Capote invented "literary journalism" but this is Exhibit A. ...more
I wrote the following endorsement for this important book:
"Individual bodies can't heal until they receive a diagnosis. Likewise, the body of Christ I wrote the following endorsement for this important book:
"Individual bodies can't heal until they receive a diagnosis. Likewise, the body of Christ can't heal until it learns what is making it sick. With bold storytelling and deep engagement with the biblical text, Ruth Everhart diagnoses the unchecked power, patriarchy, and shallow forms of forgiveness that plague many Christian communities grappling with abuse. She also points to the cure: a better, more biblical practice of justice for victims. May this book ensure that more victims' cries for justice are finally heard." ...more
Should be required reading for every undergraduate journalism class. Meticulously documented, clear, compelling, enraging ... timely and yet could be Should be required reading for every undergraduate journalism class. Meticulously documented, clear, compelling, enraging ... timely and yet could be read 50 years from now on how to follow a story to its grisly yet cathartic end....more
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