Men Explain Things to Me
and Other Essays
and Other Essays
Author: Rebecca Solnit
Published by: Granta
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★1/2
Published by: Granta
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★1/2
Rebecca Solnit’s essay ‘Men Explain Things to Me’ inspired the term ‘mansplaining,’ and established her as one of the leading thinkers of our time.
From rape culture to marriage and the nuclear family, from French sex scandals to Virginia Woolf, these essays are a fierce and incisive exploration of the issues that a patriarchal culture will not necessarily acknowledge as ‘issues’ at all. With grace and energy, Solnit proves herself a vital and leading figure of the feminist movement and a radical, generous thinker.
From rape culture to marriage and the nuclear family, from French sex scandals to Virginia Woolf, these essays are a fierce and incisive exploration of the issues that a patriarchal culture will not necessarily acknowledge as ‘issues’ at all. With grace and energy, Solnit proves herself a vital and leading figure of the feminist movement and a radical, generous thinker.
My thoughts:
Rebecca Solnit’s Men Explain Things to Me is a powerful and provocative collection of seven essays that boldly confront issues of gender, power, and the silencing of women. With her signature clarity, dry wit, and incisive analysis, Solnit explores the many ways in which women's voices have been dismissed, ignored, or spoken over—and how these experiences continue to shape our world today.
The essays vary in tone and focus, from the now-famous title essay (which helped coin the term “mansplaining”) to thoughtful explorations of sexual violence, marriage equality, and the erasure of women from public discourse. What unites them all is Solnit’s ability to articulate difficult truths with precision and grace. Her writing is both accessible and intellectually rigorous, striking a rare balance between being readable and deeply thought-provoking.
Each essay sheds light on different facets of the feminist struggle, highlighting the progress that has been made while also pointing out just how far there is still to go. Some essays are disheartening, even disturbing, but all are deeply enlightening. Solnit’s insights linger long after the final page.
What struck me most was how much ground Solnit covers in so few pages. At just over 100 pages, this slim volume delivers a remarkable punch. It’s the kind of book that I found myself underlining, returning to, and thinking about long after I finished reading. Despite its brevity, it’s one of the most impactful feminist texts I’ve read in recent years. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in gender politics, social justice, or simply brilliant essay writing. A remarkable and essential read.
Overall reaction:
Rebecca Solnit’s Men Explain Things to Me is a powerful and provocative collection of seven essays that boldly confront issues of gender, power, and the silencing of women. With her signature clarity, dry wit, and incisive analysis, Solnit explores the many ways in which women's voices have been dismissed, ignored, or spoken over—and how these experiences continue to shape our world today.
The essays vary in tone and focus, from the now-famous title essay (which helped coin the term “mansplaining”) to thoughtful explorations of sexual violence, marriage equality, and the erasure of women from public discourse. What unites them all is Solnit’s ability to articulate difficult truths with precision and grace. Her writing is both accessible and intellectually rigorous, striking a rare balance between being readable and deeply thought-provoking.
Each essay sheds light on different facets of the feminist struggle, highlighting the progress that has been made while also pointing out just how far there is still to go. Some essays are disheartening, even disturbing, but all are deeply enlightening. Solnit’s insights linger long after the final page.
What struck me most was how much ground Solnit covers in so few pages. At just over 100 pages, this slim volume delivers a remarkable punch. It’s the kind of book that I found myself underlining, returning to, and thinking about long after I finished reading. Despite its brevity, it’s one of the most impactful feminist texts I’ve read in recent years. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in gender politics, social justice, or simply brilliant essay writing. A remarkable and essential read.
Overall reaction:
