Women talking
Three books in which women talk about different aspects of being women
Whew, it has been a metric ton of minutes!
But, good news, I made a big career move in a direction that will free up some book reading and bonkers newsletter writing time! And in the weeks leading up to that move, I’ve been thinking about this particular topic a whole lot.
So this woman is about to talk to you about some books involving women talking—and thinking and feeling and winning and losing the ongoing fight. Women and non-women, dare to consider reading these! There are too many that won’t.
Guess what! There’s an archive spreadsheet to see all my recommendations from this year in one handy spot! If you’re a subscriber, click this link to get it!
🐴 Women Talking
Miriam Toews, 2018
“Wait just one second! Is this not an Oscar-winning film starring Rooney Mara and Claire Foy?” you cry. “And if I have seen this movie, must I read the book?”
It is, and you must! I saw and enjoyed this excellent film, but as always, the book has a lot more to it. For those who are unfamiliar, the premise is downright horrifying (and based on true events—barf). Here are the broad strokes: in a Mennonite colony, nearly every female of every age has been assaulted in their bed, multiple times, while rendered unconscious via animal tranquilizer gas. After they figured out what was happening and who the culprits were, those men were arrested. The book’s action encompasses the women are sitting in a barn, deciding what to do about it.
These women have never been allowed—and many have never even considered the possibility—to think for themselves. I have never been a fan of books or films where people sit around and philosophize, but their journey toward self-actualization is truly gripping.
Recommended for: Those who need a shot of eye-opening, heart-pounding bravery.
🎢 Breasts and Eggs
Mieko Kawakami, 2019
Another Japanese novel recommendation from me, as I can’t seem to get enough these days. This one is pretty gutting—it’s actually two novels, one short, one much longer, both in the same universe with the same protagonist. If you’re thinking, “Is the title a sort of ‘What, is this what women are reduced to in the eyes of the world?’” you’re on the right track.
The first part is about a the protagonist’s sister’s absolute obsession with getting breast implants despite a lack of funds and some other factors that make it seem a little silly, though, one might ask, what is silly? Maybe it’s never silly? Or maybe it always is? Or maybe it’s none of our business?
And the second is about the protagonist’s quest to become artificially inseminated even though this is not something a single woman can easily do in Japan. Good lord, the number of questions this book makes you think through—it’s really amazing.
Recommended for: Those who are not women but want to understand them more deeply. Although, there are a whole lot of Goodreads reviews by men that amount to “Oh my god, shut UP already,” so… be warned. They did not like these women talking and maybe you will not either. Sad, but to each their own, I guess!
👶 Red Clocks
Leni Zumas, 2018
I wonder if those Goodreads reviewers would like Red Clocks more or less than Breasts and Eggs. On the one hand it’s one of the same themes, played forward. On the other hand, more action! Less women talking! More women doing! Maybe that would help!
Picture it: A Twin Peaks-type town. The not-too-distant future. Abortion has been made illegal at the federal level. (Not too difficult to picture. Leni Zumas in 2018 probably didn’t realize how not-difficult that would be.) It’s getting harder to conceive for older women, and adoption laws are also tightening for single moms because of some dumb new morality laws.
But women are still desperate to have agency over their own bodies and their own lives. So the dangerous, new world has begun.
Recommended for: Those who want to know what the stakes are.
I need bonus recommendations!
I wasn’t sure I’d get EELS out this week, so I didn’t forcibly turn any of the “you should read X book” texts I got into actual bonus recs, but I should have. As always, if you have any ones you’d like me to put here, drop me a line.
I promise I’ll only ask you for one sentence, plus a couple ways to describe your reading habits—just so EELS readers will know whether you’re on their particular wavelength!
Missed you all! That was the thirty-ninth EELS! As always, send any and all questions, feedback, and shouted book recommendations by hitting reply.
📚 Susan
Loved this issue and missed reading EELS!