How to Be a Heroine (Or What I've learned from reading too much) by Samantha Ellis had been on my TBR for years, so when I stumbled across it in the library I couldn't resist. I think I should preface this section by saying that I am going to relate Little Women to my own life waaaay too much and get upset and shouty so feel free to skip to the next book where I'll be nice and calm again! Theoretically, I enjoyed this book. Each chapter is about a different heroine as Ellis re-reads her favourite books from throughout her life, and she loved a lot of the heroines that I loved and she made a lot of valid points, but overall I left the book feeling a little disappointed. This was for two major reasons. The first is that I felt that every chapter was very similar. Each would start with all the things she had loved about a heroine, but as it progressed she would start to talk about how revisiting them had made her hate them or doubt them and honestly by the end of it her disillusionment with everything literary that I love kind of made me hate
The second reason I didn't love it like I thought I would is purely due to a different of opinion. Ellis is firmly in the 'Jo should have married Laurie' camp, to which I say no, no, no!! I have never and will never agree with this, they would have been the worst couple ever. Just so bad. I do agree with some of her other points, although I seriously think people in general should calm down about Jo going off to look after kids and temporarily stopping writing. It happens, it's life, it was (mostly) her choice so I never saw it as being anti feminist or a betrayal of herself and honestly it pisses me off when people go on about it. When you're 16 you plan to do a lot of things and if you fall in love, have kids and don't do what you've planned that shouldn't mean you've ruined your life (or the story). I feel strongly about this because I have done this so when people bitch about her I feel like it's a personal attack. I fully understand this to be crazy, but it's probably something you should know, dear blog readers, if we're going to remain friends.
And rant over. Aside from that, there were large parts I did enjoy and some that made me chuckle and I really did like learning a little about Iraqi Jewish culture and families, so if you don't have my insane issues surrounding Little Women you'll probably really enjoy it.
There is so much diversity in this book. It is told through the individual stories of vastly different people in different situations and it is one of the most powerful, affecting, motivating books that I've read this year. Every time I think about how the government is ruining our country I will think about the people who are so much worse off than me. It makes me want to do something to help, and books that motivate are the best kind.
Apologies for the ranting going on on the blog lately, I don't know what's come over me. Probably the awfulness of Moby Dick leaking out and contaminating everything it touched!
What a great list, Bex! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed Very Good Lives; I've been wondering about that one because I'm a huge J.K. Rowling fan. Finding Home sounds excellent, and very timely; I think it also works well with I Am Malala! I'll look forward to your post tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued with Displacement - I want to pick it up soon! I also enjoyed Very Good Lives!
ReplyDeleteI didn't agree with a lot of what Samantha Ellis said in her book (I'm with you about Jo and Laurie), but I still enjoyed reading it. I liked seeing how she made connections between literature and her life, even though they were not the connections I would make. I can understand your reservations though.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is quite an eclectic list! Had no idea of the J.K. Rowling--must check it out! And thanks to you I already have Finding Home on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteHa! Just read your rant on How to Be a Heroine!! I love it! The point of feminism is that females have CHOICES from among ALL OPTIONS, not that we must conform to any one life pattern! I'm totally with you on that!!
ReplyDeleteHow To Be a Heroine is a book I should enjoy in theory too, but based on your review, I think I'll pass. I don't think I could find reading about someone else's disillusionment very enjoyable!
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