Critic Reviews
Good
Based on 19 reviews on
Long before Pantsuit Nation, before the Women's March, and before the #MeToo movement, women's anger was not only politically catalytic--but politically problematic. The story of female fury and its cultural significance demonstrates its crucial role in women's slow rise to political power in America, as well as the ways that anger is received when it comes from women as opposed to when it comes from men.
"Urgent, enlightened...realistic and compelling...Traister eloquently highlights the challenge of blaming not just forces and systems, but individuals" (The Washington Post). In Good and Mad, Traister tracks the history of female anger as political fuel--from suffragettes marching on the White House to office workers vacating their buildings after Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Traister explores women's anger at both men and other women; anger between ideological allies and foes; the varied ways anger is received based on who's expressing it; and the way women's collective fury has become transformative political fuel. She deconstructs society's (and the media's) condemnation of female emotion (especially rage) and the impact of their resulting repercussions.
Highlighting a double standard perpetuated against women by all sexes, and its disastrous, stultifying effect, Good and Mad is "perfectly timed and inspiring" (People, Book of the Week). This "admirably rousing narrative" (The Atlantic) offers a glimpse into the galvanizing force of women's collective anger, which, when harnessed, can change history.
Clint Smith is a poet and author.
Just finished @rtraister’s excellent new book “Good and Mad.” Every page was illuminating, deeply-researched, and completely absorbing. I have no idea how she wrote it so quickly but I’m very glad she did.
Monica Byrne is a playwright and science fiction author.
Tonight’s movie: YEAR OF THE WOMAN (1972), a buried feminist classic. I had to watch it after reading about it in @rtraister’s book GOOD AND MAD. It’s up on YouTube in its entirety. https://t.co/ddmmW7ELx2
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Join our book club for adults who are interested in reading and discussing a diverse range of Fiction and Nonfiction books featuring feminist characters and themes. This month, we discuss Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger by Rebecca Traister. https://t.co/aylMcMVK8Q