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kklecornu's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.25
I enjoyed learning about the difficult and sometimes chaotic lives of the women writers shared in this book. I found it hard to follow when the author went into depth about books I hadn’t read. I would have liked more memoir on behalf of the author to give me more reason to care and make it personal.
atsundarsingh's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Good biography interwoven with memoir. A bit meandering at times.
marisatn's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
I’m not usually big on literary criticism, but these essays were interesting and now I have a bunch of books added to my tbr.
ananascanread's review
4.0
This book made me feel understood, and there's nothing better than that.
Nine acclaimed female authors' biographical snapshots are interwoven with Joanna Biggs' own autobiography and reflections on her life. It's a book about starting over, having the courage to build the life that you want, no matter the cost.
I loved this book, so much that I need a physical copy in my collection.
Nine acclaimed female authors' biographical snapshots are interwoven with Joanna Biggs' own autobiography and reflections on her life. It's a book about starting over, having the courage to build the life that you want, no matter the cost.
I loved this book, so much that I need a physical copy in my collection.
libellumartinae's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
3.75
Alrightie, in general I thought this book was a lovely essay (on both feminism and writing) and it was quite interesting, definitely encouraging me and having me feel the itch to read all the books mentioned by the author. At times, though, it could be a bit too didascalic and especially a tad superficial in announcing general values that didn't feel as much as of the authors as Briggs' own.
With his beings said I thought it was still a good mix on memoir and essay, although what was going to make and unmake this book was the last chapter about Elena Ferrante, one of my favorite author. Personally I thought it didn't deliver, not a single way. It felt extremely superficial and like the summary of what could have been and although I understand the struggles of writing about a figure you know so little about, Ferrante has said a lot about her writing and her characters that could have easily replenished her chapter.
Overall a good and interesting read, though.
With his beings said I thought it was still a good mix on memoir and essay, although what was going to make and unmake this book was the last chapter about Elena Ferrante, one of my favorite author. Personally I thought it didn't deliver, not a single way. It felt extremely superficial and like the summary of what could have been and although I understand the struggles of writing about a figure you know so little about, Ferrante has said a lot about her writing and her characters that could have easily replenished her chapter.
Overall a good and interesting read, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, and Sexual assault