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A review by maddness22
Spinster: Making a Life of One's Own by Kate Bolick
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
Gosh it's been so long since a book has rewritten my soul at a molecular level like this book has. I've never felt so seen and understood as a single woman living on my own. It's such an in-depth reflection of the "spinster" lifestyle, treating both the joys and downfalls of being single and on your own with soft candor. It was enjoyable to actually read a book that celebrates the joys of being single rather than criticizing it.
I loved how the author expressed her own experiences as a modern single woman through the lens of historical spinsters who made a living from their independence. I also loved that it also celebrates partnership and marriage. There are no villains in this story. There are only different lifestyles, a thoughtful reflection of those lifestyles, and a call to allow women to live their lives as they want to rather than requiring them to follow some societal expectation that doesn't match what would bring them joy in life. If that means marriage, great. If that means being single, great. If that means being married for a little bit and then being single or vice versa, great.
Marriage absolutely doesn't need to be the default, but women don't need to commit to being single for the entirety of their lives either.
I loved how the author expressed her own experiences as a modern single woman through the lens of historical spinsters who made a living from their independence. I also loved that it also celebrates partnership and marriage. There are no villains in this story. There are only different lifestyles, a thoughtful reflection of those lifestyles, and a call to allow women to live their lives as they want to rather than requiring them to follow some societal expectation that doesn't match what would bring them joy in life. If that means marriage, great. If that means being single, great. If that means being married for a little bit and then being single or vice versa, great.
Marriage absolutely doesn't need to be the default, but women don't need to commit to being single for the entirety of their lives either.