Michelle Dean

This is something of a literary criticism, history and biography of 10 women writers of the 20th century who had a great deal of influence and insight into journalism, philosophy, political science and feminism. All broke barriers of one sort or other in journalism, literary criticism, political science and philosophy, broadcasting, film and theatre criticism, screen writing and fiction.
Most are American but it includes German, British writers.
The book starts with Dorothy Parker and ends with Janet Malcolm.
Featured writers are Rebecca West, Mary McCarthy, Zora Neal’s Hurston, Hanna Arendt, Susan Sontag, Lillian Hellman, Pauline Kael, Joan Didion! Nora Ephrom, Renata Adler, Janet Malcolm
Interesting to discover what they endured for their craft. Some were successful, some not so much. Success came at a price: some were very lonely, ostracized, unhappily married or self isolated. Alcohol played a large role in their lives.… (more)