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Works by Jill Filipovic

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For a woman, what would it take to be happy? While the ground covered in this book (work/life balance, sex, parenting) is familiar from many books and journalism centered around women, this is one of the only books I've encountered which frames women's issues (for lack of a better term) around happiness. The author has a lot of good points and I hope more people read it. Despite being written a few years ago now, this book pretty much holds up. If you're a feminist and/or interested in these topics, I would recommend giving this book a try.… (more)
 
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wagner.sarah35 | 5 other reviews | Dec 4, 2023 |
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
 
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fernandie | 1 other review | Sep 15, 2022 |
The book has a good thesis--that women should seek to maximize their happiness. There's a lot of good material scattered through the book. Despite that, it doesn't really succeed, largely because Filipovic doesn't know what kind of book she wants to write. The scope is too wide: each chapter focuses on a part of women's lives that could take a book to cover thoroughly on its own. The content flips between research, interview material, and her own thoughts, and it's an uneven mix. She's upfront that she's exactly the kind of middle class white woman that's been too visible in feminist texts, and she does try to bring in data and interviews from people who aren't like her, but in sections, her voice dominates. It's most noticeable in the Parenting chapter, where her lack of personal experience with the topic makes her musings sit somewhat uneasily and her recommendations feel too packaged. In addition, while she is aware of her race and class, and religion gets a nod in the sex chapter, other issues go unmentioned--disability is barely spoken about.

It's not bad, but if you've read any of the recent books about feminism as applied to people's lives, it probably won't tell you anything new.
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arosoff | 5 other reviews | Jul 11, 2021 |
Author constantly repeats that millennials don't buy avocado bagels but then admits they in fact do but it's not their fault (and it's actually a good thing). Nothing is their fault. Everything is stacked against them whereas everyone else had a free ride before them and didn't have to work for anything. And it's unfair.

At least millennials are not as racist as boomers. Really? Have you seen the Internet? When I was growing up (and I'm a millennial too) neo-nazi groups were some morbid joke at worst, now they're an electoral force.

There is no substance to the book, it's mostly pointless whining, random irrelevant statistics and groundless assertions all in an effort to shift blame. You can only do that for so long. All those boomers you hate are dying out. Who are you going to blame then? Even if you conclusively prove that nothing is your fault, is that going to help your situation in some way?
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Paul_S | 1 other review | Dec 23, 2020 |

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