A History of Women in 101 Objects: A walk through female history
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By Annabelle Hirsch, and and, Eleanor Updegraff
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A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023
This is a neglected history. Not a sweeping, definitive, exhaustive history of the world but something quieter, more intimate and particular. A journey, picked out in 101 objects, through the fascinating, too-often-overlooked, manifold histories of women.
Open up this cabinet of curiosities and you’ll find objects that have been highly esteemed and others that are humble and domestic. Some (like a sixteenth century glass dildo) are objects of female pleasure, some (a thumbscrew) of female subjugation. There are artefacts of women celebrated by history and of women unfairly forgotten by it; examples of female rebellion and of self-revelation; objects that are inspiring, curious or (like radium-laced chocolate) just fundamentally ill-conceived. In this compendium, Annabelle Hirsch reveals a new history – teeming, unexpected, witty and always illuminating.
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As the author says herself, this is a very eurocentric - and predominantly white- history of women. It would be fascinating to hear the stories of women around the world - here's hoping publishers will support such endeavours.
I really enjoyed the concept and it works well as an introduction to feminist history. Some objects feel short changed by this format, but hopefully this book will encourage interested readers to explore topics in more depth.
I've given this a 4 rather than a 3 as I was listening to the audiobook version. It was a real treat to have this amazing cast of narrators sharing these stories- and for such a great cause too.
