Bad Feminist
Roxane Gay
[Constable & Robinson]
Internet Feminism exists in motion, in instant response to cultural ills, and for that reason is extremely difficult to condense into a book. But this is what Bad Feminist wants to do. Gay argues for a dynamic feminism, one which is inclusive, imperfect and accommodating. It’s a very appealing vision, and for a while it’s compelling. An exploration of society’s demand on women to be likeable. A takedown of Lena Dunham and Girls. An account of a summer at fat camp, and another of growing up with the Sweet Valley High books. A defence of The Hunger Games which gives way to the narrative of the author’s rape in middle school, at once evasive and heartbreaking.
But there are moments when these essays are infuriating. Though it is billed as a collection of ‘essays’, many of these are shorter reaction pieces on a series of online-journalism hate-crazes. And though her approach is faultless, the pattern is gratingly clear: Gay explains each issue in an earnest, non-patronising yet world-weary manner, then refuses to come down on one side but makes it very clear that this thing is bad. It’s an approach that would make one long for radicalism. Bad Feminist begs the question of whether this is what a book built on tweets looks like. Though true, and moving, and likeable throughout, Bad Feminist leaves the reader with no answers, only more things to smgdh at.
Words: Roisin Kiberd
