The non-fiction streak continues into the new year with Men Explain Things to Me, a slim blue volume of seven essays by Rebecca Solnit. I consider it a good sign when seemingly disparate, random, yet memorable pieces of information that I’ve come across at some point or another are suddenly hanging out in the same room. Maybe, I wonder, there is actually a rhyme and reason to what I consume; maybe there is a common theme among the things I know. Maybe. Within the first few essays I came across a reference to Idle No More, a grassroots movement among Canada’s Indigenous peoples that I heard about at a talk on campus last fall, and then “ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny,” which I inexplicably learned in a communications course ridiculously titled “Entertainment as Implicit Pedagogy.”
Thus far, Solnit’s essays have pointedly addressed violence against women, global economic injustice, and marriage equality. I’m sure there is much more to come. The title essay recalls the author’s experience of a man condescendingly explaining to her about a book that she herself had written, but branches out into the much larger issue – and danger – of silencing women. Solnit dedicates this book to “the conversations that don’t end,” so here’s to learning a bit more about those conversations.
Thus far, Solnit’s essays have pointedly addressed violence against women, global economic injustice, and marriage equality. I’m sure there is much more to come. The title essay recalls the author’s experience of a man condescendingly explaining to her about a book that she herself had written, but branches out into the much larger issue – and danger – of silencing women. Solnit dedicates this book to “the conversations that don’t end,” so here’s to learning a bit more about those conversations.
I’ve only ever read essays by EB White, which I read for my high school curriculum, and I’m so glad that it was a part of it. I can only dream to be a wordsmith like he! Every time I finish reading one of his essays, I feel like everything has changed, or at least my perspective of it. I’d like to read more essays by him, this non-fiction book you shared, and also Bad Feminist 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
This book sounds absolutely fantastic – I love the current trend of taking down mansplaining and all things similar. Thanks for the recommendation, I’m going to buy it!
Tessa at Bramble & Thorn
Just from the title I already know this is a book I need in my life. Will definitely have to find myself a copy soon!
Katie @ paperbackplanes.blogspot.com
I need more books of collective essays in my life. Some of the best writing out there is true to life, unspoken truths of non-fiction. I would love to find a copy of this somewhere. Bella xox
Wow, this book sounds awesome! If I had any doubts about it before, they are certainly gone now. Adding it right now to my wish list.
Funny, I’ve found myself reading more and more non-fiction of late, too. Everything from textbooks to collections of essays and I find myself more and more intrigued by the variety in the non-fiction arena, one I’d previously thought of as quite narrow.
I read this particular book last year and loved it. Solnit is a wonderful writer and I’ve since bought more of her books. She writes about some issues that are, I think, particularly pertinent to our lives today.
Kb x
I read this a few months ago and loved it. Everything I’ve read by her is always so eloquently put. I think this book is short, sweet, and to the point. I hope more people read it! If you haven’t read The Faraway Nearby by Rebecca Solnit, I highly recommend it- it’s a beautifully written book!