Bookish Beyond

Free Women, Free Men: Sex, Gender, Feminism

2019-06-20T10:06:00.001+01:00

Author: Camille Paglia

Hi guys, how are you this rare, sunny English morning?

Today, I'm going to be discussing a more controversial book. I know, there's plenty of those to go around nowadays, right? However, this book genuinely spoke to me.

How I feel about modern Feminism

While not being a follower of modern Feminism, I can appreciate the history of first wave Feminism, where women fought for the right to vote and the right to greater work opportunity.

When I compare those noble causes to the modern Feminist movement, I actually feel a bit lost. Where does all of the man-hating stem from? How is anything being discussed today remotely relate to actually equality of the sexes?

We already established equality of opportunity, so why are so many lies being pushed onto our young women about men, and about our biological nature? It makes no sense to me. Where is the personal responsibility for our own everyday problems? Furthermore, where is the strength that first wave Feminists showed in order to prove their worth?

When I recently watched an interview with self-described 'Amazonian Feminist' Camille Paglia, I lit up. Paglia spoke with great insight into the issues faced in life by both men and women, of how human beings are always suffering because life in itself is never easy. Having watched her interview, I felt compelled to read her latest book, Free Women, Free Men.

Paglia's Writing Style

Having never read any of Paglia's work before, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, I was genuinely surprised by her coverage of historical events relating to Feminism, showing us young girls the good, the bad, and the ugly of the movement.

Paglia experienced the early stages of second wave Feminism and, by the sounds of it, it wasn't all that different from what we're seeing in the world at present. In fact, it's pretty much a repeat of what happened then: lots of male bashing, while raising women up as if they can do no wrong.

Come on. In life, we all make mistakes. I myself have made plenty of them when younger, but it's crucial that we look inside ourselves and learn from them, and that we don't pin our own failings on a scapegoat for convenience.

Camille's style of writing showcases both her intelligence and her kickass sense of humour. She speaks her own truth, while simultaneously rejecting the chaotic politics of our current age. She speaks candidly of nature and of the female body, of humanity's unconscious fears from a psychological perspective. I often found myself nodding along with her, grateful for a sane voice in this ever-changing reality.

The idea- the very foundation of first wave Feminism- was for women to have the opportunity to go after what they wanted: to work hard just like men, not to rely on special protections when they felt offended or unable to handle the real world.

My mum shall forever be my role model in this regard: she has always worked hard at her job, a woman with a blend of feminine and masculine qualities that allow her to prosper in life. To me, she is a paragon of strength.

Memorable Quotes Young Girls Should Pay Attention To

'If women seek freedom, they must let men too be free.'

This quote resonated with me because for true equality, you cannot simply bash others for how they are born (including men.)

'Radical misinterpretation of reality is psychotic- psychosis is a system. people within that system feel it's very rational.'

This spoke to me because more often than not, we are seeing our reality twisted by the perspective of a select few people, who then make enough noise for the media to take notice. Ironically, these individuals do not speak for the majority of people, and the warped world view that is spread by the media honestly makes me feel sick to my stomach.

'We must stop seeing everything in life through the narrow lense of gender. If women expect equal treatment in society, they must stop asking for infantilizing special protections. With freedom comes personal responsibility.'

Exactly. The more we focus on something, the more power we give it in our everyday lives. If you're constantly focusing on gender, you will find problems with it everywhere. It's the same no matter what you're focusing on. Try focusing on being a better person, not through pushing your personal beliefs about the world, but on actually doing good toward your fellow men and women.

These three quotes stood out to me because they speak the truth. Feminism, while once a worthwhile cause that helped women to thrive, now seems doomed to fixate on gender until it goes blue in the face, not taking into account men and women's biological or psychological differences.

Equality cannot exist while any one gender persecutes the other: that includes women bashing men. That's sexism, only toward men instead of toward women. I'm amazed that the young women following this modern movement cannot see that. To me, modern Feminism seems hell-bent on enacting some cruel revenge on men, while preaching morality to others. It makes no sense.

Overall Thoughts

I loved Camille's latest book as it shows the full reality of Feminism's journey from its first wave to modern times. The ridiculous propaganda spread through universities today needs to stops so that the sexes can come together to make a better future. Dividing people by gender, race, or however you divide them, will not solve anything. It will only make the currently unstable political climate worse.

Hopefully, people will eventually come to their senses. Be strong ladies: don't put others down in order to raise yourselves above them. Work hard and if you meet any obstacles along the way, take a deep breath and fight your way through.

You've got this: you always did. xoxo

Find the book on Goodreads

State of Refuge: Review

2019-06-16T18:40:00.003+01:00

Hi guys, today's review is for State of Refuge, by author David Korson.
If you love Sci-Fi Dystopian tales, then this one might be for you.

After the final war, an oppressive global government dominates the planet, erasing our history, altering our language, and deciding what jobs we do, and where we go. There is no freedom!

{As a warning: there are some references to brutal sexual assault at times, though only near the start, when some prisoners in the State of Refuge attack some female prisoners, resulting in the women's deaths.}

Summary

When seventeen-year-old Derek Vasuez is accused of murdering his own parents, his simple life with his peers and loving girlfriend is turned on its head. Now, he's doomed to live the rest of his life in The State of Refuge with murderers, rapists, and all manner of criminals.

Setting

The story is set mainly in Kanadia (Canada, I'm guessing.) The new global government have changed many words and country names while imposing their ridiculous policies on the general population.

A Final War (likely World War 3) is often mentioned, having completely transformed modern ways of living. You can't choose your job or where you live, and forget disagreeing with the government as it could lead to imprisonment, or worse, death.

Characters

Derek (the main protagonist) begins as a sensitive young man who gradually toughens up in order to survive his hellish new ordeals. He shows great strength, determination, and loyalty throughout the book, which led me to really admire him as a character.

Another character of note is Alex, a no-nonsense Portorican girl, who displays strong survival skills and a sharp wit. Her friendship with Derek is complex: I still wonder if there was more affection between them than initially intended.

the main villains are the Reposits, a sort of Communist-style guard, leeching personal freedom from everyday people. They proved to be a nasty bunch of individuals that I certainly wouldn't want to encounter.

What Did I Like?

I liked how the author created a strong sense of the harsh environment Derek was thrust into. I imagined a great desert plain with lots of bloodshed and pain.
I liked that there were people willing to take Derek in within the State of Refuge, to train him to become a strong survivor.
Finally, I loved the unexpected twist at the end. I honestly never saw it coming.

A Favourite Quote

My favourite quote of the entire book had to be this:
'We remember. You can't forget freedom.'

This was one of the most powerful quotes of the whole book, showing just how much we as humans value our personal freedom. When it's taken away from us, only then do we realize how crucial it is for us to be happy.

Overall Thoughts

I enjoyed every moment of this story, except for the brief assault mentions, though they did have their place, adding shock value where it would have the most impact.

This was a gritty story of camaraderie, sacrifice, and betrayal.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
My Rating? 5 stars.

Visit the book's goodreads page here

The Hermit of Hisarya

2019-06-10T20:15:00.004+01:00

Having read the first four books in the Sam Smith Mystery Series, I couldn't help but pick up number five when it popped up in my Amazon Recommended.

About the story

The Hermit of Hisarya is slightly different from the previous books in that it's set abroad in Bulgaria, instead of in Sam's home country of Wales. When travelling with fiance Alan for a psychology conference, Sam is pulled into a historical conspiracy, where her life and freedom are put at risk.

Themes Explored

Book five follows the themes of family, history, and dark secrets. There is a lot of talk about Communism and Fascism, and how neither system allows people to live freely: someone is always 'pulling the strings,' so to speak.

New Characters

During this fifth instalment, I met several new characters connected with Alan's past. Such characters included a charming Bulgarian couple, the wife's elderly mother, and their son Mikhail. The host couple appeared gracious, intelligent, and compassionate, even helping Sam out when she is pulled into one of the country's greatest historical scandals.

Hannah Howe: Author Avatar

Parts I Liked Most

There were several things I liked best about this book, so today, I thought I'd list them as bullet points:

How kind the Bulgarian people are to Sam and Alan during their stay.
How comparisons are made between modern politics and the past, particularly focusing on lies spread by the general media, to elicit specific emotional responses in its citizens, and to hide important historical facts.
I loved the ending: the truth is finally brought to light (don't worry, I won't reveal any spoilers as to what the truth is.)

My Overall Thoughts

My overall reading experience was enjoyable. I was constantly left guessing as to what would happen next. The story hooked me from the beginning and delved deeper and deeper into politically criminal acts, which I found fascinating.

Hannah Howe has quickly become one of my favourite mystery authors.
Recommended for cozy mystery and history lovers.

My rating: 5 stars.

Learn more about the book at its Goodreads page

A Question of Will: The Aliomenti Saga, Book 1

2019-06-06T19:53:00.005+01:00

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A Question of Will (volume 1) by Alex Albrinck was my first read of June. The story follows Will Stark: father, husband, and entrepreneur. Told from both Will and his foe's perspectives, we learn about the ancient order of the Aliomenti and their plans for any who seek to betray them.

Story overview

The story begins in 2030, with Will having built up his own empire from nothing. Time travel is a feature that comes later in the book, taking Will all the way to the year 2219. There, we learn more about the Aliomenti's insidious plans for the world. Should someone desecrate one or all of the ancient order's sacred oaths, they are sentenced to death, or much worse.

The story flowed well, though at times I had to pause and re-read a sentence, in order to get a grip on the time and location. There were many interesting twists and turns that I didn't see coming, keeping me reading. There are ancient secrets at work: elite groups having exclusive access to secret technology and supernatural abilities, all hidden from ordinary people. Luckily, an Alliance has formed to slowly bring these powers to the rest of humankind, while fighting the cruel Aliomenti.

Protagonist: Will Stark

Will's sense of decency toward his fellow people is refreshing. It is soon evident that he is willing to risk anything for the good of mankind. he is a strong, compassionate character that also admits to his own faults.

I found it particularly admirable that despite a neglected childhood and terrible parents, Will vows never to be like them, adopting a different approach to life, which leads to his eventual success.

Villains: The Aliomenti

The lead members of the Aliomenti: three hunters, one key assassin, and their leader are all callous individuals with a clear distaste for humankind. I instantly hated their narcissism, the very notion that they are the most important beings on the planet due to their abilities seeming laughable when I considered their growing arrogance.

They dismiss their vile actions as being necessary for the 'greater good,' but good for who, I found myself asking. All they served was to further their own wealth, power, control, and self-importance.

Quick note on Time Travel

I thought I'd add a quick note on the time travel used in the book. Time travel is included in the later half of the story. Using nano-technology, members of the Alliance are able to create many cool inventions, such as shape-shifting buildings, air-ships, and more.

The sheer imagination being displayed here had me in awe.

Memorable Quotes

When reading a new book, I often pick out what I feel to be memorable quotes, relative to our modern lives. In A Question of Will, I found many such quotes. It was hard to pick just one to showcase but I finally settled on the following.

'Sometimes, the easiest thing to do, the emotional response, is exactly the wrong thing to do.'

So often now, especially when using the internet, people seem to feel compelled to share their initial emotional reactions to things, no matter how much pain they leave in their wake. I've been guilty of this, as I'm sure we all have at some point or another. Hey, we're only human, after all. However, I think it's crucial that we catch ourselves in the act because if we carry on reacting immediately, I fear that we do more harm than good.

My Rating

A Question of Will explored one man's journey from losing everything he held dear, to becoming a true force for good in the world. I couldn't stop reading and would recommend this series to fans of science fiction and action thrillers.

I'm rating this 5 stars.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16041555-a-question-of-will
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Question-Will-Aliomenti-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B009F19JFM/

Relics of Andromeda: Song of Ancients ~ Review

2019-05-30T20:15:00.002+01:00

Title: Relics of Andromeda: Volume 1 - Song of Ancients
Author: Jonathan Michael Erickson

Genre: Science Fiction
Themes: Temptation, friendship, politics, technology.
Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis:

AN EPIC TALE SPANNING CIVILIZATIONS AND CENTURIES

Anka has believed the stories since childhood: the alien relics bring ruin and madness. Ancient pieces of technology that seem to have minds of their own, the relics interface with human psychology, granting the power to bend space and time—and often inducing psychosis. When the colonists of Andromeda first discovered the relics, long before Anka was born, humanity was plunged into chaos.

Now Anka is carrying a relic in her pack, tasked with securing the object before it can do any harm. She and her companions set out across the desert by foot, marching towards the distant city— even as the relic begins to whisper in her mind...

Review:

Intro:

After a pretty big fiction reading slump, I came across Relics of Andromeda: Song of Ancients, on the Prolific Works website (formerly known as Instafreebie.)

As soon as I read the synopsis, which promised ancient relics and strange civilizations, I was hooked. Book 1 of this series is fast-paced, taking place in the Andromeda Galaxy, on planets D'harma (where humans have now settled) and Shoal (the home planet of a shapeshifting alien race.)

Characters:

The main protagonist, Anka was by far my favourite character. Her strength of will and determination to set things right had me admiring her from the start. I related to her genuine feelings of uncertainty when faced with many profound changes to her life.

Anka's companions, Trevor and Tamreh each brought their own different strengths and flaws to the table. Trevor is a steadfast friend with an endless sense of compassion that burns bright in his soul. Tamreh, on the other hand, was confusing to me. At first, I liked her, a daring shaman, intent to break the rules. However, as the story advanced and she became more reckless, I found myself wishing she would disappear.

Story:

The main story is told through third-person narration, though it centres mainly on Anka's point of view and how she deals with each new obstacle that stands in her way to returning an ancient relic named Osiris.

I liked how the main storyline was combined with brief interludes from other points of view, helping to add depth to Andromeda's history of human population.

Overall, the story flowed well and drew me in at each turn, delivering action, unconventional relationships and alliances, and plenty of nail-biting tension.

Author: Jonathan Miahcel Erickson

Other Things I Liked:

The author builds up vivid scenes that I could imagine as if I were holidaying in a faraway land and being given a tour. There's a truly beautiful imagination at work here.

I also loved the relics themselves, which seem to possess their own unique consciousness. They were fascinating to read about and I even found myself wanting to protect them from Anka's foes.

It's fascinating to see how one person has imagined humankind might live their lives one day, part of an intimate technological network that spans across galaxies.

Dislikes?

I don't think there was anything I honestly disliked, bat Tamreh's occasional recklessness as it left her friends in dire circumstances.

Favourite Quote?

'It is when you feel most confident in the nature of things that you risk betrayal by harsh, inscrutable reality.'

I think this quote is particularly relevant in modern times, what with the general population being so divided by extremes in political opinion.

Would You Recommend?

I would definitely recommend this book and I can't wait to read the sequel. If you love science fiction, then this book is for you.

I'm rating it 5 stars.

Goodreads: Relics of Andromeda

Identity Reclaimed: An Original Poem

2019-05-26T16:03:00.000+01:00

Hi all, the following poem was written just now, as a celebration of finally feeling more comfortable in my own skin.

As of March 2018, having been transitioning from female to male through the use of hormone therapy, I realized that my personal gender dysphoria stemmed from certain childhood moments that have left their own scars.

Since early 2018, I began to detransition, a process that although considered rare by many, is actually more common than you would think. As a controversial subject, people like me are hidden from the general public and rarely discussed in the mainstream media.

This poem represents the end of one confusing journey and the beginning of a journey back to my true self.

The following poem is a brief look at how I now feel about my true, female-born identity.

I look in the mirror,
What do I see?
A young woman- sad,
As frail as can be.
I look in the mirror,
At what I’ve become.
Obsessed with identity-
Comfortably numb.
I look in the mirror,
And it’s there that I find-
I was always a woman,
Merely in a bind.
I look in the mirror,
See softness regained.
Past trauma explored,
And realized pain.
I look in the mirror,
And I gasp in relief-
That I did not commit-
To my transition belief.
I look in the mirror,
And I start to smile.
The worst is far from over,
No longer in denial.

I look in the mirror,
And see no strife.
Who is this carefree lady-
I’ve waited to meet all my life?

Thank you for reading this short poem. I know the subject of gender identity is a touchy one right now and do apologize if anyone took offence. However, my intention is only to share my own personal truth and to show that sometimes, gender dysphoria stems from other issues, such as past trauma, or as a feature of other mental conditions.

Gender dysphoria, in itself, is a mental state, where the sufferer feels extreme distress in regards to their birth sex. This may be due to social factors or past abuse. I truly believe that the first port of call, before considering hormones and surgery, should be to establish why the individual has developed gender dysphoria. That way, any other pre-existing issues can be ruled out.

I hope my words have at least given you pause with regards to this particular subject. It is important for us to think back when we consider such major life-changing decisions as we can't see how they will affect us in the future until that future is lived. Thank you for reading my post. I hope you have a wonderful week. Dax. xoxo

12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos: Review

2019-05-21T20:30:00.002+01:00

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book so much!

Despite the lies spread in the media about Peterson, he's a very down to earth, logical-thinking man with a caring attitude toward other people. His 12 Rules for Life was an insightful read that discussed various ways to improve your own personal life, instead of focusing on the melodrama being spread throughout the world.

One of the rules that held my attention most was about putting your own house in order before judging others. None of us is perfect: I'm certainly not and there's plenty of room for me to improve myself. By making more positive and responsible decisions in our own lives, a ripple effect is created. Consequently, if we spread negativity, then a similar ripple effect is created, pushing more negativity into the world at large.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is genuinely feeling lost amidst the news scandals and societal upheaval currently going on.

My favourite read of 2019 so far. :)

View all my previous goodreads reviews