Taking A Long Look

Typical recap showing us all the shortcomings in history for where we have failed women and instead elevated men. Was well written but honestly a drag - let’s do something about it and stop just writing about it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Reading Vivian Gornick's thoughts inspired me to read and re-read the subjects of her essay collection. Previously, I'd managed to avoid any consideration of Herman Melville. Gornick's insightful essay had me thinking about this classic author for the first time. I found her comments on consciousness raising groups particularly insightful and relevant to the present day, as we are forced to confront systemic issues in order to move forward in our personal lives.

I liked this book for many reasons. One was the author of whom I have on a digital shelf Fierce Attachment and the book on Emma Goldman. I still haven't read them but this collection of essays made me pick at least one of them for my-next-to-read-books.
Concerning this book, I found it fresh and provocative and also having a style of its own. When you read one of the essays you're struck by how distinctive it is. Reading Gornick you can't say that it's a voice like everyone writing online these days. And maybe this is one reason of loving the book. Another is the good flow. You want to read more even if you're not interested in the topic per se. The writing is contemporary in the best way. Also the writing isn't forced like some contemporary writers tend to do ("a few hundred words and I have my 1500 words"). You start a piece and read and read and almost suddenly you're at its end.

I would read Vivian Gornick on any subject, but this collection really hits the spot as she talks about writers I admire (and those I don't) and finishes with some excellent explicit takes on feminism. Gornick has a way of illustrating a point that has never quite been articulated that way. I often felt some of the criticisms could have been longer, but they do what good criticism should do and make me want to read the author in question to make up my own mind. A section that transcribes a feminist group is so fascinating and ageless and I would have loved to have read more.

Thanks to NetGalley, Verso Books and Vivian Gornick for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.