Bewitched and Bedevilled: Women Write the Gillard Years

by Samantha Trenoweth

Bewitched & Bedevilled is an intelligent but accessible analysis of Australia’s reaction to the nation’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, from some of Australia’s leading female voices.

From being labelled ‘deliberately barren’ to being criticised for her dress sense, hair colour and body, Julia Gillard’s Prime Ministership was one of the most controversial Australia has ever known – with much of it played out outside the arena of policies and politics. Bewitched & Bedevilled looks at the reasons Julia Gillard, Australia's first female Prime Minister, was so vehemently attacked, exploring the varied reactions to a female prime minister and her unfortunate position at the receiving end of a barrage of sexism and misogyny, and how much this played a part in her political problems, her public perception and her ultimate undoing.

This book brings together some of Australia’s wittiest and most incisive writers and commentators — all of them women. It delves into the complex issues surrounding Gillard's Prime Ministership, from her pornification, to the expectation of women leaders to play a ‘nurturing role’ towards the marginalised in society, to more personal reflections on what Gillard’s Prime Ministership meant to Australian women. With room for outrage, humour, reason and personal reflection, this is a must-read for anyone looking to contemplate ‘The Gillard Years’.

Contributors include: Jane Caro, Eva Cox, Clementine Ford, Claire Harvey, Ruth Hessey, Shakira Hussein, Carol Johnson, Kathy Lette, Cathy Lumby, Emily Maguire, Helen Pringle, Helen Razer, Tracey Spicer and transcripts from Gillard’s misogyny speech, Anne Summer’s My Speech: Her Rights at Work, The Political Persecution of Australia’s First Female Prime Minister (R-rated version) and Chloe Hooper’s On The Road with Julia Gillard.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Essays, Feminism, Australia, Womens

Paperback

First published December 1, 2013

About the author

For the past thirty years, Samantha Trenoweth has worked as a journalist, author and editor in book and magazine publishing, online and also in radio. She has written and co-written five books and edited more than a dozen magazines. She has written for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, HQ and Rolling Stone, among others, and has worked at the ABC.

Reviews

[Helen]

The chapter by me is AWESOME. Also, the one by my friend Shakira.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - and it made me quite sad. It reminded me of just how unfairly 'we' treated our first female Prime Minister and how tough she was.

[Wes]

A collection of essays and analysis commenting on the prime ministership of Australia’s first female PM, Julia Gillard.

Stark and to the point, all of the contributors to this book provided insight into the media and political vitriol that plagued Gillard’s time as PM. The commentary that surrounded Gillard’s time in government is truely shocking when presented in such a concise and thoroughly researched compilation.

While I thoroughly enjoyed each essay, it’s possible that they were written too closely together and too recently after Rudd’s 2013 coup and the Abbott government’s subsequent win, in that, they all overlapped with examples and references that were fresh at the time, which then became a bit repetitive for the reader. However, what this proximity did allow for was ensuring a lack of revisionist history… while the overwhelming narrative throughout the collection was positivity for Gillard and her contributions to the Australian landscape, it didn’t shy away from acknowledging the pitfalls and lowlights of the Gillard-lead government.

I was expecting a bit more of a reflective timeline and narrative of the Gillard’s years, and less-so a commentary on the misogyny and blatant sexism she faced. That said, I have walked away having learned a lot more about the less publicised details of this government’s time in office.

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen Razer’s essay was a clear stand out for me.

[Peter Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting collection of essays. The Anne Summers piece was probably the standout but the chance to read Gillard's famous misogynist speech aimed at Tony Abbott was good. Other strong contributions come from Jane Caro, Eva Cox and Clementine Ford. A piece of social and political history all Australians should be ashamed of.

[Déwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like any anthology - there are some really good essays, funny and insightful, while others read like a rehash of everything you've read in the media. But overall an interesting read.

[Estela Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good essays regarding a most controversial period of Australian history. The message, in general, how very far we are from an egalitarian society.

[Mon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much, a must read for any Australia - but be warned it will make you feel real depressed because of the sexism & misogyny

[Donherra Walmsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great range of diverse and interesting perspectives.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shouldn't have taken so long to read this book. It's full of great writing by interesting writers. Thanks Elaine for the gift.