Flipping Patriarchy: Imagining a Gender-Swapped World

by Man Who Has It All

An explosive satire of gender stereotypes that flips patriarchy on its head to highlight sexist double standards.

Exploring subjects like work and comedy, history and sport, the beauty industry and domesticity, anonymous author Man Who Has It All imagines a world in which men are bombarded with the same stereotypical bullshit as women. What if men's t-shirts were emblazoned with slogans encouraging them to be smiley, positive and kind? What if we laughed at jokes about fathers-in-law and male drivers? What if men's history was a niche topic? Behind the jokes about crazy cat gentlemen, testerical men and the 24-hour moustache, lies a deeper, darker message about language, power and control.

Smart and provocative, Man Who Has It All shines a powerful light on the prejudice ingrained in our society. Told through fictionalised scenarios and wider cultural analysis, this is a feminist handbook that will arm you against the patriarchy.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2025

Reviews

[Sivvy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A depressingly excellent read. To those who follow Man Who Has It All on social media, its content and style will be familiar - simply replacing commentary and social expectations surrounding women with men as the focal point instead, and then seeing how absurd they become. In contrast to the online posts, the book feels more angry than humorous, but it’s an entirely righteous anger at a world which routinely diminishes, undermines and undervalues the female half of the population in utterly ridiculous ways.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This utterly destroyed me. Lordy! Have I been needing a read like this for a long time. This is clever, indulgent, satirical, over-the-top, cathartic ... I'm not on social media so I'm sure others have already stumbled upon the author there, but it was a revelation for me.

The text is one part "gender-swapped" (quotes because BINARY) satire, with the stereotypes and biases and world order aimed at controlling women and putting women down turned on its head. We follow Liam, the prototypical husband of Claire, and learn about all the things he has to do while picking up around the house, juggling his part-time career, and taking care of his beauty, while Claire leads the world and sloths on the couch, happily patronizing her "silly" husband when he can't handle the "easy" stuff in life. These hilarious situations are embedded within explanations of the typical problems associated with sexism and the patriarchy for women. And it's truly funny. I laughed out loud more than once.

That said ... this is very much a white, privileged, ciswomen's revenge fest. While the author decries biological essentialism, this is 100% based on the same shaky gender binary and sex=gender foundations. Not only that, it's heterosexist, nuclear family-oriented, etc. There's only men and women in matrimony here.

On top of that, the author leans into jokes mocking women for being "fat, ugly, and stupid" by "gender-swapping" the subjects, and spends some time explaining why these "jokes" aren't funny ... on the gender side. Not a single mention of the fatmisia, the lookism, and the ableism here. Again, this is a rather privileged and strangely unwoke woman writing here. Later, the author presents a "gender-flipped" world where all clothes are designed for "women's bodies," hence huge gaps in the chest area that "women may be compelled to reach out and touch" ... because all women have hefty bosoms! I mean, all of this struck me as a bit too daft, given how clever the author otherwise is. So what gives?

Another issue is that this is British to the core. I lived in England but some words and references flew over my head. Naturally, the day-to-day scenarios don't necessarily translate across cultural borders, including within England, of course. While some of this translates to the Japanese patriarchal context, a lot doesn't, leaving me wondering whether and how this might be translated into Japanese (just as an example).

I was also irritated at some misfires and selective references. The feminists of the 60s didn't burn their bras; they merely threw them in a "Freedom" trash can. I can't believe the author doesn't know that. Not that it really matters (burned or tossed) but this is an easy way to cast doubt on the whole thesis. The author also only cites this and that, hand-waving away the need for references despite constantly appealing to said references. This text may not be useful in bringing on board the uninitiated, to put it lightly.

I still support work of this kind and I'm looking for a truly expansive version in the future, by this author or someone else. And I'm sure a lot of (cis)men are going to get testerical about this text. Looking forward to the author and her minions tearing them a new one!

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Unbound for the advance copy.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does make excellent points with humour and clear passion.

4.5 stars.

Yes this should not, as the author advises, be read in one go like a novel. Each topic needs a bit of consideration and thinking time, and I did find that ingesting over several days worked best.

I'm not a huge social media user so had not heard of the Man Who Has is All account, posts or following, but I quickly understood the concept and point from this.

By turning normal conventions, language and customs on their heads, it quickly becomes apparent that all animals are not equal and everyone has a role to play in helping individuals and society at large see - and do something about - this.

From the househusbands and men taking care of their appearance and language in the workplace to the missing female element from history, the writer flips everything around to hold the mirror up and show how one-sided it all is. And how unacceptable.

It was helpful that the author regularly comes in to tell us what sections are real life and which are her flipped satire, and gives examples of both.

A gender swapped world seems a mad place indeed. So why is the one we have not seen that way?

Loved the long reading lists at the end as well (was pleased I'd read and reviewed quite a few already!).

Excellent read.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

[Daniel Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's definitely an incredibly enjoyable and funny book here which points out some glaring problems in the world associated with the patriarchy. The author makes her points brilliantly most of the time and I did laugh at many of the flipped scenarios that did a great job of showing just how ridiculous and unequal much of society is still unfortunately. However, I did have issue with the general lack of nuance throughout the book and the repetitive nature of the writing (we get that it's satire, you don't need to say it every second page!?)

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a "one joke" book. But even though it's only one joke, it's a joke that keeps on giving. What if... you talked about women the way people talk about men, and you talked about men the way people talk about women? That's it -- that's the joke. Patriarchy, flipped. I have followed the author on Facebook for a number of years, and I always give her posts a thumbs up. I can never "ha-ha" them, though. Like a lot of posts from The Onion, the "joke" hits a little too close to home, is a little too dark to be really funny to me. Women of a certain age will see themselves here, although distorted in a funhouse mirror kind of way. Younger women and those who insist that "men and women are the same, we're equal" may gain some insight into why that is not necessarily true.

[Ellen Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - The ideas in the satire and humour chapters were so interesting. And as soon as you flip genders, the ridiculousness of the patriarchy is glaring.

There were some dated/white feminism™ references that I groaned at, but otherwise I think this is a good book. A sort of “Intro to Feminism”, covering pressing issues while using humour.

[korpetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would enjoy this book much more. I think I expected this to be more of a creative gender-swapped fiction story, and not the fragmented excerpts and citations collection that it was. I also really didn't need to be reminded that it's satire on every second page.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man Who Has It All, Flipping Patriarchy Imagining a gender-swapped world, Unbound, March 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Imagine not having to search through Facebook posts to enjoy page after page of admonitions and guidance which are mischievous on the surface, but so sharp. So sharp indeed that amongst my laughter and enthusiasm to read more there is a gut-wrenching understanding that, yes, this is truth telling that hurts. This book provides all that at your fingertips, no searching, just a dip or two and you have your comic aside from the Man Who Has It All’s ability to see the patriarchy, its foibles, foolishness and its brutality, and make the reality behind the humour glaringly apparent. At the same time, there are explanations of the principles behind the comments. This is both engaging and enraging, inspiring laughter, and distress, but also inspiring: just imagine if everyone could understand, if only a little, what this author is demonstrating.

Claire, CEO, and her husband, Liam feature, together with Facebook respondents’ reflections on Liam’s shortcomings. Sympathy for Claire abounds, that for Liam is couched in admonitory terms. Then comes, Not Just a Pretty Beard, and reference to the TV makeover show, 10 Years Younger in 10 Days. But is a makeover the answer? Where should responsibility for a woman’s improved appearance lie, asks Man Who Has It All? Read the alternative, it is worth it. As is Liam’s predicament when confronted with the need to follow the principles outlined in the original program. List after list of items for him to accomplish. Familiar?

Well worn ‘jokes’ about women are challenged in a serious chapter that must impinge on most of us. How often, to return to the introduction, have we wanted to be nice, to leave horrible behaviour and words unchallenged? This book tells the truth – they are women hating jokes. Which, of course, when flipped, are easy to see them for what they are. Raising, of course, the question, why? The section on ‘Proper Satire’ is a joy to read. And heart breaking.

There is a bibliography and notes for each chapter. Both make excellent additional reading, with descriptions of the sources adding valuable information about the further reading that sounds accessible and engaging.

While reading the Facebook version of this writer’s work is both fun and infuriating, the warmth that I felt for this courageous and moving writer while reading Flipping Patriarchy was new. As she suggests, take the book in short bursts, I did this, to my relief. Relief, because reading such a strong advocacy for women and a changed world is not necessarily an easy read. But, lest this seems too serious, it is loads and loads of fun too.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately, as a woman, you cannot select 'default human' or 'standard person'. It is not on the list. Computer and patriarchy say no.

I keep dipping into parts of this book and it is genius and hilarious. Whenever I talk to someone about feminist issues, a lot of people say that I'm being over-dramatic about things that don't matter or will mention aspects of men's inequality (as if both issues can't exist at once). But this book has a simple solution: by swapping the roles of men and women within its examples, it points out the absurdity and thus issue with so many patriarchal issues in our society.

It includes everything from simple every day language to stereotypes and real-life situations. A lot of people say 'does it really matter?' but flipping the situation in its head reveals that, yes, it does actually matter because it reveals the ridiculousness of it all.

One example is how girls' and women's clothing is emblazoned with messaged to 'smile' and 'be kind' and to 'love,' which is nowhere to be seen on men's or boy's clothing. Sounds like a silly criticism, but the book gives an example of this being on boys' and mens' clothing instead:

As you walk out of the shop, you admire a smiling dad with a pretty beard holding hands with his two sons. all of them are wearing Love, Love, Love T-shirts with matching caps, the design enhanced with hearts, flowers and unicorns... The woman following behind, possibly the mother, is engrossed in her phone. She wears a plain hoody and jeans.

I love it. Simply reversing the language for men and women creates an absurd picture and there is the issue. Because the language and messages seep into important aspects of life, like how men and women are treated and what is expected of them. Why are we only telling women to be kind and happy? Should that not be a universal message? If an issue doesn't matter until you reverse the roles, then it does in fact matter.

100/10

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who are looking for satire, online, you have probably run across @themanwhohasitall

This anonymous writer is on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X, and once you have read her posts, you can only laugh, and try to play along, as she shows how absurd society’s ideas of what women should be like is flipped on its head. Examples such as wondering why Liam, a character often used, can’t get his wife to help him out with childcare, or with household chores, or just about anything.

This book continues these stories, but also has documentation from where she got them, with a ton of footnotes, showing how women have had to suffer, so why not flip the scrpt, and show how odd it sounds when we have it happen to men.

Online, it is a game to come up with the silliest responses to statements she posts as the ever frustrated “man who has it all” that just can’t catch a break in his world of women who treats him like a sex object and a servant.

Excellent book to follow up on her posts, and see where she is coming from. And funny to read and a bit sad at the same time, as satire often is.

I sort of wish this had been written, the way she writes her posts, with no research, or back story, just fully immersed in the idea of the world of testerical men not getting their way.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be available on the 6th of May 2025.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trope the author has adopted, of writing gender-reversed scenarios and comments to show how ridiculous and offensive sexist stereotypes are, is very effective. You think "Claire is a piece of sh*t and Liam should leave her" and then you realise that you are Claire and your wife is Liam and you need to change.

However, in this book, Man Who Has It All also tries to write "straight" feminism and I didn't find that anywhere near as powerful. In fact, I found her chapter on the pressures on women of "looking right" counter-productive. She gives examples of women's confidence being undermined by female journalists, advertisers and, then, on the grounds that these are matters men don't care about , puts the blame on men who read porn! The impression this gave me was that this is exclusively a problem of women bullying women and should be one area where men shouldn't be blamed. Of course if, as I did, you speak to any woman, you find that the issue is more complicated and that patriarchy does indeed play a big part.

She also doesn't seem to believe in the existence of women who hate men. Women who agree with Valerie Solanas are rarer than men who agree with Andrew Tate, but that doesn't mean they don't exist! Nor does she think any men have any reason to fear either sexual harassment or false accusations of harassment. Again, rarity does not mean non-existence.

The satire is excellent (and shocking) but the non-satire needs a better editor to firm up the arguments.

[Kelly Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

When an author advises you to read their book in little sessions, as Man Who Has It All does near the beginning of Flipping Patriarchy, readers would do well to listen. This book deals with heavy topics, and not only does reading it in segments give you time to ponder what you have read, it prevents you from experiencing overload.
I have been an occasional follower of the Man Who Has It All Facebook account, and have always found the posts to be bang on and amusing. The book is also those things, but it explores the subjects of discrimination and gaslighting, etc. of women far more deeply, making the book read more like a text book than satire. I found myself skimming sections as details of flipping the script on one point or another carried on far beyond the point where the author's point had been made.
This is a book that all men should be forced to read - because you know very few will read it without being made to. Perhaps include it in a school social studies curriculum, to open young minds and give conservatives everywhere another book to attempt to ban.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #FlippingPatriarchy.

[Taldragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An explosive satire of gender stereotypes that flips patriarchy on its head to highlight sexist double standards.

Exploring subjects like work and comedy, history and sport, the beauty industry and domesticity, anonymous author Man Who Has It All imagines a world in which men are bombarded with the same stereotypical bullshit as women. What if men's t-shirts were emblazoned with slogans encouraging them to be smiley, positive and kind? What if we laughed at jokes about fathers-in-law and male drivers? What if men's history was a niche topic? Behind the jokes about crazy cat gentlemen, testerical men and the 24-hour moustache, lies a deeper, darker message about language, power and control.

Smart and provocative, Man Who Has It All shines a powerful light on the prejudice ingrained in our society. Told through fictionalised scenarios and wider cultural analysis, this is a feminist handbook that will arm you against the patriarchy.

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gender-swap re-imagining of the white patriarchal world that's written with wit, charm, anecdotes, and plenty of research to back it up.

The author is the anonymous voice behind the social media accounts @manwhohasitall, and this book expands on the satirical posts they've been amusing us with since 2015.

Still relevant today, as the white patriarchal monolith continues on its seemingly undeterred path, the laughs keep flowing, and many readers will recognise the scenarios Claire and Liam find themselves in.

This was a very amusing read, but I'm very aware that it's written from the perspective of a white-privileged nuclear family.

It would be great to hear from the other perspectives and voices echoing through the void, too.


*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

the author recommends reading this in short chunks to avoid annoyance, rage, and repetition.... I ignored this advice as I had a few hours to spend in the sunshine and therefore did notice the repetition.... then again that is the point... same shit different day. This does highlight what every conscious woman knows and is probably a better book to get the men in your life to read otherwise it is very much a preaching to the choir situation. Personally I am incredibly lucky in my current elationships but can still see areas where the same crap is happening. .. highly recommended.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book i didn't know i needed. Of course we're all aware that our society favors men, but until it is blatantly illustrated in satire the way this book does it, even those of us who consider ourselves 'very aware' feminists don't grasp the entirety of the problem. absolutely eye-opening.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s amazing how engrained males biases are in our society. These essays about just flipping the tiles of males and females really hit home and bring this to life in a very scary way. Its best read but by not as otherwise it’s gets repetitive

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant as always. I hope some of the people who need to read this do so.

[Eleonora Voltolina]

Ho partecipato al crowdfunding per questo libro all'inizio del 2023: ci sono voluti più di due anni, ma finalmente me ne è arrivata una copia e mi appresto a leggerla!

[Isabelle]

Nothing against it. This is more of a “you’re preaching to the choir” kind of case and I’m not in the right mood to read things that’ll make me angry.

[Gabriela Knutson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book pissed me off. I liked it.

[Stinne Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vigtig bog om hvordan kønsroller er defineret skrevet med humor og glimt i øjet

[Annie Jarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like I was Ken entering the human world. Amazingly funny and astute. The chapter on the perfect winter coat was ace.