The Male Complaint: The Manosphere and Misogyny Online

by Simon Copland

Inspired by leaders such as Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson, the online Manosphere has exploded in recent years. Dedicated to anti-feminism, these communities have orchestrated online campaigns of misogynistic harassment, with some individuals going as far as committing violent terrorist attacks.

Although the Manosphere has become a focus point of the media, researchers and governments alike, discussions tend to either over-sensationalize the community or offer simplistic explanations for their existence. This book uses a mixture of historical and economic analysis, alongside actual Manosphere content, to delve deeper. With The Male Complaint, Simon James Copland explains how the Manosphere has developed and why it appeals to so many men. He argues that the Manosphere is not an aberration, but is deeply embedded within mainstream, neoliberal, social structures. For a cohort of alienated men, the promise of community provides a space of understanding, connection and purpose. 

This insightful book dares to dig into the corners of incel communities and online spaces where misogyny thrives. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand, and do something about, this growing and worrying phenomenon.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2025

Reviews

[Matthew Bowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening, original, and deeply researched piece of work that challenged how I thought about the logic and the harms of the manosphere.

[Lauren Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been chipping away at The Male Complaint for a while, as it's quite a content-heavy read - but I'm glad I stuck with it. The book explores how and why some men are drawn to the 'manosphere' (i.e., the Andrew Tate/Jordan Peterson-esque bubble). Copland stresses the importance of unpacking the appeal of the manosphere to those who are influenced by it as a starting point for how we might respond to this digital entity and its real-world implications. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain greater insight into internet-based misogyny.

[Marlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

bit basic. the analysis of the manosphere feels pretty nailed to a pretty rudimentary framework and political analysis (capitalism bad) and lacks texture, each chapter is more stapled to a conclusion than exploratory, granular, expansive or fresh in its insight. has just enough first hand research to justify the read, i enjoyed it most for the contextual description of the terms of interaction and the established norms that inform expression in the spaces. the "what to do about it" part was pretty limp. if anybody talking about reactionaries would move the lens a bit to see the other trends in culture and gender relations rn instead of imagining an exogenous educative influence that could cure young men they might find more interesting answers.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most interesting books i’ve ever read. my understanding of incels used to be surface-level, ie. blaming women because they can’t get sex and no women ever bother to look at them etc. but copland’s book helps to weave in the role that capitalism and neoliberalism plays in the makings of such movements. its interesting to see how such movements are mostly systemic in nature, even the participants themselves might be aware of it but nevertheless, choose to put the blame on something closer to home - women in their lives. definitely a good sociological book on how structures have inherent impacts on individuals

[Sioned Heal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative exploration of something I have been avoiding learning about for ages! Delivered with compassion for the reader. It's nice to have the root causes of most societal issues spelled out for me once again.

[Charity]

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