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Gesprekken met Simone de Beauvoir
Book by Schwarzer, Alice
Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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About the author
Alice Schwarzer
57 books29 followersAlice Schwarzer is a German journalist, a prominent contemporary feminist and founder and publisher of the feminist journal EMMA, as well as a columnist of Germany's best-selling tabloid, Bild.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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May 10, 2024this book was okay. it is a collection of five interviews between simone de beauvoir and alice schwarzer over a span of 10 years. it gives you many insights into simone de beauvoir's opinions on many topics, making it truly enriching in that regard.
However, I couldn't shake the thought that Simone's lifestyle was largely facilitated by her privileged background. Consider her ability to afford a hotel room indefinitely and her choice not to cohabit with her partner Sartre. These luxuries aren't (or weren't!) accessible to everyone, especially not all women. Criticizing women who were constrained by societal norms to marry, particularly given the historical context, seems unjust. Furthermore, Simone often critiques femininity, implying it's something women shouldn't aspire to, yet she did not apply the same scrutiny to men and their "male" nature.
also, some questions or statements from the interviewer alice schwarzer were very suggestive and hence confusing. for example, describing female homosexuality as a form of "political weapon" and as the "most radical form of the exclusion of men", implying that female homosexuality is not smth inherent or biological but merely political.
However, I couldn't shake the thought that Simone's lifestyle was largely facilitated by her privileged background. Consider her ability to afford a hotel room indefinitely and her choice not to cohabit with her partner Sartre. These luxuries aren't (or weren't!) accessible to everyone, especially not all women. Criticizing women who were constrained by societal norms to marry, particularly given the historical context, seems unjust. Furthermore, Simone often critiques femininity, implying it's something women shouldn't aspire to, yet she did not apply the same scrutiny to men and their "male" nature.
also, some questions or statements from the interviewer alice schwarzer were very suggestive and hence confusing. for example, describing female homosexuality as a form of "political weapon" and as the "most radical form of the exclusion of men", implying that female homosexuality is not smth inherent or biological but merely political.
June 18, 2010
It's so interesting to read Simone de Beauvoir's words, straight from the horse's mouth, as they say. This series of interviews spans approximately a decade, the decade after feminism as we know it (from the 60s/70s) had taken its political hold. Among other things, de Beauvoir comments on whether she is a feminist (yes), ideas from The Second Sex that she had revised, and the feminism-socialism connection(s) and differences. Interesting stuff!
December 22, 2021
I vaguely remember 'The Second Sex' being the bible of modern feminism, albeit I had read it at a time when some insights may not have been novel or perhaps even relevant.
Still, this read had been on my TBR ever since & it did not disappoint in the least.
Here Beauvoir is interviewed by Alice Schwarzer, a german journalist some 20-30 years after the publication of 'The Second Sex'.
Beauvoir interviews with candor on the issues of modern feminism, on her ideas regarding love, sexuality, marriage, aging & politics amongst others. She expands on her decision to not marry or have any children, her relationship with Sartre (he is present in some of the interviews).
This read literally puts one in a room with Beauvoir.
Thoroughly magnetic!!
Still, this read had been on my TBR ever since & it did not disappoint in the least.
Here Beauvoir is interviewed by Alice Schwarzer, a german journalist some 20-30 years after the publication of 'The Second Sex'.
Beauvoir interviews with candor on the issues of modern feminism, on her ideas regarding love, sexuality, marriage, aging & politics amongst others. She expands on her decision to not marry or have any children, her relationship with Sartre (he is present in some of the interviews).
This read literally puts one in a room with Beauvoir.
Thoroughly magnetic!!
May 6, 2020
Etwas rückstandig/ veraltete Sichtweisen (zB Mutterschaft o. Hausfrauendasein = Versklavung), aber ein großartiger Einblick in Simone de Beauvoirs Weltanschauung in den 70er/80er Jahren
July 10, 2025
wel interessant hoor. zowel lovend als kritisch naar socialisme/communisme en genderrollen. de vorm is gewoon zo saai. maar wel interessant. ja leuk.
June 4, 2018
পুরা বইখানা মূলত সাক্ষাৎকার। এইখানে সাক্ষাৎকার নিয়েছেন জার্মান সাংবাদিক এবং নারীবাদী ওয়ার্কার অ্যালিস শোয়ারজার। আর তিনি যার সাক্ষাৎকার নিছেন তাঁর নাম হল সিমন দ্য বোভোয়ার। সিমনের কথা মনে হয় আমরা সবাই কম বেশি জানি। ১৯৪৯ সালে সিমনের প্রকাশিত The Second Sex বইটা সারা দুনিয়াতেই সাড়া ফেলছিল। এবং সাড়া ফেলার মূল কারণ হল বইটা নারীবাদীদের কাছে সেই সময় এবং পরবর্তী অনেক বছর ধরে বাইবেল স্বরূপ ধারণা করা হয়েছে।
After The Second Sex বইখানা মূলত ১০ বছরকাল সিমনের দেয়া অ্যালিসের কাছে গৃহীত সাক্ষাৎকার। এইখানে উঠে এসেছে সিমনের নানা সময়ের ভাবনা, লেখালেখি, যাপিত জীবনের কথা। সিমনের একটা কথা কোট করে যেতে চাইতেছি,
"মেয়ে হিসেবে কেউ জন্মায় না, তারা তা হয়ে উঠে"
After The Second Sex বইখানা মূলত ১০ বছরকাল সিমনের দেয়া অ্যালিসের কাছে গৃহীত সাক্ষাৎকার। এইখানে উঠে এসেছে সিমনের নানা সময়ের ভাবনা, লেখালেখি, যাপিত জীবনের কথা। সিমনের একটা কথা কোট করে যেতে চাইতেছি,
"মেয়ে হিসেবে কেউ জন্মায় না, তারা তা হয়ে উঠে"
September 18, 2019
Me deu vontade de ler Simone, me impressionou a facilidade dela com as palavras, tão certeira, tão direta. Depois que terminei passei na biblioteca e peguei O Segundo Sexo e outro dela, vamos ver, não acredito que demorei tanto pra ler Simone!
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September 5, 2024The more I come to understand about societal norms of the past, the more I feel very little has changed. While rapid technological advancements have revolutionised the style with which we live and work, the social issues Simone de Beauvoir discusses are still an issue today. We went from horse-drawn cart to electric car so fast, but somehow discussing menstruation is still often considered a squeamish topic. It surprised me to hear de Beauvoir say that her society has grown comfortable with the subject of menstruation, because if that was the case in the 1970s, then why is menstruation still an uncomfortable topic fifty years down the line? Little things like this always shock me.
The discussion of what actually promotes equality was very interesting. I liked what she had to say about the way that women are synonymous with mothers in the eye of the public, and the pitfalls of certain arguments, for instance the whole "I don't want to simply breed canon fodder" as a 'womens' rejection of war, when really it can only apply to mothers. The discussion of the 'eternal feminine' was also super interesting; de Beauvoir talks of a societal trend towards the eternal feminine as a way to navigate the differences between men and women, and it was amusing because I feel I have already wobbled the line between Simone's idea of the truly equal woman, and the desire for the eternal feminine. I once wanted to be my own person so badly, to be equal to men and separate from the feminine, and I broke myself trying to be an ideal, ending up as a ghost instead. Now I want to be feminine, to be fundamentally different from men but respected to the same degree. I want to be free to express my feelings and be angry with the people who use the word 'sensitive' as an insult. I want to be close to nature and wear flowing outfits, and I want to turn my back on brutal work and politics. It's too much for one little bean to bear. But by following this desire to be emotional and feminine, am I contributing to the lack of progression in true equality between the sexes? I don't know ...
I think one of the key imbalances lies in the physical capacity of men and women. Our mental faculties are not determined by our sex, but our muscle density and physical capabilities are definitely affected by it. In my heart, I would happily be a horticulturalist, or some other outdoor job which requires intensive labour. I like to do physical things. And though being female doesn't stop me (there are many women in existence whom are stronger than the average man—there is more variety within the female population than there is in a comparison with another group), it is more difficult to build and maintain the strength required to keep a physical job.
This is also a question in personal safety. If someone attacks me, I have no way of protecting myself. My security is rooted in my ability to manipulate others into believing that I am worth the time and energy it takes to protect me from the malevolence of others, because I do not have the strength to take on a six foot man even if he has never seen the inside of a gym in his entire life. I am weak and vulnerable by comparison, so how can I ever be equal? I wonder what Simone de Beauvoir would have said to my question? Maybe it is not applicable to her areas of focus, she was more steeped in literature and legalities.
I have so much respect for de Beauvoir, the way she lived her life and practiced what she preached. If her views fall a bit short of where family and femininity are concerned, it is not from a place of dislike, but a thorough understanding of what was required to create change within her personal zeitgeist. I think it is incredible the vision she had for the future, and the foresight she had in understanding that her time to inspire change had passed. The inevitable discovery that a person has grown old does not sit well with many individuals, but Simone accepts it with such grace. I hope to be anything like her in old age. And finally, her philosophy of equality is more reasonable and nuanced than many of the idiots calling themselves feminists today, so even if I have a few questions, I'll side with her any day.
The discussion of what actually promotes equality was very interesting. I liked what she had to say about the way that women are synonymous with mothers in the eye of the public, and the pitfalls of certain arguments, for instance the whole "I don't want to simply breed canon fodder" as a 'womens' rejection of war, when really it can only apply to mothers. The discussion of the 'eternal feminine' was also super interesting; de Beauvoir talks of a societal trend towards the eternal feminine as a way to navigate the differences between men and women, and it was amusing because I feel I have already wobbled the line between Simone's idea of the truly equal woman, and the desire for the eternal feminine. I once wanted to be my own person so badly, to be equal to men and separate from the feminine, and I broke myself trying to be an ideal, ending up as a ghost instead. Now I want to be feminine, to be fundamentally different from men but respected to the same degree. I want to be free to express my feelings and be angry with the people who use the word 'sensitive' as an insult. I want to be close to nature and wear flowing outfits, and I want to turn my back on brutal work and politics. It's too much for one little bean to bear. But by following this desire to be emotional and feminine, am I contributing to the lack of progression in true equality between the sexes? I don't know ...
I think one of the key imbalances lies in the physical capacity of men and women. Our mental faculties are not determined by our sex, but our muscle density and physical capabilities are definitely affected by it. In my heart, I would happily be a horticulturalist, or some other outdoor job which requires intensive labour. I like to do physical things. And though being female doesn't stop me (there are many women in existence whom are stronger than the average man—there is more variety within the female population than there is in a comparison with another group), it is more difficult to build and maintain the strength required to keep a physical job.
This is also a question in personal safety. If someone attacks me, I have no way of protecting myself. My security is rooted in my ability to manipulate others into believing that I am worth the time and energy it takes to protect me from the malevolence of others, because I do not have the strength to take on a six foot man even if he has never seen the inside of a gym in his entire life. I am weak and vulnerable by comparison, so how can I ever be equal? I wonder what Simone de Beauvoir would have said to my question? Maybe it is not applicable to her areas of focus, she was more steeped in literature and legalities.
I have so much respect for de Beauvoir, the way she lived her life and practiced what she preached. If her views fall a bit short of where family and femininity are concerned, it is not from a place of dislike, but a thorough understanding of what was required to create change within her personal zeitgeist. I think it is incredible the vision she had for the future, and the foresight she had in understanding that her time to inspire change had passed. The inevitable discovery that a person has grown old does not sit well with many individuals, but Simone accepts it with such grace. I hope to be anything like her in old age. And finally, her philosophy of equality is more reasonable and nuanced than many of the idiots calling themselves feminists today, so even if I have a few questions, I'll side with her any day.
November 27, 2023
Simone de Beauvoir. De legendarische gesprekken met Alice Schwarzer.
Wie kent er de Beauvoir niet!? Maar ken je haar echt? Of ken je haar enkel bij naam? Als partner van Sartre? Als schrijver van De tweede sekse?
In 1986 stierf Simone de Beauvoir maar op papier is ze nog springlevend. Haar ideeën, boeken, standpunten, uitspraken blijven mensen (voornamelijk feministen) beroeren. Jammer genoeg ook omdat er sinds haar dood op veel vlakken, voor vrouwen, nog niet veel veranderd is.
Niet enkel als schrijver maar ook als persoon was ze best controversieel: biseksueel, niet gehuwd maar wel in een open relatie met Sartre, geen kinderen,… allemaal dingen die voor een vrouw ongehoord waren. En die in sommige kringen jammer genoeg nog steeds niet oké zijn.
Het boeiende aan dit boek is dat je een idee krijgt van de vrouw achter het icoon. Schwarzer praatte over een periode van 10 jaar (1972-1982) geregeld met de Beauvoir; ze leerden elkaar beter kennen en hadden daardoor ook intiemere gesprekken. Doorheen de jaren merk je ook verschuivingen in het denken en in de uitspraken van beide vrouwen. Heel boeiend.
Een iconisch boek dat elke feministe van nu moet gelezen hebben.
Wie kent er de Beauvoir niet!? Maar ken je haar echt? Of ken je haar enkel bij naam? Als partner van Sartre? Als schrijver van De tweede sekse?
In 1986 stierf Simone de Beauvoir maar op papier is ze nog springlevend. Haar ideeën, boeken, standpunten, uitspraken blijven mensen (voornamelijk feministen) beroeren. Jammer genoeg ook omdat er sinds haar dood op veel vlakken, voor vrouwen, nog niet veel veranderd is.
Niet enkel als schrijver maar ook als persoon was ze best controversieel: biseksueel, niet gehuwd maar wel in een open relatie met Sartre, geen kinderen,… allemaal dingen die voor een vrouw ongehoord waren. En die in sommige kringen jammer genoeg nog steeds niet oké zijn.
Het boeiende aan dit boek is dat je een idee krijgt van de vrouw achter het icoon. Schwarzer praatte over een periode van 10 jaar (1972-1982) geregeld met de Beauvoir; ze leerden elkaar beter kennen en hadden daardoor ook intiemere gesprekken. Doorheen de jaren merk je ook verschuivingen in het denken en in de uitspraken van beide vrouwen. Heel boeiend.
Een iconisch boek dat elke feministe van nu moet gelezen hebben.
March 19, 2024
It´s nice to see simone de beauvoir in a different light, specially whenever she told fun facts about herself! I sometimes didn´t like the questions alice made, though the main idea was well thought and transmitted, it felt that in some questions alice was intentionally, or even unintentionally, guiding simone to what her answer should be, although simone answer however she liked, even saying to alice when she thought alice was wrong.
October 12, 2025
A fantastic set of interviews that provides a surface explanation to some of Simon de Beauviors theory as well as how her opinion has changed, particularly in regards to the relation between leftist movements more broadly and the feminist movement. Many awesome nuggests of wisdom. Tends to repeat itself however and is very short
August 23, 2025
Loved reading these interviews!! In fact I think I enjoy it more than reading Simone’s writings because it feels more authentic. Particularly enjoyed the interview with Sartre as well where you were able to see the dynamic between them!
April 7, 2023
Je mets 3 car super top pour mon mémoire
July 7, 2025
Ganz interessant, mehr fällt mir akut nicht dazu ein
August 30, 2025
Interessante Einführung für Simone de Beauvoir, man will hiernach auf jeden Fall mehr über diese Frau erfahren. Sehr direkte und interessante Themen, die einen zum Nachdenken bewegen.
July 9, 2013
Die Interviews und Gespräche zwischen Schwarzer und De Beauvoir im Zeitraum von 1972-1982 zeigen Simone de Beauvoir als existentialistische Philosophin, Schriftstellerin, Feministin und private Person. So kommt auch Beauvoirs lebenslanger Partner Jean-Paul Sartre in einem Interview vor, in welchem er und Beauvoir u.a. über die besondere Art ihrer Liebesbeziehung sinnieren. Eine schöne Auswahl und interessante Einblicke in das Denken und Leben Beauvoirs.
December 2, 2009
ein sehr schönes buch, das die grundsätze des feminismus und die geschichte der frauenbewegung in einer wunderschönen freundschaft verpackt beschreibt. einfach zu lesen, und für alle, die nicht das nötige durchhalte vermögen besitzen, eine von Beauvoirs Theorien zu lesen, sich aber dafür interessieren.
May 5, 2011
This book was okay. I did learn some interesting things about Beauvoir, such as she didn't consider herself a feminist until later in her life, and she had an abortion during her lifetime. I think I would have appreciated the book more if I had previously heard of the feminist philosopher who had interviewed her. But I think I would prefer to read Beauvoir's autobiography.
December 22, 2025
Unter Vorbehalt: against TERFs
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