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Shrewed: A Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls
Why are there so few women in politics? Why is public space, whether it’s the street or social media, still so inhospitable to women? What does Carrie Fisher have to do with Mary Wollstonecraft? And why is a wedding ceremony Satan’s playground?
These are some of the questions that bestselling author and acclaimed journalist Elizabeth Renzetti examines in her new collection of essays. Drawing upon Renzetti’s decades of reporting on feminist issues, Shrewed is a book about feminism’s crossroads. From Hillary Clinton’s failed campaign to the quest for equal pay, from the lessons we can learn from old ladies to the future of feminism in a turbulent world, Renzetti takes a pointed, witty look at how far we’ve come — and how far we have to go.
If Nellie McClung and Erma Bombeck had an IVF baby, this book would be the result. If they’d lived at the same time. And in the same country. And if IVF had been invented. Well, you get the point.
These are some of the questions that bestselling author and acclaimed journalist Elizabeth Renzetti examines in her new collection of essays. Drawing upon Renzetti’s decades of reporting on feminist issues, Shrewed is a book about feminism’s crossroads. From Hillary Clinton’s failed campaign to the quest for equal pay, from the lessons we can learn from old ladies to the future of feminism in a turbulent world, Renzetti takes a pointed, witty look at how far we’ve come — and how far we have to go.
If Nellie McClung and Erma Bombeck had an IVF baby, this book would be the result. If they’d lived at the same time. And in the same country. And if IVF had been invented. Well, you get the point.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2018
32 people are currently reading
1716 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Renzetti
7 books76 followersIt all began in a small sod hut on the Prairies .... no, it didn't. It began with my failure to do well in math, which led to journalism school, which led to the Globe and Mail, which led to interviewing dozens (hundreds? it felt that way sometimes) of authors, which led to this run-on sentence that would have caused my first journalism professor to cut off my typing digits.
In short, I was one of those kids whose best friends were fictional characters. I walked into poles regularly because I read as I walked, and I was a better reader than a walker.
Then I was a journalist, first in Toronto and then in Los Angeles and London for the Globe and Mail, sometimes known as the Mope and Pail, Canada's national newspaper. All along, I continued to find ways to interview writers and study their alchemy from up close. How did they manage to turn the dull stuff of everyday life into the gold I read on the page? It seemed like something only a magician could do. It seemed like something I could never do.
Yet somehow I did, and there's a novel with a very bright pink cover to prove it (Based on a True Story, House of Anansi, June 2014).
It's a comedy. Or a tragi-comedy. I wish there were a better way to encapsulate laughter with bitterness, or disappointment, at its core. I wish I could coin such a word, the way Tyra Banks, in her genius, has given the English language "smize" (smile with your eyes.) If anyone has such a neologism at hand, please let me know. In the meanwhile, read. Enjoy. The two should be synonymous.
In short, I was one of those kids whose best friends were fictional characters. I walked into poles regularly because I read as I walked, and I was a better reader than a walker.
Then I was a journalist, first in Toronto and then in Los Angeles and London for the Globe and Mail, sometimes known as the Mope and Pail, Canada's national newspaper. All along, I continued to find ways to interview writers and study their alchemy from up close. How did they manage to turn the dull stuff of everyday life into the gold I read on the page? It seemed like something only a magician could do. It seemed like something I could never do.
Yet somehow I did, and there's a novel with a very bright pink cover to prove it (Based on a True Story, House of Anansi, June 2014).
It's a comedy. Or a tragi-comedy. I wish there were a better way to encapsulate laughter with bitterness, or disappointment, at its core. I wish I could coin such a word, the way Tyra Banks, in her genius, has given the English language "smize" (smile with your eyes.) If anyone has such a neologism at hand, please let me know. In the meanwhile, read. Enjoy. The two should be synonymous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 28, 2018
A quick though emotional read of Elizabeth Renzetti's personal and professional experiences with misogyny, though she does write a little also about the extra hurdles and barriers in place for women of colour and those in the LGBTQ community. And this is written from a North American perspective, so there isn't much about women throughout the world. That said, Renzetti's does cover, in an accessible manner, what it was like growing up and working as a journalist and what she encountered while doing so.
December 27, 2017
I finished this book and immediately felt like I'd just made a new best friend - happy, optimistic and understood. It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to read about other women's experiences so that we know we are not alone. One essay in Shrewed talks about that asshole voice in your head that tries to talk you out of moving forward, and offers advice for how to tell it to shut the hell up. Another essay talks about how achieving 'balance' isn't aspirational because all of the amazing life moments happen when we're floating, flying, unbalanced. Women are incredible and we need more than ever to lift each other up and learn from one another. I would recommend this book to any and every woman who's been struggling - especially this past year - or looking for suggestions on how to change the status quo. Buy this for your friends, mothers, sisters, daughters and most importantly yourself. Elizabeth Renzetti has created a manual, a tool, a manifesto -- and you're going to want to read it.
May 7, 2018
A quick read about sexism and the lives of women with some interesting observations and insights. I found myself agreeing with a lot of the author had to say... but that the book didn't have all that much new to say.
As with many books like this, I found this to be kind of an echo chamber -- yes, I agreed with a lot of what Renzetti had to say, but I'm not one of the ones whose mind needs changing, who needs convincing to join her side. I don't mean to direct these comments at this book specifically, but it has made me think more about whether I'll pick up similar books in the future, and is symptomatic of this sub-genre (or whatever you want to call it) as a whole. I recently got Misogynation: The True Scale of Sexism out of the library and took it straight back after only reading the introduction. Because I knew that the content would just further dispirit me - I'm not someone who needs to stop being misogynistic or change my behaviour, and I realised that reading it would just make me more frustrated at how things still aren't changing, with regard to street harassment, workplace sexism and the like. Authors of these types of books are preaching to the choir, and unfortunately the people who really need to change the way they look at things or are part of the problem are unlikely to ever pick up a book on the topic.
I didn't mean for this review to turn into a mini-rant but writing out my thoughts just made me think about all of these things. This is a well-written and at times amusing collection of essays about the lives of women and girls, the things we experience and the challenges we deal with in today's society. I'm just not 100% convinced on how necessary it was.
As with many books like this, I found this to be kind of an echo chamber -- yes, I agreed with a lot of what Renzetti had to say, but I'm not one of the ones whose mind needs changing, who needs convincing to join her side. I don't mean to direct these comments at this book specifically, but it has made me think more about whether I'll pick up similar books in the future, and is symptomatic of this sub-genre (or whatever you want to call it) as a whole. I recently got Misogynation: The True Scale of Sexism out of the library and took it straight back after only reading the introduction. Because I knew that the content would just further dispirit me - I'm not someone who needs to stop being misogynistic or change my behaviour, and I realised that reading it would just make me more frustrated at how things still aren't changing, with regard to street harassment, workplace sexism and the like. Authors of these types of books are preaching to the choir, and unfortunately the people who really need to change the way they look at things or are part of the problem are unlikely to ever pick up a book on the topic.
I didn't mean for this review to turn into a mini-rant but writing out my thoughts just made me think about all of these things. This is a well-written and at times amusing collection of essays about the lives of women and girls, the things we experience and the challenges we deal with in today's society. I'm just not 100% convinced on how necessary it was.
March 15, 2018
Shrewed: A Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls
Elizabeth Renzetti
Rating: 4/5
Note:Special thanks to House of Anansi for providing an ARC for review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this compilation of Elizabeth Renzetti's essays on feminism. There was never a moment where I felt like I was being told off for not rolling up my sleeves, picking up my picket sign, and shouting at the government through a loudspeaker about the injustice many women have to face. Instead, Renzetti's work is meant to create more awareness about questions you should ask yourself, regardless of what gender you identify as, about women's roles and influences in politics (and many other industries dominated by men) and social media.
In a society where every woman is being told that they're either being too much of a feminist or not doing enough as one to support our fellow woman, it is difficult to choose a nice balance in the face of such criticism. However, Renzetti does a wonderful job highlighting the progress many resilient women have made throughout the ages. With every issue such as online bullying, harassment in the workforce or the misogynistic dialogue of an ignorant being, the focus remains on the positive that also comes in hand: women refusing to back down or be silenced and scared into submission.
This was an uplifting and very humorous read that includes short anecdotes of Renzetti's own tenacious mother and letters to her children. She's unafraid to touch upon topics like game gate and white feminism (even calling herself out!) I was highly anticipating this book and am so appreciative the publisher's sent an ARC to me. This is one I'll be recommending to students.
Elizabeth Renzetti
Rating: 4/5
Note:Special thanks to House of Anansi for providing an ARC for review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this compilation of Elizabeth Renzetti's essays on feminism. There was never a moment where I felt like I was being told off for not rolling up my sleeves, picking up my picket sign, and shouting at the government through a loudspeaker about the injustice many women have to face. Instead, Renzetti's work is meant to create more awareness about questions you should ask yourself, regardless of what gender you identify as, about women's roles and influences in politics (and many other industries dominated by men) and social media.
In a society where every woman is being told that they're either being too much of a feminist or not doing enough as one to support our fellow woman, it is difficult to choose a nice balance in the face of such criticism. However, Renzetti does a wonderful job highlighting the progress many resilient women have made throughout the ages. With every issue such as online bullying, harassment in the workforce or the misogynistic dialogue of an ignorant being, the focus remains on the positive that also comes in hand: women refusing to back down or be silenced and scared into submission.
This was an uplifting and very humorous read that includes short anecdotes of Renzetti's own tenacious mother and letters to her children. She's unafraid to touch upon topics like game gate and white feminism (even calling herself out!) I was highly anticipating this book and am so appreciative the publisher's sent an ARC to me. This is one I'll be recommending to students.
March 23, 2018
Delightful and witty (but also sometimes very moving) collection of feminist essays. Not new ground, but enjoyable, thought-provoking, timely - that good stuff. Highlights included Renzetti's writing about her mother (a nurse and single parent in the 70s and, from the sounds of it, a real hoot in her 80s), her interviews with interesting women including PD James, and her thoughts on women in public life. Looking forward to reading some of the other books she mentions!
February 6, 2018
God bless Liz Renzetti
July 25, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this collection of feminist essays. They were interesting, well written, funny, and thought provoking. I hadn't heard of Elizabeth Renzetti before I read her book but I'll certainly keep an eye out for articles by her now.
I thought the essay on that self doubting voice in your head and how it puts you down and prevents you from trying things was really good. It's nice to know other women hear that voice too! I also liked Renzetti's observations on how women compete to see who's the busiest and use being overwhelmed with responsibilities as a badge of honour. I've certainly seen that happen and I hate that game. The essay about the recent American election was fascinating. I was appalled to read about the hate mongering that happened and the venom that was expressed towards Hillary Clinton. But it was also wonderful to read about the Women's March on Washington that followed.
Overall, this is a very strong addition to feminist literature that is both fresh and modern but also pays homage to establised feminist works. I suspect that the style of these essays would particularly appeal to younger women.
I thought the essay on that self doubting voice in your head and how it puts you down and prevents you from trying things was really good. It's nice to know other women hear that voice too! I also liked Renzetti's observations on how women compete to see who's the busiest and use being overwhelmed with responsibilities as a badge of honour. I've certainly seen that happen and I hate that game. The essay about the recent American election was fascinating. I was appalled to read about the hate mongering that happened and the venom that was expressed towards Hillary Clinton. But it was also wonderful to read about the Women's March on Washington that followed.
Overall, this is a very strong addition to feminist literature that is both fresh and modern but also pays homage to establised feminist works. I suspect that the style of these essays would particularly appeal to younger women.
March 6, 2025
Finished just in time for International Women’s Day. This book was published in 2018 and it’s distressing that seven years later, so many of her observations are more concerning than ever before.
July 11, 2022
Elizabeth Renzetti’s essays made me laugh aloud and want to weep. A great read.
February 24, 2018
A wise, witty combination of autobiography and feminism. I like how Renzetti touched (albeit briefly) on how the patriarchy also negatively impacts boys, and how we need (and how we white women are finally waking up to) intersectionality in feminism. It was a quick, engrossing read and I laughed out loud a few times, which is always a bonus in my book.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2018
3.5 stars. Well written look at feminism in 2017. This book is at times both discouraging and encouraging (and also, quite funny from time to time). All in all an interesting book, but really nothing terriby new - sadly.
October 19, 2018
A thoughtful, feminist, fun set of essays. Particularly enjoyable for the fact they are coming from a Canadian author and mostly Canadian perspective. I also enjoy the reading list that could be built from books mentioned within the book.
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December 3, 2019I come away from this book more frustrated than I had thought I would. As many other reviewers have mentioned, this book exists as a kind of echo chamber, telling the readers things we mostly already know if we are somewhat in-the-loop in regards to mainstream feminism. I have not lived as a woman, however, so these essays/mini memoirs give me a little insight into what it must be like, which I can appreciate.
Before I start the criticism in earnest, I want to state how much I appreciate Renzetti's writing style as a whole. I found it easy to read, and her narratives were fun. I enjoyed the essays and the new perspective it provided me, and for that, I am thankful.
However, my main gripe is how much the author attempts to tote her book as essays on feminism for all women, instead of just for her. It appears to me as if she is being inclusive to obtain a broader audience instead of being inclusive because she truly believes that's what the future of feminism is. Most obviously, on the cover is a woman of color flexing her arm. Looking at a photo of the author, she is very clearly white, and using a person of color to represent her work seems disingenuous. However, I will cede that this could possibly be a publishing decision that Renzetti did not make herself, and so this alone would not be worth much concern.
However, within the text, there are multiple times where Renzetti uses language and examples that appear to be at best not genuine, and at worst transphobic. For example, right after applauding members of the LGBTQ+ community on an issue, she might say something about how women can stand in solidarity as a community in relation to issues regarding birth control, abortion, and people with vaginas in general. I acknowledge that people with vaginas have a rough time with health issues (to put it mildly), but it must be recognized that not all women have vaginas, and some men have vaginas, not to mention intersex folks who face a wholly different set of issues outside of normal ideas of gender and genitalia, and so the rhetoric around these things ought to be presented in a more respectful manner, in my opinion.
In relation to transgender issues, I also am not a fan of how she devotes a long passage of the book to supporting Germaine Greer. To her credit, Renzetti notes the controversy Greer has attracted and openly disagrees with Greer's opinions within the book. However, she still regards Greer as a personal hero. I must acknowledge that no one is perfect, but this seems like an error grave enough on Greer's part to warrant omission from Renzetti's book.
In total, I appreciate the net positive this book has added to my life and to my understanding of the human condition. I just feel as if this book continued some of the outdated traditions of older feminist ideologies and fell into a trap in that sense. I still look forward to what she might publish next.
Before I start the criticism in earnest, I want to state how much I appreciate Renzetti's writing style as a whole. I found it easy to read, and her narratives were fun. I enjoyed the essays and the new perspective it provided me, and for that, I am thankful.
However, my main gripe is how much the author attempts to tote her book as essays on feminism for all women, instead of just for her. It appears to me as if she is being inclusive to obtain a broader audience instead of being inclusive because she truly believes that's what the future of feminism is. Most obviously, on the cover is a woman of color flexing her arm. Looking at a photo of the author, she is very clearly white, and using a person of color to represent her work seems disingenuous. However, I will cede that this could possibly be a publishing decision that Renzetti did not make herself, and so this alone would not be worth much concern.
However, within the text, there are multiple times where Renzetti uses language and examples that appear to be at best not genuine, and at worst transphobic. For example, right after applauding members of the LGBTQ+ community on an issue, she might say something about how women can stand in solidarity as a community in relation to issues regarding birth control, abortion, and people with vaginas in general. I acknowledge that people with vaginas have a rough time with health issues (to put it mildly), but it must be recognized that not all women have vaginas, and some men have vaginas, not to mention intersex folks who face a wholly different set of issues outside of normal ideas of gender and genitalia, and so the rhetoric around these things ought to be presented in a more respectful manner, in my opinion.
In relation to transgender issues, I also am not a fan of how she devotes a long passage of the book to supporting Germaine Greer. To her credit, Renzetti notes the controversy Greer has attracted and openly disagrees with Greer's opinions within the book. However, she still regards Greer as a personal hero. I must acknowledge that no one is perfect, but this seems like an error grave enough on Greer's part to warrant omission from Renzetti's book.
In total, I appreciate the net positive this book has added to my life and to my understanding of the human condition. I just feel as if this book continued some of the outdated traditions of older feminist ideologies and fell into a trap in that sense. I still look forward to what she might publish next.
May 6, 2021
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Shrewed by Elizabeth Renzetti is a cannoli. Every bite comes with a solid crunch from the fried pastry dough, and the lightly sweet cream filling presses out from its containment behind tiny chocolate chips.
Bestselling author and acclaimed journalist Elizabeth Renzetti draws on years of reporting on feminist issues to share a collection of essays that ask tough questions like "why are there so few women in politics?" and "why is public space inhospitable to women?" With each essay, she shows how far we've come and how far we've got to go. Elizabeth Renzetti presents her thoughts and feelings with a sizzling wit.
I forget how I stumbled upon this book, but I apparently put a hold on Shrewed through my Libby app. I'm glad that I did. To be absolutely honest, I grew up really conservative, and those liberals were the crazy ones. And yet, as I pick up books like Shrewed and others, I'm beginning to see the other side of the story as well, recognizing that we are all striving to our own definition of a better future. I'd love to see more women and more diversity in places of power. I'd like to see what we could do together.
A key line that stopped me mid-listen was when Elizabeth Renzetti shared the story of Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. And she wrote, "She chose her voice over silence."
Shrewed explores themes of self-empowerment, motherhood, heartbreak, history, and dreams of the future.
If you enjoy reading about women, political issues, and more, Shrewed by Elizabeth Renzetti is for you.
Bestselling author and acclaimed journalist Elizabeth Renzetti draws on years of reporting on feminist issues to share a collection of essays that ask tough questions like "why are there so few women in politics?" and "why is public space inhospitable to women?" With each essay, she shows how far we've come and how far we've got to go. Elizabeth Renzetti presents her thoughts and feelings with a sizzling wit.
I forget how I stumbled upon this book, but I apparently put a hold on Shrewed through my Libby app. I'm glad that I did. To be absolutely honest, I grew up really conservative, and those liberals were the crazy ones. And yet, as I pick up books like Shrewed and others, I'm beginning to see the other side of the story as well, recognizing that we are all striving to our own definition of a better future. I'd love to see more women and more diversity in places of power. I'd like to see what we could do together.
A key line that stopped me mid-listen was when Elizabeth Renzetti shared the story of Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. And she wrote, "She chose her voice over silence."
Shrewed explores themes of self-empowerment, motherhood, heartbreak, history, and dreams of the future.
If you enjoy reading about women, political issues, and more, Shrewed by Elizabeth Renzetti is for you.
March 23, 2018
A very interesting collection of essays. I enjoyed this book immensely, but was a little let down by the final essay. I did like what she share about other women who gave commencement speeches but found hers a little drab. I think she could do better. But then maybe she didn't want to give away the good stuff before she got asked to give the actual speech.
One day maybe that will be true. Maybe she will give that speech and I hope like anything we get more women in leadership, not just in politics but all over the world. So many spaces for women leaders to help make good change happen. I only worry about her analogy to the futuristic comedy sketch in the second last chapter that instead of it taking only minutes to finish the summit, there won't even be a summit to have. I rarely think of myself as a a pessimistic individual, but the way of the future seems more like we are doomed and if anything, once a women is in power, all the shambles and disgrace of past governement will come crashing down on her head with them yelling "it's her fault." Even though it will just be the mess they left us.
I will try to be an optimist for my god-daughter, and continue to care for the environment for her to grow old in, but I cannot fully image a rosy future with some of the important piece Elizabeth points out.
One day maybe that will be true. Maybe she will give that speech and I hope like anything we get more women in leadership, not just in politics but all over the world. So many spaces for women leaders to help make good change happen. I only worry about her analogy to the futuristic comedy sketch in the second last chapter that instead of it taking only minutes to finish the summit, there won't even be a summit to have. I rarely think of myself as a a pessimistic individual, but the way of the future seems more like we are doomed and if anything, once a women is in power, all the shambles and disgrace of past governement will come crashing down on her head with them yelling "it's her fault." Even though it will just be the mess they left us.
I will try to be an optimist for my god-daughter, and continue to care for the environment for her to grow old in, but I cannot fully image a rosy future with some of the important piece Elizabeth points out.
January 13, 2019
Elizabeth Renzetti, on imaging if she’d be invited to give a convocation address: “The graduates of tomorrow — particularly the women, at whom this book is aimed — should be thinking about living large. Yes, that’s what I’d talk about, if only some enterprising college administrator would ask me to expound on the topic....Do not allow yourself to be diminished. Expand like a flower, like a heated gas, like a beautiful rising loaf. Expand into yourself, and never apologize for it.”
Once this book gets around, she will, undoubtedly, be invited. Clearheaded and calm, but with passion seeping through, Renzetti, a long-time columnist for The Globe and Mail, expounds on many topics, always with interest. One strongly feminist white woman’s perspective.
Once this book gets around, she will, undoubtedly, be invited. Clearheaded and calm, but with passion seeping through, Renzetti, a long-time columnist for The Globe and Mail, expounds on many topics, always with interest. One strongly feminist white woman’s perspective.
February 28, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays about the challenges women face in society. Highlights include an analysis of work life balance and how being busy becomes a status symbol in itself, the complicated cultural attitudes regarding women's ambition, and the literal cost of being female as products marketed toward women often cost substantially more than equivalents for men. Renzetti's own life experiences are woven into the text. The book ends with inspiring advice for women and girls, which I hope Renzetti eventually gets to deliver as a commencement address.
April 10, 2019
Very nice to have a Canadian entry in my list of feminist rant/memoir type books. I read this on the plane on my way home from the Iceland Writers Retreat, having had a workshop with Renzetti. Both the workshop and the book were awesome. The essays are mostly tight, snappy, with sharp observation and humor. I especially loved the "letter to a younger me", which acknowledges a lot of the failings of white feminism, and the last essay in the collection which deals with the post-Trump election hangover.
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March 8, 2018It's nice that we both more or less agree on Sam Neill in My Brilliant Career. ^_^
. . .
Unfair things I realized (or at least became more cognizant of) while reading this:
1) Men spend great wads of money on entertaining themselves (cars/trucks/bikes/ATVs/snowmobiles/&c, TVs, computers, booze &c, games/video games, movies, TV, gadgets, things that happened to be on sale even though they didn't need them, anything advertised on TV that is not a baby-care or feminine hygiene product); women spend great wads of money on looking good for and making themselves attractive to men (clothes and shoes, accessories, makeup, miracle serums/creams/elixirs of youth, perfume and scents and deodorants, hair removal, hair care, nail care, injections, nips & tucks, implants, diets, exercise classes and equipment, subscriptions to magazines that dictate style and give tips on catching a man/pleasing your man/looking good for your man/bringing slippers and bourbon when your man comes home from work/&c... = hundreds of billions of dollars annually worldwide). IMAGINE if men earned less than women but spent hundreds of billions of dollars (annually, worldwide) on looking good for women, and women earned more than men and could spend their extra cash on entertaining themselves! Wow!
Of course that dichotomy is oversimplified, and everyone spends money on other things, like food and rent and taxes (and perhaps men are expected to pay for those things, in many households. Especially ones where they are the primary or only breadwinner, go figure). I suppose I'm just particularly bitter when I think back over the past few months and compare my purchases with those of the men in my life. The generalization looks like it has some truth to it. Maybe it's my fault and maybe I shouldn't cave to external pressures and maybe I should retreat to a lighthouse with my cat to live in blissful solitude, far from the madding crowd.
2) Women are punished for misbehaving; men are supported, encouraged, applauded for doing so. ("Boys will be boys!" "She was asking for it.")
3) I believe I am worthwhile; I know I am intelligent and capable. Because I am a woman, that makes me a feminist. If it's a dirty word—well, it's not the first one I've been called.
. . .
Unfair things I realized (or at least became more cognizant of) while reading this:
1) Men spend great wads of money on entertaining themselves (cars/trucks/bikes/ATVs/snowmobiles/&c, TVs, computers, booze &c, games/video games, movies, TV, gadgets, things that happened to be on sale even though they didn't need them, anything advertised on TV that is not a baby-care or feminine hygiene product); women spend great wads of money on looking good for and making themselves attractive to men (clothes and shoes, accessories, makeup, miracle serums/creams/elixirs of youth, perfume and scents and deodorants, hair removal, hair care, nail care, injections, nips & tucks, implants, diets, exercise classes and equipment, subscriptions to magazines that dictate style and give tips on catching a man/pleasing your man/looking good for your man/bringing slippers and bourbon when your man comes home from work/&c... = hundreds of billions of dollars annually worldwide). IMAGINE if men earned less than women but spent hundreds of billions of dollars (annually, worldwide) on looking good for women, and women earned more than men and could spend their extra cash on entertaining themselves! Wow!
Of course that dichotomy is oversimplified, and everyone spends money on other things, like food and rent and taxes (and perhaps men are expected to pay for those things, in many households. Especially ones where they are the primary or only breadwinner, go figure). I suppose I'm just particularly bitter when I think back over the past few months and compare my purchases with those of the men in my life. The generalization looks like it has some truth to it. Maybe it's my fault and maybe I shouldn't cave to external pressures and maybe I should retreat to a lighthouse with my cat to live in blissful solitude, far from the madding crowd.
2) Women are punished for misbehaving; men are supported, encouraged, applauded for doing so. ("Boys will be boys!" "She was asking for it.")
3) I believe I am worthwhile; I know I am intelligent and capable. Because I am a woman, that makes me a feminist. If it's a dirty word—well, it's not the first one I've been called.
November 25, 2018
This has really been the year of reading books of essays by women, especially books of essays decrying the absolute shit state of our world, and stressing the importance of feminism. And thank god for that. Renzetti's book reminds me of Feminasty, in that it tackles the really grim stuff with a wry, whip-smart humour, which seems so necessary right now. If we don't laugh, we might cry. So we laugh.
November 24, 2018
I started this book before I had the time to read it, so ignore how long it took for me to finish. This made me feel angry, and sad and hopeful and bitter and empowered along with a whole other spectrum of emotions. It isn’t the best thing to read before bed and I need a break from any more feminist essays for a while because my heart can’t handle it.
March 10, 2018
Insightful and hilarious, just how I like my feminist essays! Loved the chapter on politics, in particular.
April 16, 2018
Excellent collection of essays about feminism and the author's experience as a woman in journalism. A more fulsome review to come.
August 14, 2022
This is an amazing read and should be read by men and women alike. Renzetti’s humour and stories are so relatable and she doesn’t keep it safe in her writing - getting deep into the heart of the challenges women face in their lives - personal and professional. Would be helpful if our partners shared this read with us.
March 22, 2018
Excellent read on the female experience in Canada, which even manages to blend accuracy with wit and enjoyment while discussing topics that can be emotionally trying for even the most resilient of us.
April 16, 2019
I always look forward to renzetti’s columns in the G&M, this was book was an absolute pleasure to read. It is a fairly quick read, even for someone like me who never seems to have time to read.
It is enjoyable, empowering, and thought provoking.
Just read it, you’ll be happy you did.
It is enjoyable, empowering, and thought provoking.
Just read it, you’ll be happy you did.
July 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, and am motivated to read more of Renzetti’s work. I liked how real and personal the stories in this book were, and I thought it was a really cool idea for Elizabeth to include a “would-be” commencement speech at the end.
July 25, 2018
Elizabeth Renzetti is one of the major reasons why we continue our Saturday Globe. These essays are awesome as always, although they start my
blood to boiling (again and still). I had the pleasure
of having dinner with her when she came to Calgary, and she is as witty in person as on paper.
blood to boiling (again and still). I had the pleasure
of having dinner with her when she came to Calgary, and she is as witty in person as on paper.
February 28, 2019
I know some women may hear of a book about feminism and think ‘why do we need another one of these, we’re all equal!’ but it’s not until you read books like this that you realize we still have so far to go. If that doesn’t sound appealing then maybe this will: Renzetti writes Shrewed as if she’s talking to a close girlfriend; you will laugh and cry as you work your way through these delightfully entertaining essays.
The essays are only really linked by theme; women and our role in this world. Some are about women Renzetti has interviewed, others are deeply personal, but they all contain a subtle lesson about what it is to be female today. Her observations aren’t groundbreaking, but this is why I connected so easily to her authorial voice. This may be a controversial statment, but pronouncements about being ‘female’ in this world are rarely unique; they simply aren’t voiced clearly enough, or often enough for people to take a more serious look at the inequalities women face each and every day. And I know as I type this, many women will claim they face no such inequalities, but that simply isn’t true; we are just used to them, and dare I say, comfortable with them, so that many people (men AND women) don’t see the need to fight for further equality.
Renzetti deals with one subject in particular that I believe has been avoided, or simply overlooked in the past, and this is the inequality within the women’s movement or the ‘whiteness’ of the most visible feminism. Shrewed makes the very astute, and (for some) hard to swallow argument that we need to ‘pass over the grievance microphone’ (p. 207 of ARC) to women of colour, or quite simply those without the privileges we enjoy or take for granted. In some cases, even turn down a chance to speak publicly if someone with a less-publicized voice can take your place instead. A few months ago, I read another book about feminism that Renzetti references, which again, stresses the importance of elevating every women’s voice, not just our own, which seems like a simple yet important solution to this problem.
Being a young mother myself, Renzetti’s thoughts on motherhood and work life balance rang true for me, and as I’ve mentioned before on this blog, this always gives me as sense of enormous relief when I realize I’m having the same thoughts as many other mothers out there. She nails one of my anxieties perfectly: “It’s scary to step off the professional carousel, however briefly, and to know that it will not slow down for your return” (p. 82 of ARC). By doing what’s best for me and my family (which is by no means the best way for anyone else) is the way I’m asserting my autonomy at this point in life. This phase will pass, and yet, I can’t help but wonder if the growing number of stay-at-home dads are having the same existential crisis. Anyone care to share?
Although this review is turning out to have quite a serious tone, I do want to stress the fact that this book is extremely funny. I loved reading every essay, even when it dealt with scary or sad subject matter because the clever little witticisms and self-deprecating humour are just too fun to not indulge in. Renzetti is a journalist with the Globe and Mail, and I’m making an effort to seek out her writing from now on because I’ve learned so much from her in the best kind of way.
To read my other reviews please visit my blog:
https://ivereadthis.com/
The essays are only really linked by theme; women and our role in this world. Some are about women Renzetti has interviewed, others are deeply personal, but they all contain a subtle lesson about what it is to be female today. Her observations aren’t groundbreaking, but this is why I connected so easily to her authorial voice. This may be a controversial statment, but pronouncements about being ‘female’ in this world are rarely unique; they simply aren’t voiced clearly enough, or often enough for people to take a more serious look at the inequalities women face each and every day. And I know as I type this, many women will claim they face no such inequalities, but that simply isn’t true; we are just used to them, and dare I say, comfortable with them, so that many people (men AND women) don’t see the need to fight for further equality.
Renzetti deals with one subject in particular that I believe has been avoided, or simply overlooked in the past, and this is the inequality within the women’s movement or the ‘whiteness’ of the most visible feminism. Shrewed makes the very astute, and (for some) hard to swallow argument that we need to ‘pass over the grievance microphone’ (p. 207 of ARC) to women of colour, or quite simply those without the privileges we enjoy or take for granted. In some cases, even turn down a chance to speak publicly if someone with a less-publicized voice can take your place instead. A few months ago, I read another book about feminism that Renzetti references, which again, stresses the importance of elevating every women’s voice, not just our own, which seems like a simple yet important solution to this problem.
Being a young mother myself, Renzetti’s thoughts on motherhood and work life balance rang true for me, and as I’ve mentioned before on this blog, this always gives me as sense of enormous relief when I realize I’m having the same thoughts as many other mothers out there. She nails one of my anxieties perfectly: “It’s scary to step off the professional carousel, however briefly, and to know that it will not slow down for your return” (p. 82 of ARC). By doing what’s best for me and my family (which is by no means the best way for anyone else) is the way I’m asserting my autonomy at this point in life. This phase will pass, and yet, I can’t help but wonder if the growing number of stay-at-home dads are having the same existential crisis. Anyone care to share?
Although this review is turning out to have quite a serious tone, I do want to stress the fact that this book is extremely funny. I loved reading every essay, even when it dealt with scary or sad subject matter because the clever little witticisms and self-deprecating humour are just too fun to not indulge in. Renzetti is a journalist with the Globe and Mail, and I’m making an effort to seek out her writing from now on because I’ve learned so much from her in the best kind of way.
To read my other reviews please visit my blog:
https://ivereadthis.com/
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