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The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid
A novel about friendship, feminism, and the knotty complications of tradition and privilege, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Stephanie Perkins.
Jemima Kincaid is a feminist, and she thinks you should be one too. Her private school is laden with problematic traditions, but the worst of all is prom. The guys have all the agency; the girls have to wait around for promposals (she's speaking heteronormatively because only the hetero kids even go). In Jemima's (very opionated) opinion, it's positively medieval.
Then Jemima is named to Senior Triumvirate, alongside superstar athlete Andy and popular, manicured Gennifer, and the three must organize prom. Inspired by her feminist ideals and her desire to make a mark on the school, Jemima proposes a new structure. They'll do a Last Chance Dance: every student privately submits a list of crushes to a website that pairs them with any mutual matches.
Meanwhile, Jemima finds herself embroiled in a secret romance that she craves and hates all at once. Her best friend, Jiyoon, has found romance of her own, but Jemima starts to suspect something else has caused the sudden rift between them. And is the new prom system really enough to extinguish the school's raging dumpster fire of toxic masculinity?
Filled with Kate Hattemer's signature banter, this is a fast-paced and thoughtful tale about the nostalgia of senior year, the muddle of modern relationships, and how to fight the patriarchy when you just might be part of the patriarchy yourself.
Jemima Kincaid is a feminist, and she thinks you should be one too. Her private school is laden with problematic traditions, but the worst of all is prom. The guys have all the agency; the girls have to wait around for promposals (she's speaking heteronormatively because only the hetero kids even go). In Jemima's (very opionated) opinion, it's positively medieval.
Then Jemima is named to Senior Triumvirate, alongside superstar athlete Andy and popular, manicured Gennifer, and the three must organize prom. Inspired by her feminist ideals and her desire to make a mark on the school, Jemima proposes a new structure. They'll do a Last Chance Dance: every student privately submits a list of crushes to a website that pairs them with any mutual matches.
Meanwhile, Jemima finds herself embroiled in a secret romance that she craves and hates all at once. Her best friend, Jiyoon, has found romance of her own, but Jemima starts to suspect something else has caused the sudden rift between them. And is the new prom system really enough to extinguish the school's raging dumpster fire of toxic masculinity?
Filled with Kate Hattemer's signature banter, this is a fast-paced and thoughtful tale about the nostalgia of senior year, the muddle of modern relationships, and how to fight the patriarchy when you just might be part of the patriarchy yourself.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 18, 2020
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2705 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
August 9, 2020
I didn't even get to page 30 before I simply couldn't take it anymore. This book was an absolute atrocity.
This book came off to me like an incredibly privileged person desperately trying to find something to be oppressed about. She is ranting about how her classmate, Gennifer, is white, blond, wealthy, pretty, thin, straight, etc. and how that makes her a bad person, when Jemima is literally the EXACT SAME. In what world is being white, straight, going to a prestigious private school that costs the same amount as a freaking private college a disadvantage???
I hate the mentality that Jemima is the only white, wealthy, straight person who isn't a complete asshole (when, in all reality, she's the biggest asshole in the entire book). Obviously there are many people who are terrible people and follow those descriptions, but then again, there are plenty of people who fall under those descriptions and are still great people. Jemima keeps limiting the other people in her senior committee (or whatever it's called) to how they look, saying that they are only in it because they are blond, tan, thin, hot, athletic, etc. whereas she earned her place because she's a "nerd."
ISN'T THAT EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO AS A FEMINIST?? THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE A GIRL IS PRETTY, SHE IS THEREFORE STUPID????? God, the hypocrisy is HORRIBLE. Gennifer is nothing but a stereotype, being the pretty skinny white blond girl that is a hopeless flirt.
I got so sick and tired of stupid Jemima hating Andy and yet being hopelessly attracted to him. It's an actual joke, and a terrible one at that. Something tells me that they are 100% going to be in a relationship and I haven't even passed page 30. Let me just give a few examples...
And then there's stuff like this in the book that I don't even have words for.
Moving on, the author is trying too hard to be progressive with the LGBTQ+ community, and bluntly stating every single person's sexuality despite it always being straight. She mentions something about how prom is an event that is largely influenced by heteronormality and only the heterosexual couples go. This isn't true. Plenty of homosexual couples go to prom together; it's not outlawed. But this prom comment made by Jemima wasn't the point; the point was that she's trying too hard to mention how oppressed gay people are while still acting upon those stereotypes. For example, she said that every girl at the school was after Andy. Put aside generalizations that just because they're female then they must be attracted to Andy because he's good-looking, but that's pretty assuming of every single girl in the school being straight, now isn't it? Then there's Jemima's "brilliant" prom idea, that's definitely straight couple directed too. This is all, of course, besides the fact that the book fails to include a single LGBTQ+ character anyways.
There's awkwardly put things, like instead of putting "we cackled" it just put the words "cackle, cackle." As in, after the joke (a very not funny male private parts joke), it literally just said "Cackle, cackle." And the author seemed to not like putting complete sentences. Rather than putting "the conversation briefly ceased" she just put "Conversation briefly ceased."
And here we are with Jemima being a shameless "not like other girls" girl, because she's so qUiRkY because she uses words like "succor" and says things like "Flee this accursed place!"
I also got annoyed at how every single bit of dialogue was attached to a "said." I counted over twenty bits of dialogue with said in a row until it finally granted me with a "suggested" until it repeated the same pattern all over again. And, just a side complaint, but I hate the names of people in this book. Jemima? Crispin? Gennifer? Terrible.
Here's a website I would like to send the author; it has over 300 wonderful ways to say said: http://www.spwickstrom.com/said
In conclusion, I would never recommend this book to anybody. Not a single person. I wouldn't recommend it to a non-feminist because I would never want them to have the idea that that's what every feminist is like. I wouldn't recommend it to a feminist either, because just through the first 30 pages I know that, without a doubt, that this is the first feminist novel I've read that sets feminism back a couple of decades. I just wanted to read a book that dealt with actual sexist issues, not one of the most privileged people ever desperately searching for ways to be oppressed. Jemima is the kind of person to accuse a man of being sexist for holding the door open for her at a grocery store, when he was just trying to be kind because he noticed how her arms were full with groceries. That's not feminism. None of this is feminism. It is just straight up garbage that is not worthy of the paper it's printed on.
Don't waste your time with this one. If you want to read a YA feminist novel, I highly recommend "Rules for Being A Girl" by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno.
"I should note that I, too, am white. And straight. And wealthy, or my parents are. But despite these disadvantages, I do my best not to be a horrible person. I was a feminist before it was trendy."
This book came off to me like an incredibly privileged person desperately trying to find something to be oppressed about. She is ranting about how her classmate, Gennifer, is white, blond, wealthy, pretty, thin, straight, etc. and how that makes her a bad person, when Jemima is literally the EXACT SAME. In what world is being white, straight, going to a prestigious private school that costs the same amount as a freaking private college a disadvantage???
"Sometimes he acted like a chauvinistic asshat just to annoy me. And then he sometimes acted like a chauvinistic asshat because he was a white, straight, wealthy eighteen-year-old guy, and chauvinistic asshatery was basically his birthright."
I hate the mentality that Jemima is the only white, wealthy, straight person who isn't a complete asshole (when, in all reality, she's the biggest asshole in the entire book). Obviously there are many people who are terrible people and follow those descriptions, but then again, there are plenty of people who fall under those descriptions and are still great people. Jemima keeps limiting the other people in her senior committee (or whatever it's called) to how they look, saying that they are only in it because they are blond, tan, thin, hot, athletic, etc. whereas she earned her place because she's a "nerd."
"Gennifer is what you'd get if you googled 'perfect American girl': white and blond and thin. She has perfect teeth, which, like her, are white and straight and polished. Sometimes her prettiness made me think she was dumb. She's not. She is just about the opposite of dumb."
ISN'T THAT EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO AS A FEMINIST?? THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE A GIRL IS PRETTY, SHE IS THEREFORE STUPID????? God, the hypocrisy is HORRIBLE. Gennifer is nothing but a stereotype, being the pretty skinny white blond girl that is a hopeless flirt.
I got so sick and tired of stupid Jemima hating Andy and yet being hopelessly attracted to him. It's an actual joke, and a terrible one at that. Something tells me that they are 100% going to be in a relationship and I haven't even passed page 30. Let me just give a few examples...
"If he hadn't grinned at me, I'd have picked up that shampoo and hurled it at his handsome face. But he grinned and it was over. That was what happened every time. Andy's magical grin."
"He bowed. I smiled. I killed that smile so fast, but he saw it. I knew he did. Damn it. Andy freaking Monroe."
"...I was distracted by the pleasant bulge of Andy's biceps. He'd taken off his tie and rolled up his sleeves. He had nice forearms. Lean, tanned, golden-haired..."
"He smiled at me and I felt a rush of warmth, a cozy and anticipatory stirring, like when you get home and you smell dinner before you open the door and that's when you realize how hungry you are."
And then there's stuff like this in the book that I don't even have words for.
"...said Andy, licking his fork in a way that was positively pornographic."
Moving on, the author is trying too hard to be progressive with the LGBTQ+ community, and bluntly stating every single person's sexuality despite it always being straight. She mentions something about how prom is an event that is largely influenced by heteronormality and only the heterosexual couples go. This isn't true. Plenty of homosexual couples go to prom together; it's not outlawed. But this prom comment made by Jemima wasn't the point; the point was that she's trying too hard to mention how oppressed gay people are while still acting upon those stereotypes. For example, she said that every girl at the school was after Andy. Put aside generalizations that just because they're female then they must be attracted to Andy because he's good-looking, but that's pretty assuming of every single girl in the school being straight, now isn't it? Then there's Jemima's "brilliant" prom idea, that's definitely straight couple directed too. This is all, of course, besides the fact that the book fails to include a single LGBTQ+ character anyways.
There's awkwardly put things, like instead of putting "we cackled" it just put the words "cackle, cackle." As in, after the joke (a very not funny male private parts joke), it literally just said "Cackle, cackle." And the author seemed to not like putting complete sentences. Rather than putting "the conversation briefly ceased" she just put "Conversation briefly ceased."
And here we are with Jemima being a shameless "not like other girls" girl, because she's so qUiRkY because she uses words like "succor" and says things like "Flee this accursed place!"
I also got annoyed at how every single bit of dialogue was attached to a "said." I counted over twenty bits of dialogue with said in a row until it finally granted me with a "suggested" until it repeated the same pattern all over again. And, just a side complaint, but I hate the names of people in this book. Jemima? Crispin? Gennifer? Terrible.
Here's a website I would like to send the author; it has over 300 wonderful ways to say said: http://www.spwickstrom.com/said
In conclusion, I would never recommend this book to anybody. Not a single person. I wouldn't recommend it to a non-feminist because I would never want them to have the idea that that's what every feminist is like. I wouldn't recommend it to a feminist either, because just through the first 30 pages I know that, without a doubt, that this is the first feminist novel I've read that sets feminism back a couple of decades. I just wanted to read a book that dealt with actual sexist issues, not one of the most privileged people ever desperately searching for ways to be oppressed. Jemima is the kind of person to accuse a man of being sexist for holding the door open for her at a grocery store, when he was just trying to be kind because he noticed how her arms were full with groceries. That's not feminism. None of this is feminism. It is just straight up garbage that is not worthy of the paper it's printed on.
Don't waste your time with this one. If you want to read a YA feminist novel, I highly recommend "Rules for Being A Girl" by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno.
February 2, 2020
UGH.
Okay, so at first I thought this was stupid. And then I was like oh, okay! This is pretty vapid but a good enough book. And then it sucked. So badly.
So I really couldn't decipher a message here but -
It's okay to be judgey! As long as you think about it like once and decide it's okay.
If everyone tells you to shut up, you should probably do it! Because outing your brother is equivalent to taking down a misogynistic tradition, totally.
Rigging an election is fine if you're morally right.
As long as your boyfriend knows he's misogynistic, it's okay! And he doesn't need to change, either.
Ultimately, this had no message. Like it was maybe a three star and then the ending was just ????? What was the point here?
Okay, so at first I thought this was stupid. And then I was like oh, okay! This is pretty vapid but a good enough book. And then it sucked. So badly.
So I really couldn't decipher a message here but -
It's okay to be judgey! As long as you think about it like once and decide it's okay.
If everyone tells you to shut up, you should probably do it! Because outing your brother is equivalent to taking down a misogynistic tradition, totally.
Rigging an election is fine if you're morally right.
As long as your boyfriend knows he's misogynistic, it's okay! And he doesn't need to change, either.
Ultimately, this had no message. Like it was maybe a three star and then the ending was just ????? What was the point here?
did-not-finish
March 5, 2020I got about 55 pages into this, and it's not bad or anything, I'm just... sort of tired of books about feminism centering on white, straight, able-bodied, upper-to-middle-class MCs. It's fine for a teen just starting out in their feminism learning, but I really want to see books about feminism that don't center young white girls anymore.
May 9, 2020
Yeah... this book was pretty bad. I’m not going to lie, I’m disappointed that I didn’t read any reviews before starting this, because it would’ve made a big difference (like I wouldn’t have picked it up in the first place).
The main character is unbearable. I get that she’s flawed, and that the point is to discuss privilege and internalised misogyny and whatnot, and to use the MC’s own flaws as a way to make her more relatable to readers, but it just became a game of “how much problematic behaviour can we excuse under the guise of writing this Super Important book?” And clearly the answer was “quite a lot” because this just never, ever got better. It was a constant battle between the MC doing or saying something horribly problematic and then having her issues pointed out by an endlessly patient WOC, all for the cycle to start up again in the next chapter. They pretended to give the token WOC a story arc outside of the MC’s, but it turns out we have no idea who she is or why we should care.
The rest of the characters aren’t any better. They’re barely two dimensional, and I still have no idea what the point of the book was. No one changed or evolved or became better (or even worse?) by the end. Everything just vaguely happened, and then it was over, and nothing changed except the endless passage of time. Who were these people? What was their motivation? Why should I care? The answer is pretty simple: it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter, IT DOES NOT MATTER.
There are plenty of writers doing the whole SJW/ feminist thing well in YA, and it would be a shame to waste your time and energy reading something that barely does it at all.
The main character is unbearable. I get that she’s flawed, and that the point is to discuss privilege and internalised misogyny and whatnot, and to use the MC’s own flaws as a way to make her more relatable to readers, but it just became a game of “how much problematic behaviour can we excuse under the guise of writing this Super Important book?” And clearly the answer was “quite a lot” because this just never, ever got better. It was a constant battle between the MC doing or saying something horribly problematic and then having her issues pointed out by an endlessly patient WOC, all for the cycle to start up again in the next chapter. They pretended to give the token WOC a story arc outside of the MC’s, but it turns out we have no idea who she is or why we should care.
The rest of the characters aren’t any better. They’re barely two dimensional, and I still have no idea what the point of the book was. No one changed or evolved or became better (or even worse?) by the end. Everything just vaguely happened, and then it was over, and nothing changed except the endless passage of time. Who were these people? What was their motivation? Why should I care? The answer is pretty simple: it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter, IT DOES NOT MATTER.
There are plenty of writers doing the whole SJW/ feminist thing well in YA, and it would be a shame to waste your time and energy reading something that barely does it at all.
May 7, 2020
I think this was the first time I ever saw a feminist book that actually set feminism decades back. The main character was extremely annoying and the supporting cast didn't have enough personality either. I wanted to like this book but I couldn't get past the horrible dialogues and the main character's thoughts. This completely and accurately portrays most teenagers now on the feminism bandwagon-- the ones who instead of asking for equal rights want women to be the rulers and think of men as disgusting toads. Feminism is about equality. It doesn't mean that you have to go to extremes like dyeing your pits blue or boycotting prom because not everything needs to be turned into a social or political issue. Kincaid definitely kept overthinking things and blowing things out of proportion. She was constantly on this rampage even when people weren't even against her.
March 6, 2020
This was a book that tried to be everything and failed. It’s neither feminist, sisterhood, young adult, romance or pro anything. It just felt like it tried to hard to be cool and still doesn’t get it: poser. At the end of the book still did not like the main character.
April 22, 2020
I think. this would have been a great book for me personally to have read at age 13, and also for a lot of current teen girls struggling with internalized misogyny/Not Like Other Girls syndrome. For me as an adult reader it came across a bit didactic in pursuit of that goal.
Still, it's a noble goal, and I also liked it sex positivity and pursuit of intersectionality. It bit off a lot of stuff and some of the family stuff in particular was maybe more than could be properly chewed? But maybe it's enough just to hint at some parental drama without digging into it.
Still, it's a noble goal, and I also liked it sex positivity and pursuit of intersectionality. It bit off a lot of stuff and some of the family stuff in particular was maybe more than could be properly chewed? But maybe it's enough just to hint at some parental drama without digging into it.
March 1, 2020
Feminist but has somehow never considered even basic things like "slut shaming" and "not like other girls syndrome" even though her best friend complains about her tendencies there? Nah.
Read
April 12, 2021I don't think this is feminism
no
May 6, 2022was going through my shelves and did a double take at the average rating... i should've known better than to expect more. this book is about a self-proclaimed white feminist who is the epitome of "i'm not like other girls" and someone who adopts the feminist ideology when convenient. her feminism is selective, hypocritical, and tries so hard to be inclusive but fails...
wtf is up with the quotes from this book.
"I should note that I, too, am white. And straight. And wealthy, or my parents are. But despite these disadvantages, I do my best not to be a horrible person. I was a feminist before it was trendy."
congratulations, jemima. you want a medal for that? maybe an acknowledgement? ur an og, yeah? want a medal for being a decent human being?
"Sometimes he acted like a chauvinistic asshat just to annoy me. And then he sometimes acted like a chauvinistic asshat because he was a white, straight, wealthy eighteen-year-old guy, and chauvinistic asshatery was basically his birthright."
says you, a white, straight, wealthy, PRIVILEGED person who embodies the exact same personality traits and characteristics of the person you are describing, made worse by your superiority complex and inability to be self aware
"Gennifer is what you'd get if you googled 'perfect American girl': white and blond and thin. She has perfect teeth, which, like her, are white and straight and polished. Sometimes her prettiness made me think she was dumb. She's not. She is just about the opposite of dumb."
aside from the fact that you literally just ruined any claims to feminism you were preaching to the masses about with your assumption that pretty girls are dumb, you are also all of that. take a look in the fucking mirror jemima. do u want a medal for acknowledging the fact that girls who are pretty can be smart at the same time? do u want a fucking medal jemima
n e way this was not a feminist book - this was a self-righteous shitshow that maybe could work for a thirteen-year old, but that would be an insult to say that thirteen-year olds are so feeble minded to the point where they would accept the bullshit this book spews. stop marketing books as feminist when the main character sets feminism back decades and doesn't consider intersectionality.
woc do it better - read these books instead
white tears brown scars - ruby hamad
this book is feminist: an intersectional primer for feminists in training - jamia wilson
literally any angela davis book
wtf is up with the quotes from this book.
"I should note that I, too, am white. And straight. And wealthy, or my parents are. But despite these disadvantages, I do my best not to be a horrible person. I was a feminist before it was trendy."
congratulations, jemima. you want a medal for that? maybe an acknowledgement? ur an og, yeah? want a medal for being a decent human being?
"Sometimes he acted like a chauvinistic asshat just to annoy me. And then he sometimes acted like a chauvinistic asshat because he was a white, straight, wealthy eighteen-year-old guy, and chauvinistic asshatery was basically his birthright."
says you, a white, straight, wealthy, PRIVILEGED person who embodies the exact same personality traits and characteristics of the person you are describing, made worse by your superiority complex and inability to be self aware
"Gennifer is what you'd get if you googled 'perfect American girl': white and blond and thin. She has perfect teeth, which, like her, are white and straight and polished. Sometimes her prettiness made me think she was dumb. She's not. She is just about the opposite of dumb."
aside from the fact that you literally just ruined any claims to feminism you were preaching to the masses about with your assumption that pretty girls are dumb, you are also all of that. take a look in the fucking mirror jemima. do u want a medal for acknowledging the fact that girls who are pretty can be smart at the same time? do u want a fucking medal jemima
n e way this was not a feminist book - this was a self-righteous shitshow that maybe could work for a thirteen-year old, but that would be an insult to say that thirteen-year olds are so feeble minded to the point where they would accept the bullshit this book spews. stop marketing books as feminist when the main character sets feminism back decades and doesn't consider intersectionality.
woc do it better - read these books instead
white tears brown scars - ruby hamad
this book is feminist: an intersectional primer for feminists in training - jamia wilson
literally any angela davis book
February 15, 2020
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Zoë Leonarczyk
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid by Kate Hattemer is a modern-day feminist manifesto for young men and women alike. Jemima Kincaid, because with a name like that how could you not say the whole thing, is smart, witty, and over the male “agenda.” Being one part of the Senior Triumvirate, Jemima decides that this is the year she will make a difference to the problematic misogyny and toxic masculinity at her private high school Chawton.
Jemima soon picks her target of change: the senior prom. To her, this is the absolute worst tradition as the girls are forced to wait for some epic promposal in order to get a date to the dance. And don’t even get her started on the heteronormativity of it all. So, Jemima comes up with a solution to give the females some power of attorney for prom as well as to leave an epic mark on the history of the school. Instead of just a regular prom, the Senior Triumvirate decides to throw a Last Chance Dance.
Jemima must work with the other two thirds of the Senior Triumvirate, Andy the flirty athlete and Gennifer the most popular person in school, to ensure that this is the best dance Chawton has ever seen. As the three plan out the dance, they set up a private website for every person in the school to submit their crushes. And by crushes, the Triumvirate means anyone you have ever even considered liking. Once all of these are uploaded, the Last Chance portion of the new and improved prom is put into action and mutual matches between individuals are sought out. Because they must be mutual, this is all about levelling out the playing field between the guys and girls of illustrious Chawton.
But, will everything go according to plan?
Jemima is one of those characters you will either immediately love or hate. She is amazingly herself and not afraid to share each and every opinion she has. Especially when it comes to feminism. Jemima Kincaid lives, breathes, and practices her feministic ideologies. She’s also lucky to get through any conversation without having to point out a problem with society’s frustrating ideologies about women. But Jemima’s concerns are not only about leaving her mark on the hallways of Chawton. She’s going through senior year with a secret romance while also dealing with the fact that her best friend is pulling away from her. As Jemima spreads her gospel of woman, she must also deal with the relationships in her life.
Hattemer has a very witty and sharp style of writing which pairs perfectly with Jemima Kincaid. All of the characters reflect to “typical” people you find in high school. You have the brainiacs, the athletes, the basket cases, the princesses, and the criminals. Oh wait, that’s The Breakfast Club, but you get the idea. There are the typical cliques you see in a high school, but Hattemer elevates these characters another level by pointing out the flaws and the similarities between these seniors. And, in typical Breakfast Club style, Hattemer brings three very different individuals together to form the Senior Triumvirate.
Overall, The Feminist Agenda of Jemima will leave you with nostalgia of Senior Year. It has all of the anxiety and rush that comes with graduating from high school. Each member of the Senior Triumvirate is afraid to move on from Chawton and be forgotten, much like the fear of many seniors in high school. I mean, who wants to spend four years of one’s life in school only to leave the doors one day and never be remembered. To never have some sort of legacy that students will talk about for years to come. And what better legacy for Jemima Kincaid than to stick it to the man and showcase the power of women.
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid by Kate Hattemer is a modern-day feminist manifesto for young men and women alike. Jemima Kincaid, because with a name like that how could you not say the whole thing, is smart, witty, and over the male “agenda.” Being one part of the Senior Triumvirate, Jemima decides that this is the year she will make a difference to the problematic misogyny and toxic masculinity at her private high school Chawton.
Jemima soon picks her target of change: the senior prom. To her, this is the absolute worst tradition as the girls are forced to wait for some epic promposal in order to get a date to the dance. And don’t even get her started on the heteronormativity of it all. So, Jemima comes up with a solution to give the females some power of attorney for prom as well as to leave an epic mark on the history of the school. Instead of just a regular prom, the Senior Triumvirate decides to throw a Last Chance Dance.
Jemima must work with the other two thirds of the Senior Triumvirate, Andy the flirty athlete and Gennifer the most popular person in school, to ensure that this is the best dance Chawton has ever seen. As the three plan out the dance, they set up a private website for every person in the school to submit their crushes. And by crushes, the Triumvirate means anyone you have ever even considered liking. Once all of these are uploaded, the Last Chance portion of the new and improved prom is put into action and mutual matches between individuals are sought out. Because they must be mutual, this is all about levelling out the playing field between the guys and girls of illustrious Chawton.
But, will everything go according to plan?
Jemima is one of those characters you will either immediately love or hate. She is amazingly herself and not afraid to share each and every opinion she has. Especially when it comes to feminism. Jemima Kincaid lives, breathes, and practices her feministic ideologies. She’s also lucky to get through any conversation without having to point out a problem with society’s frustrating ideologies about women. But Jemima’s concerns are not only about leaving her mark on the hallways of Chawton. She’s going through senior year with a secret romance while also dealing with the fact that her best friend is pulling away from her. As Jemima spreads her gospel of woman, she must also deal with the relationships in her life.
Hattemer has a very witty and sharp style of writing which pairs perfectly with Jemima Kincaid. All of the characters reflect to “typical” people you find in high school. You have the brainiacs, the athletes, the basket cases, the princesses, and the criminals. Oh wait, that’s The Breakfast Club, but you get the idea. There are the typical cliques you see in a high school, but Hattemer elevates these characters another level by pointing out the flaws and the similarities between these seniors. And, in typical Breakfast Club style, Hattemer brings three very different individuals together to form the Senior Triumvirate.
Overall, The Feminist Agenda of Jemima will leave you with nostalgia of Senior Year. It has all of the anxiety and rush that comes with graduating from high school. Each member of the Senior Triumvirate is afraid to move on from Chawton and be forgotten, much like the fear of many seniors in high school. I mean, who wants to spend four years of one’s life in school only to leave the doors one day and never be remembered. To never have some sort of legacy that students will talk about for years to come. And what better legacy for Jemima Kincaid than to stick it to the man and showcase the power of women.
April 10, 2020
3 1/2 stars
While I enjoyed this and it's a quick read, there really wasn't too much difference with the other recent YA feminist books. However, I think we need more and that people will connect with each one differently.
Jemima annoyed me. Yes, I said it. But I also kind of got her. I know there are things I need to do better. I know I judge women based on their clothes, etc. I try so hard to catch myself. Jemima was worse than me though because she really didn't see that she was doing it. She was so vocal about women's rights, but she was a bit blind to her faults. She really didn't like other girls. Her friend, Jiyoon, was the only one she was close to. She spent time with Gennifer, but they both kind of picked on each other. Jemima is attracted to a popular boy, Andy. He starts giving her rides home and they make out. A lot. But then nothing happens again until the next ride home.
Andy pissed me off, too. I wasn't a big fan of him, even when good things came out about him. I am happy that this was a sex positive book. Yes, there is quite a bit of sex talk in the book. It really did feel like things I felt in high school. The not really knowing how to do things or knowing what is right. But Jemima did make up her mind to have sex. I felt a bit like she wasn't thinking enough with her brain, but she made her own choices. This was good.
My favorite characters were all the side ones. Jiyoon was just amazing. She called out Jemima on the things she did. Crispin, Jemima's brother, was probably my top favorite. I loved the focus on their relationship and the advice he gave her. Gennifer grew on me after awhile. I also really loved Paul, too. The book takes place at a private school where most of the students were rich and white. Jemima complained about it a lot. But she was one of those kids that was so ready to graduate, but also not ready to leave high school.
As I said earlier, I did enjoy this book. Jemima was probably what made my rating lower. I gave this book 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.
This is a more mature YA that has sex topics and details. Warnings for misogyny, racism, homophobia (talk of), privilege, slut shaming, teenage drinking.
While I enjoyed this and it's a quick read, there really wasn't too much difference with the other recent YA feminist books. However, I think we need more and that people will connect with each one differently.
Jemima annoyed me. Yes, I said it. But I also kind of got her. I know there are things I need to do better. I know I judge women based on their clothes, etc. I try so hard to catch myself. Jemima was worse than me though because she really didn't see that she was doing it. She was so vocal about women's rights, but she was a bit blind to her faults. She really didn't like other girls. Her friend, Jiyoon, was the only one she was close to. She spent time with Gennifer, but they both kind of picked on each other. Jemima is attracted to a popular boy, Andy. He starts giving her rides home and they make out. A lot. But then nothing happens again until the next ride home.
Andy pissed me off, too. I wasn't a big fan of him, even when good things came out about him. I am happy that this was a sex positive book. Yes, there is quite a bit of sex talk in the book. It really did feel like things I felt in high school. The not really knowing how to do things or knowing what is right. But Jemima did make up her mind to have sex. I felt a bit like she wasn't thinking enough with her brain, but she made her own choices. This was good.
My favorite characters were all the side ones. Jiyoon was just amazing. She called out Jemima on the things she did. Crispin, Jemima's brother, was probably my top favorite. I loved the focus on their relationship and the advice he gave her. Gennifer grew on me after awhile. I also really loved Paul, too. The book takes place at a private school where most of the students were rich and white. Jemima complained about it a lot. But she was one of those kids that was so ready to graduate, but also not ready to leave high school.
As I said earlier, I did enjoy this book. Jemima was probably what made my rating lower. I gave this book 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.
This is a more mature YA that has sex topics and details. Warnings for misogyny, racism, homophobia (talk of), privilege, slut shaming, teenage drinking.
May 16, 2020
I got what the book was trying to do and I think that like it sort of did that maybe but god it was horrible to read. The Mason character sucked like they were so annoying. It was very offensive and physically sicking in parts. Like what the hell she was like offended by her boyfriends actions but he distracted her with sex and he was just so yummy who could blame her for not caring. I just and she was so self centered didn't care about the terrible way she treated the people around her. She was just forgiven by everyone cause at least she was trying right like what no... And I understand that's how people are but god it is not something I want to waste hours of my life by reading. Also the super cool shut up and deal with narrative that shadowed this story was like kind of offensive like if those teachers new and participated in that powderpuff event they deserve some sort of like comupance like that should be stopped. I'm just really mad. And grossed out. Eww.
March 12, 2020
2.5 stars
September 24, 2020
This was...bad. RTC
March 6, 2024
Vaya, no pensé que todavía se publicaran libros antifeministas disfrazados pero parece que si.
Este libro NO es feminista. Es como si hubieran querido hacer una película barata de disney con ideología todo hecho express y sin investigación previa.
Tenemos una niña super odiosa que cree que el feminismo es ser hipócrita juzgando a todas por las mismas acciones que ella hace, solapar hombres y quejarse de todo.
Si se llamara “Lo que no es el feminismo” le quedaría mucho mejor, ya que es una muestra del “feminismo” blanco privilegiado en su máximo esplendor.
Para colmo, tiene escenas spicy que nada que ver, mas de la mitad del libro es una escolar encaprichada y con ganas de darse a su compañero del consejo escolar, dejando muchas veces de lado el discurso feminista forzado y pasando a reafirmar estereotipos en vez de tirarlos.
Cero recomendado.
Este libro NO es feminista. Es como si hubieran querido hacer una película barata de disney con ideología todo hecho express y sin investigación previa.
Tenemos una niña super odiosa que cree que el feminismo es ser hipócrita juzgando a todas por las mismas acciones que ella hace, solapar hombres y quejarse de todo.
Si se llamara “Lo que no es el feminismo” le quedaría mucho mejor, ya que es una muestra del “feminismo” blanco privilegiado en su máximo esplendor.
Para colmo, tiene escenas spicy que nada que ver, mas de la mitad del libro es una escolar encaprichada y con ganas de darse a su compañero del consejo escolar, dejando muchas veces de lado el discurso feminista forzado y pasando a reafirmar estereotipos en vez de tirarlos.
Cero recomendado.
March 1, 2020
this was actually a big surprise, in a good way! at the beginning of the book, Jemima had a really horrible way of thinking about other girls, but she actually grew and changed and recognized her flawed mindset. the only thing that I thought could have been addressed more was the kind of mildly racist mindset Jemima had. but generally, this book was good and surprising and definitely worth the read.
Read
January 13, 2020Jemima is one-third of the student governing body at her exclusive private school. She tries to take measures to confront some stereotypes and misogyny that surround some of their school traditions, but instead ends up in the middle of a scandal. This is 14 plus for sexual content, but the author is also a high school teacher, so the dialog and relationships are very realistic and authentic.
January 18, 2021
This was my first time reading Kate Hattemer, and I’m always excited to read a new author – you’ll never know what you are going to get!
This was a decent read, with one big, BIG exception at the end. I think there were times that the MC was a struggle to like (okay, more than a few times, she was insufferable at times), but I liked that her friends made her think – and made me think! – about the way we behave and our inbuilt privilege. Jiyoon was fantastic, and I probably liked her more than I did the MC, Jemima. The relationships between the different characters added great elements to the story, and the way that we perceive things that aren’t necessarily a truth that other people see.
I liked that this story gave Jemima new insight into herself and how the school saw her.
Now, to the big but in the book. Spoiler ahead...
The romance arc was not resolved. Did she get back together with Andy? Did they never see each other again? I’m not okay with not resolving a whole romantic arc that took up a good portion of the book. I finished this and said out loud to myself – what the actual #@(&^#$&? What about the romance?
It was strange to not wrap that up, unless there’s another book in the series I guess, although I see nothing to suggest that, and nothing else about the book suggested it. Considering romance is a big hook for me in a story, this was a huge disappointment.
This was a decent read, with one big, BIG exception at the end. I think there were times that the MC was a struggle to like (okay, more than a few times, she was insufferable at times), but I liked that her friends made her think – and made me think! – about the way we behave and our inbuilt privilege. Jiyoon was fantastic, and I probably liked her more than I did the MC, Jemima. The relationships between the different characters added great elements to the story, and the way that we perceive things that aren’t necessarily a truth that other people see.
I liked that this story gave Jemima new insight into herself and how the school saw her.
Now, to the big but in the book. Spoiler ahead...
The romance arc was not resolved. Did she get back together with Andy? Did they never see each other again? I’m not okay with not resolving a whole romantic arc that took up a good portion of the book. I finished this and said out loud to myself – what the actual #@(&^#$&? What about the romance?
It was strange to not wrap that up, unless there’s another book in the series I guess, although I see nothing to suggest that, and nothing else about the book suggested it. Considering romance is a big hook for me in a story, this was a huge disappointment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2020
Okay. LOTS OF THOUGHTS, but definitely 3.5 stars. Was this book boring?? No! Which is why I give it the extra .5. This book was just such a 2013 era feminist book and I’m so. bored. of those type of white feminism centered books. The author in the back even said she used to be a huge white feminist so I think this book was one huge self insert for her to write about what she used to be like.
The book centers Jemima who is rich and white and thinks she’s a feminist. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so mad if she had changed sooner?? But she constantly slut shames and gets called out by her best friend for it (who isn’t even that good of a friend) so the book feels like it goes into circles in terms of character development. This book would have been great in 2013, but not in 2020 when we expect feminism that is broad and addresses the treatment and well being of all women!
I will say that Jemima DOES act like some high school white feminists that haven’t grown and learned yet, it’s just that this book alone does not set a good example for how people still stuck in their outdated views of feminisms can grow and become better.
The book centers Jemima who is rich and white and thinks she’s a feminist. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so mad if she had changed sooner?? But she constantly slut shames and gets called out by her best friend for it (who isn’t even that good of a friend) so the book feels like it goes into circles in terms of character development. This book would have been great in 2013, but not in 2020 when we expect feminism that is broad and addresses the treatment and well being of all women!
I will say that Jemima DOES act like some high school white feminists that haven’t grown and learned yet, it’s just that this book alone does not set a good example for how people still stuck in their outdated views of feminisms can grow and become better.
June 6, 2020
Thanks to the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it has taken me an embarrassingly long time to get any reading done lately (curse you, Tom Nook!). This review in particular has been a long time coming, as I've had this book in my To-Read list for a while. While it wasn't the type of suspenseful page-turner that usually helps me finish a book fairly quickly, I did really enjoy the story and overall message. I think YA literature that discusses sex, feminism, and intersectionality is very important, especially in the era of Me Too. This book is full of delightful and realistic characters, and has the ability to spark a great discussion about modern feminism.
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid follows the story of Jemima Kincaid, a senior at an elite private school known as Chawton. Until recent years, Chawton was known as an all-boys school, eventually merging with an all-girls school known as Ansel Academy for Girls. With this merger came a whole heap of sexist practices, something Jemima Kincaid has made it her life mission to fix. As a member of the senior Triumvirate (along with her friends Andy and Gennifer), it is up to Jemima to plan large events like prom and the annual Powderpuff football game. This year, Jemima has some big ideas about how to shake up the school prom, planning to let every student make a list of crushes to be paired with for the dance. When all of the entries get leaked, however, Jemima finds herself in a sticky situation. Add to this the stress of her complicated feelings for Andy (who was, as it turns out, the only name she wrote down), and Jemima is in for a senior year she will never forget.
First of all, I have to say that I absolutely love how this book handles conversations about feminism. At the beginning of the book, Jemima considers herself to be a "hardcore feminist," to the point where even her friends refer to her as the "Jeminist." She scoffs at all things "Old" and "White" and "Male," while also sticking her nose up at the popular cheerleader girls conforming to the patriarchy. Initially, Jemima represents the stereotypical feminist, dying her armpit hair blue and generally snarking on anything she deems to be sexist or patriarchal. As the book progresses, however, she begins to develop more as a character, realizing that there is no one right way to be a feminist or to stick up for women. I loved this idea, as I think it's important for women and girls to stick together rather than tearing one another down, a lesson Jemima has to learn over the course of the story.
For example, at the beginning Jemima has a very strained relationship with Gennifer, another member of the Triumvirate. Jemima views Gennifer as being the stereotypical air-headed popular girl, but begins to realize that Gennifer is actually extremely smart and willing to back her up when the going gets tough. Similarly, Jemima tends to dismiss her best friend Jiyoon, never even considering her as a potential candidate for senior class chairman (because, in her words, it's pointless for girls to even try running and she won't stand a chance). Jemima's "feminist agenda" starts out being very superficial, consisting of a lot of complaining and very little action or self reflection. She eventually learns, however, that real feminism looks a lot more like sticking up for your fellow woman, building her up and encouraging her as a teammate instead of tearing her down. I think this is an incredibly important message for teens to hear, as our modern society tends to pit women against each other as "competition," constantly comparing women based on the way they act, look, and think.
Another topic I think this book handles well is sex. Sex in YA literature can often feel uncomfortable for me, as I am an adult woman reading about teenagers having sex (it's a little icky). I do, however, appreciate when a book can discuss sex in a healthy, matter-of-fact way, without glorifying it or fear-mongering to its audience. In this book, sex is simply one part of Jemima's journey, as she moves from "making out," to giving oral sex, to "going all the way" with a guy she has complicated feelings for. Sex and sexual desire are represented as simply being a normal thing that everyone experiences, and the sex scenes themselves are in no way romanticized; they are just presented as realistic encounters. The book even mentions masturbation at the beginning, usually a taboo subject in literature aimed at young people. I personally think it's a very healthy thing to discuss, and reading a book like this might help take away the stigma of shame that often accompanies sexual exploration for teenage girls.
I also like that this book seems to debunk the myth that having sex with someone will form a "life-long attachment you can never get over," something I was actually told in my sex ed classes in high school. Instead, Jemima explores different sexual acts with Andy, but never starts an actual relationship with him. In fact, by the end of the story, we have no idea whether or not they will reconcile or form a relationship at all, as it ends with Jemima spending time with her friends instead of going to prom. While my romance-driven heart was saddened by this, I like that this plot is left open-ended, as it represents a more realistic view of teenage relationships. In reality, the first person you sleep with might not be your soulmate, and real relationships are messy and uncertain. Both Jemima and Andy deal with a lot of inner turmoil, having moments where they seem to be on the same page and moments where they're at each others' throats.
The most important thing, however, is the book emphasizes that it is ultimately Jemima's choice how far she goes, and which lines can and cannot be crossed. Even better, Andy seems to respect this, never forcing himself on her and asking for consent before they finally have sex. While this book is geared more towards girls than boys, I think consent is a CRUCIAL topic when discussing sex in YA literature. There is even a section of the book where Jemima ponders the social construct of virginity, and decides that there really is no line between "saint" and "slut;" it all depends on how you view your own sexual experiences and desires. This is also extremely important, as too many young teens and women are exposed to "slut shaming," making them feel terrible for taking agency over their own sex lives. Ultimately, it is not society's ideas that matter, but what each of us feel comfortable with on an individual level. I commend Hattemer for tackling this topic, and I think she did a great job.
While there isn't a ton of LGBT representation in this book, I really appreciate Jemima's brother Crispin, who is an excellent example of both a great big brother and casual LGBT representation. Crispin is gay, and while the book alludes to the fact that he sometimes had a hard time in high school, nobody seems to make a big deal about the fact that he is gay. In fact, the only controversy he faces throughout the book is the fact that he's dating his coworker in secret, which may cause him to lose his job if his supervisor finds out. Crispin is also an incredible older brother, offering advice and comfort to Jemima as she struggles with her identity and sexual exploration. He encourages her to "think about what she really wants" before going too far, and also gently reminds her throughout the book to rein in some of her over-the-top ideas and schemes. Their relationship is incredibly sweet, and I found myself wishing I'd grown up with a protective older brother like Crispin as I read.
Lastly, I want to touch on Jiyoon, who is another important character when it comes to both representation and intersectional feminism. As Jemima's best friend, Jiyoon serves as a constant reminder to Jemima that feminism encompasses much more than just "straight white female." Near the beginning of the book, Jemima reflects on the privilege that allowed her wealthy parents to afford her education, while Jiyoon is on scholarship. Additionally, Jiyoon is Asian-American, and is often stereotyped to be "smart and nothing else." Jemima herself has to reconcile with the sexist notion that "girls cannot be both popular and smart," leading her to initially dismiss the idea that her friend could ever become the senior chairman.
Once again, Jemima learns a valuable lesson about treating other women as individuals rather than cookie cutter stereotypes, and valuing them for who they are rather than placing them into convenient categories. Jiyoon and Jemima's friendship hits a lot of bumps and curves throughout the book, but the two always manage to forgive one another and have each other's backs. Anyone who reads my reviews knows how much I appreciate strong female friendships in YA, and this was no exception!
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid tackles issues like feminism and sex in a witty, humorous way that never once feels preachy or overdone. I genuinely found myself laughing out loud at some of the snarky things Jemima says throughout the book, and I really appreciated the light-hearted mood it evoked. Though Jemima acknowledges that high school drama feels life-altering and horrible in the moment, Hattemer also seems to be telling the reader that it's okay not to have everything figured out in high school.
Like any coming of age novel, this book showcases a time in most adolescent lives that is later remembered fondly, a time when everyone is trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be. The characters all learn a lot, but nothing is too serious or too awful to be fixed with some communication, and I think the novel shows us a very realistic (if light-hearted) slice of high school life. Add in the frank and healthy discussions about feminism, prejudice, and sex, and this book makes for an entertaining read with even greater messages. I would gladly recommend it to any teenage girl trying to find herself, especially one struggling with identity, self reflection, or sexuality. I think this book offers a lot of interesting ideas ripe for healthy discussion, and it does so in a fun and humorous way. I look forward to reading more of Kate Hattemer's work in the future.
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid follows the story of Jemima Kincaid, a senior at an elite private school known as Chawton. Until recent years, Chawton was known as an all-boys school, eventually merging with an all-girls school known as Ansel Academy for Girls. With this merger came a whole heap of sexist practices, something Jemima Kincaid has made it her life mission to fix. As a member of the senior Triumvirate (along with her friends Andy and Gennifer), it is up to Jemima to plan large events like prom and the annual Powderpuff football game. This year, Jemima has some big ideas about how to shake up the school prom, planning to let every student make a list of crushes to be paired with for the dance. When all of the entries get leaked, however, Jemima finds herself in a sticky situation. Add to this the stress of her complicated feelings for Andy (who was, as it turns out, the only name she wrote down), and Jemima is in for a senior year she will never forget.
First of all, I have to say that I absolutely love how this book handles conversations about feminism. At the beginning of the book, Jemima considers herself to be a "hardcore feminist," to the point where even her friends refer to her as the "Jeminist." She scoffs at all things "Old" and "White" and "Male," while also sticking her nose up at the popular cheerleader girls conforming to the patriarchy. Initially, Jemima represents the stereotypical feminist, dying her armpit hair blue and generally snarking on anything she deems to be sexist or patriarchal. As the book progresses, however, she begins to develop more as a character, realizing that there is no one right way to be a feminist or to stick up for women. I loved this idea, as I think it's important for women and girls to stick together rather than tearing one another down, a lesson Jemima has to learn over the course of the story.
For example, at the beginning Jemima has a very strained relationship with Gennifer, another member of the Triumvirate. Jemima views Gennifer as being the stereotypical air-headed popular girl, but begins to realize that Gennifer is actually extremely smart and willing to back her up when the going gets tough. Similarly, Jemima tends to dismiss her best friend Jiyoon, never even considering her as a potential candidate for senior class chairman (because, in her words, it's pointless for girls to even try running and she won't stand a chance). Jemima's "feminist agenda" starts out being very superficial, consisting of a lot of complaining and very little action or self reflection. She eventually learns, however, that real feminism looks a lot more like sticking up for your fellow woman, building her up and encouraging her as a teammate instead of tearing her down. I think this is an incredibly important message for teens to hear, as our modern society tends to pit women against each other as "competition," constantly comparing women based on the way they act, look, and think.
Another topic I think this book handles well is sex. Sex in YA literature can often feel uncomfortable for me, as I am an adult woman reading about teenagers having sex (it's a little icky). I do, however, appreciate when a book can discuss sex in a healthy, matter-of-fact way, without glorifying it or fear-mongering to its audience. In this book, sex is simply one part of Jemima's journey, as she moves from "making out," to giving oral sex, to "going all the way" with a guy she has complicated feelings for. Sex and sexual desire are represented as simply being a normal thing that everyone experiences, and the sex scenes themselves are in no way romanticized; they are just presented as realistic encounters. The book even mentions masturbation at the beginning, usually a taboo subject in literature aimed at young people. I personally think it's a very healthy thing to discuss, and reading a book like this might help take away the stigma of shame that often accompanies sexual exploration for teenage girls.
I also like that this book seems to debunk the myth that having sex with someone will form a "life-long attachment you can never get over," something I was actually told in my sex ed classes in high school. Instead, Jemima explores different sexual acts with Andy, but never starts an actual relationship with him. In fact, by the end of the story, we have no idea whether or not they will reconcile or form a relationship at all, as it ends with Jemima spending time with her friends instead of going to prom. While my romance-driven heart was saddened by this, I like that this plot is left open-ended, as it represents a more realistic view of teenage relationships. In reality, the first person you sleep with might not be your soulmate, and real relationships are messy and uncertain. Both Jemima and Andy deal with a lot of inner turmoil, having moments where they seem to be on the same page and moments where they're at each others' throats.
The most important thing, however, is the book emphasizes that it is ultimately Jemima's choice how far she goes, and which lines can and cannot be crossed. Even better, Andy seems to respect this, never forcing himself on her and asking for consent before they finally have sex. While this book is geared more towards girls than boys, I think consent is a CRUCIAL topic when discussing sex in YA literature. There is even a section of the book where Jemima ponders the social construct of virginity, and decides that there really is no line between "saint" and "slut;" it all depends on how you view your own sexual experiences and desires. This is also extremely important, as too many young teens and women are exposed to "slut shaming," making them feel terrible for taking agency over their own sex lives. Ultimately, it is not society's ideas that matter, but what each of us feel comfortable with on an individual level. I commend Hattemer for tackling this topic, and I think she did a great job.
While there isn't a ton of LGBT representation in this book, I really appreciate Jemima's brother Crispin, who is an excellent example of both a great big brother and casual LGBT representation. Crispin is gay, and while the book alludes to the fact that he sometimes had a hard time in high school, nobody seems to make a big deal about the fact that he is gay. In fact, the only controversy he faces throughout the book is the fact that he's dating his coworker in secret, which may cause him to lose his job if his supervisor finds out. Crispin is also an incredible older brother, offering advice and comfort to Jemima as she struggles with her identity and sexual exploration. He encourages her to "think about what she really wants" before going too far, and also gently reminds her throughout the book to rein in some of her over-the-top ideas and schemes. Their relationship is incredibly sweet, and I found myself wishing I'd grown up with a protective older brother like Crispin as I read.
Lastly, I want to touch on Jiyoon, who is another important character when it comes to both representation and intersectional feminism. As Jemima's best friend, Jiyoon serves as a constant reminder to Jemima that feminism encompasses much more than just "straight white female." Near the beginning of the book, Jemima reflects on the privilege that allowed her wealthy parents to afford her education, while Jiyoon is on scholarship. Additionally, Jiyoon is Asian-American, and is often stereotyped to be "smart and nothing else." Jemima herself has to reconcile with the sexist notion that "girls cannot be both popular and smart," leading her to initially dismiss the idea that her friend could ever become the senior chairman.
Once again, Jemima learns a valuable lesson about treating other women as individuals rather than cookie cutter stereotypes, and valuing them for who they are rather than placing them into convenient categories. Jiyoon and Jemima's friendship hits a lot of bumps and curves throughout the book, but the two always manage to forgive one another and have each other's backs. Anyone who reads my reviews knows how much I appreciate strong female friendships in YA, and this was no exception!
The Feminist Agenda of Jemima Kincaid tackles issues like feminism and sex in a witty, humorous way that never once feels preachy or overdone. I genuinely found myself laughing out loud at some of the snarky things Jemima says throughout the book, and I really appreciated the light-hearted mood it evoked. Though Jemima acknowledges that high school drama feels life-altering and horrible in the moment, Hattemer also seems to be telling the reader that it's okay not to have everything figured out in high school.
Like any coming of age novel, this book showcases a time in most adolescent lives that is later remembered fondly, a time when everyone is trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be. The characters all learn a lot, but nothing is too serious or too awful to be fixed with some communication, and I think the novel shows us a very realistic (if light-hearted) slice of high school life. Add in the frank and healthy discussions about feminism, prejudice, and sex, and this book makes for an entertaining read with even greater messages. I would gladly recommend it to any teenage girl trying to find herself, especially one struggling with identity, self reflection, or sexuality. I think this book offers a lot of interesting ideas ripe for healthy discussion, and it does so in a fun and humorous way. I look forward to reading more of Kate Hattemer's work in the future.
October 27, 2020
This book would’ve been wonderful for me to read when I was in high school. The best aspects of this book were the commentaries on what it means to truly be feminist, and Jemima’s older brother, Crispín. Jemima was a very flawed protagonist, but I appreciated how her problematic viewpoints were constantly called out and corrected by other characters as she learned.
Sadly, the structure of the book was rather lacking. There wasn’t much compelling the story forward, so it felt like the author wanted to write a book about feminism and had to come up with stuff to fill up a book so the feminist discussion could have a setting. The scenes also often lacked the spark of immersion and were too heavy in back-to-back dialogue without tags or beats. The things that kept me interested were Jiyoon and Crispin. He honestly was amazing and it would’ve been nice for him to have more of a storyline throughout the novel.
Sadly, the structure of the book was rather lacking. There wasn’t much compelling the story forward, so it felt like the author wanted to write a book about feminism and had to come up with stuff to fill up a book so the feminist discussion could have a setting. The scenes also often lacked the spark of immersion and were too heavy in back-to-back dialogue without tags or beats. The things that kept me interested were Jiyoon and Crispin. He honestly was amazing and it would’ve been nice for him to have more of a storyline throughout the novel.
July 22, 2022
i have literally never. EVER. come across a protagonist this annoying and hypocritical and selfish and unlikeable. there were legitimately times when all i wanted to do is throw my kindle out if my window, with myself in it, because jemima kincaid is fictional and i can't throw HER out a window. just kidding. kinda.
but honestly!! i understand the point was that one could be a feminist while also have a bad case of internal misogyny. i DO. that wasn't even my problem. it's her being a plain selfish human being who ACTIVELY hurts the people around her. i just couldn't with that.
also, this is a personal preference, but there was so much.....unneeded sex.....i didn't cares about. at all.
the only redeeming quality about this book was the korean american side character bff jiyoon. sister DESERVED to be the MC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also the patron saint of patience while dealing with all of jemimas selfishness and hypocrisy tbh.
also side character gennifer rocked. gennifer ily pls be my gf.
also, the narration was kinda witty and is funny if u can get over jemima being so............jemima.
but honestly!! i understand the point was that one could be a feminist while also have a bad case of internal misogyny. i DO. that wasn't even my problem. it's her being a plain selfish human being who ACTIVELY hurts the people around her. i just couldn't with that.
also, this is a personal preference, but there was so much.....unneeded sex.....i didn't cares about. at all.
the only redeeming quality about this book was the korean american side character bff jiyoon. sister DESERVED to be the MC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also the patron saint of patience while dealing with all of jemimas selfishness and hypocrisy tbh.
also side character gennifer rocked. gennifer ily pls be my gf.
also, the narration was kinda witty and is funny if u can get over jemima being so............jemima.
November 24, 2020
While this book was an entertaining read and it had a good message of being a feminist, but not a choosy feminist, it feel like it spent too much time building up the love interest (which didn’t get a satisfactory, complete ending in my opinion) than in showing Jemima’s character development and addressing all the ways she ascribed to internalized misogyny and lowered her fellow females instead of raising them up. The love interest part of it was almost solely sexual in nature, and didn’t show Jemima critically grappling with her emotions or feelings and going through any real form of self-reflection about any of her many flaws.
March 4, 2020
2 1/2
Yes, the point is that Jemima is lowkey terrible and wrong about a bunch of things. Okay. But in 2020 a lot of this info isn’t exactly groundbreaking. There are some good quotes here and there, but the icky love interest and the nagging feeling that this book could’ve been a lot better if it starred Jiyoon kept this from being worthwhile.
Yes, the point is that Jemima is lowkey terrible and wrong about a bunch of things. Okay. But in 2020 a lot of this info isn’t exactly groundbreaking. There are some good quotes here and there, but the icky love interest and the nagging feeling that this book could’ve been a lot better if it starred Jiyoon kept this from being worthwhile.
May 5, 2022
This is tricky to review as the general idea - exploring feminism and what it means - is important, but the ideas expressed in the exploration of the bigger picture didn’t seem to challenge things much.
The story is set in a high school dominated by male traditions and focuses on the preparations for their end-of-year celebrations. We look at how the students are given power, what they do with it and how some of the traditions they celebrate are so steeped in privilege that it’s hard for students to recognise it.
Our main character is Jemima. She’s outspoken, keen to challenge the patriarchy (her words) but is as guilty as those she criticises for some of her outlook. While this has drawn a lot of criticism from many reviewers I felt she was a teenager trying to work things out. She questioned those in power, sometimes challenged them and made mistakes. Perhaps if I’d read this as a younger teenager I’d have been more enamoured by her/her fight.
I can’t help but feel that this book is a little slow off the mark. Some of the criticisms aimed at social constructs are used by these characters as they see fit. The main character didn’t really seem to develop much over the course of the book, and all the other characters struck me as pretty vapid so there wasn’t much on offer to get your teeth into.
The story is set in a high school dominated by male traditions and focuses on the preparations for their end-of-year celebrations. We look at how the students are given power, what they do with it and how some of the traditions they celebrate are so steeped in privilege that it’s hard for students to recognise it.
Our main character is Jemima. She’s outspoken, keen to challenge the patriarchy (her words) but is as guilty as those she criticises for some of her outlook. While this has drawn a lot of criticism from many reviewers I felt she was a teenager trying to work things out. She questioned those in power, sometimes challenged them and made mistakes. Perhaps if I’d read this as a younger teenager I’d have been more enamoured by her/her fight.
I can’t help but feel that this book is a little slow off the mark. Some of the criticisms aimed at social constructs are used by these characters as they see fit. The main character didn’t really seem to develop much over the course of the book, and all the other characters struck me as pretty vapid so there wasn’t much on offer to get your teeth into.
March 6, 2020
I didn't like Jemima very much for most of the book, then I realized she didn't like herself very much either. Maybe that is the point, women are hardwired to be in constant critique and we are the first person we see each day and the last each evening. No wonder we are so hard on ourselves.
February 15, 2025
It's fine. The main character is unlikeable but that's the point so it's kind of forgivable. All the things that are supposed to make the book special or funny or different fell flat for me. So, it just felt like every other ya novel. It really is ok.
April 18, 2023
96/292
1.5 stars- nah I'm good, not the worst, not the best, won't pick up again in my life type shit.
1.5 stars- nah I'm good, not the worst, not the best, won't pick up again in my life type shit.
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