The F-word discussion

Let's read this and talk about it! I had not heard of it, so am looking forward to checking it out.

I am currently reading The Golden Notebook. 73% through. I'll reserve comment for now.

Anyone started this monster of a book yet? I'm really keen to learn what people think. I finally finished it yesterday.

Alright. I'll kick it off. I found this an enormously long and pointless read. I loved the book description. But the book itself hurt. I understood neither the content nor the conclusion. I was so relieved when I got to the end.

Natasha (Diarist) wrote: "Alright. I'll kick it off. I found this an enormously long and pointless read. I loved the book description. But the book itself hurt. I understood neither the content nor the conclusion. I was so ..."

I'm starting this today and I'm so disappointed to hear you didn't like it. :/

Nicole wrote: "I'm starting this today and I'm so disappointed to hear you didn't like it. :/"

Probably just me, Nicole. It's a classic, very popular, top star rating. ... I couldn't stand The Great Gatsby, or Beloved. I'm a philistine. ...

Sorry, I'm probably a philistine too, when it comes to this one. I read this a while back, and was simply left mystified as to why everyone calls it a feminist classic. I'm trying to decide if I'm up to giving it a second look. But your description, Natasha, just gave me a huge kick of deja vu. I admire your perseverance! (Incidentally, I loved her Martha Quest books. Those went somewhere!

Alexa wrote: "was simply left mystified as to why everyone calls it a feminist classic."

Because it mentions menstruation? That, at least, was original.

Bummer you didn't like it, Natasha. I had trouble getting into it the first time I tried to read it, but in retrospect think I was just too young for it. It's not an easy read, I think, and one that can't just be breezed through. I was able to get through it all the second time I read it and I thought it was great. I've been meaning to re-read it now that I'm still a little older, but wasn't able to manage a read-along right now.

The whole book deals with women's struggles and issues. I believe that, in itself, is what makes it a feminist classic. That book was ahead of its time for 1962.

El wrote: "The whole book deals with women's struggles and issues. I believe that, in itself, is what makes it a feminist classic. That book was ahead of its time for 1962."

The women's sexual liberation stuff was great. And the communist politics were fascinating. I think the further I get away from this book in time, the more fondly I will remember it.

I'm still waiting for my copy of this to arrive, but I'll start it the second it shows up in my mailbox!