Status Updates From 800 years of women's letters

Omg that last letter from the chapter on Travellers and Travelling was so SWEET. Marked down for the racism tho :/

This has been such a great companion in between studying and while travelling. I've always known about women's ability and deep and meaningful participation in society but it is really comforting to see real, genuine examples of it, especially across such a large breadth of time

The chapter on Love and Sexual Passion hits so fucking hard:

Don't answer this, dearest. I don't require you to think of me as anything more than the evening breeze that sometimes kisses your cheek. I love you, you are so love-worthy. And once in a long time I love to say so to you. But I would not burden you with the weight of a rose leaf

OH HO HO HO this is everything I've ever wanted and more!! some of my fav lines so far:

'we are not so perfectly the rib of man as woman ought to be (p. xiv)
'I found strength in your command to destroy myself' (p. 6)
'Learning, if she has a real taste for it, will not only make her contented, but happy in it. N entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting' (p. 11)

Just finished reading the intro and I am MORE than ecstatic to read this

I am recording in installments and what a challenge the old style of writing is to the modern mode of speaking! Some of these letters rankle, many are about how to negotiate a male world. Often we hear how they advise to submit to the patriarchal pattern of submission. Frustrating but interesting.