Men Explain Things to Me

by Rebecca Solnit
Men Explain Things to Me cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Essays / Essay Collections
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  • ID: 9527
  • Added: 2026-01-01
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781783780808
  • Publisher: Granta Books
  • Published: 2014-11-06
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 4

Rebecca Solnit's essay 'Men Explain Things to Me' sparked a cultural phenomenon and inspired the term 'mansplaining.' This collection brings together her most powerful feminist writings, tackling topics from rape culture to the nuclear family, and from Virginia Woolf to colonialism. Solnit's work is a fierce and incisive exploration of issues often overlooked by patriarchal societies. With exquisite prose, she proves herself a vital and humane thinker, leading the feminist movement with grace and energy. /n/n From rape culture to mansplaining, and from French sex scandals to marriage, Solnit's essays cover a wide range of feminist issues. Her writing is not only a critique of societal norms but also a call to action, inspiring everyone from radical activists to global icons like Beyoncé Knowles. Solnit's work is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist thought and social justice.

Reviews
Be Exactly Who You Want To Be · 2017-06-10
brilliant 4.50

This collection of essays is a clear and straightforward exploration of the need for feminism. It highlights the issues women face in a succinct manner.

This collection of essays is a clear and straightforward exploration of the need for feminism. It highlights the issues women face in a succinct manner. The essays are brilliant and thought-provoking, offering a deep dive into the everyday experiences of women. They provide a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of feminism in today's society. The essays are well-written and engaging, making complex issues accessible to a wide audience. They offer a fresh perspective on familiar topics, challenging readers to think critically about their own beliefs and experiences.

Quick quotes

    This is a brilliant collection of seven essays on feminism.

    It sets out succinctly and in a clear, straightforward way, all the shit that we need feminism for.

    It's a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2016-08-31
mixed 3.50

The collection is brilliant in a literary sense, but the essays themselves are of uneven quality.

This collection of essays is brilliant in a literary sense, offering a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of feminism. However, the essays themselves are of uneven quality, with some standing out as particularly insightful and well-written, while others fall short. The collection as a whole is a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of sexism. It challenges readers to think critically about their own experiences and the experiences of others, offering a nuanced perspective on a complex issue. The essays are well-researched and engaging, making complex issues accessible to a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    At the end of the day, Men Explain Things to Me is brilliant in a literary kind of way.

    The essays themselves are of uneven quality when it comes to the overall impact.

    It's a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Goodreads · 2014-04-14
sobering 3.00

The book is deeply depressing but necessary to read. It sheds light on the harsh realities of gender inequality and the struggles women face daily.

This book is a heavy read, but it's an important one. The author doesn't shy away from the harsh truths about gender inequality, making it a challenging but necessary read. The essays are well-written and thought-provoking, offering a raw and honest look at the issues women face. While it can be depressing, it's a crucial read for anyone looking to understand the systemic problems that women encounter. It's a book that stays with you long after you've finished reading.

Quick quotes

    This book is so depressing that I had to read this one at the same time to prevent me from spiralling down into despair.

    You may have heard of the term mansplaining.

    It's a crucial read for anyone looking to understand the systemic problems that women encounter.

Guernica · 2012-08-20
insightful 4.00

The essay clarifies that mansplaining is not a universal flaw of the gender but rather the intersection between overconfidence and cluelessness.

This essay provides a clear and insightful look into the phenomenon of mansplaining. It explains that mansplaining is not a universal flaw of the gender but rather the intersection between overconfidence and cluelessness. The essay is well-researched and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced perspective on a complex issue. It challenges readers to think critically about their own experiences and the experiences of others. The essay is a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of mansplaining.

Quick quotes

    The essay makes it clear mansplaining is not a universal flaw of the gender, just the intersection between overconfidence and cluelessness.

    It's a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

    The essay is well-researched and thought-provoking.

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