When Women Were Dragons - bookrastinating.com

Ameimse reviewed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Un récit de libération, plein de rage, de frustration et d'émotions

5 stars

L'histoire d'une adolescente blanche dans les années 50, dans des États-Unis marqués par la transformation soudaine de plus de 600.000 femmes en dragons. Un récit plein de rage et de frustrations, d'émotions et de vie, sur le poids des non-dits, des silences imposés et d'une discipline intériorisée. Mais c'est aussi une histoire d'affirmation et, à terme, de libération. Un livre au concept un peu déroutant de prime à bord (ces transformations en dragons dans le décor terriblement figé et oppressif de l'Amérique des années 50) mais qui se révèle tellement attachant, et se lit d'une traite et accompagne durablement.

mirihawk reviewed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Amazing

5 stars

This book is extremely well written and powerful. I highly recommend it.

KnittedMushroom reviewed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Review of 'When Women Were Dragons' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I think this was the fastest I've ever read a book. The chapters are short and punchy in the beginning, each referencing a significant moment in the "authors" life. The book is written as a memoir with scientific journals/court docs/opinion piece in newspapers mixed in between.

I loved the descriptions of knot magic throughout the book as an avid knitter/crocheter/weaver, so that may be what was pulling me through the first half of the book.

I really appreciated that the dragon allegory and society's reaction to it in the book can be applied to several topics outside of the classic 1950's feminism talking points. Yes you can slap the "They're talking about women's periods" onto it and just leave it be, but the book does spend a healthy amount of time talking about the emotional "why" of dragons and if you're looking, it very much isn't a biological thing.

I …

I think this was the fastest I've ever read a book. The chapters are short and punchy in the beginning, each referencing a significant moment in the "authors" life. The book is written as a memoir with scientific journals/court docs/opinion piece in newspapers mixed in between.

I loved the descriptions of knot magic throughout the book as an avid knitter/crocheter/weaver, so that may be what was pulling me through the first half of the book.

I really appreciated that the dragon allegory and society's reaction to it in the book can be applied to several topics outside of the classic 1950's feminism talking points. Yes you can slap the "They're talking about women's periods" onto it and just leave it be, but the book does spend a healthy amount of time talking about the emotional "why" of dragons and if you're looking, it very much isn't a biological thing.

I feel this book lets readers take a few different things away from it, but it doesn't throw them in your lap. I feel like I had a better emotional experience with this book reading between the lines of characters actions, but I will acknowledge I have very similar life experiences to the main character.