on her quest to uncover the origins of patriarchy, saini takes the reader from 7400 BCE to 2023, from prehistoric societies to modern-day india and iran, across native american settlements, socialist states, and so much more in between.
this journey through time and heritage is as illuminating as it is heartbreaking.
what lingers is the notion of constant struggle, of opposing forces in perpetual renewal: oppression and domination versus freedom and independence. both forces are entangled with the usual suspects: capitalism, colonialism, slavery, and racism.
and yet, there is also the distinct sense that—even though contested—change (no matter in what direction) takes time.
it needs to build, to simmer, sometimes over years, decades, perhaps even centuries. so much so that the point where patriarchy begins and tradition ends can no more easily be separated than the point where culture begins and identity ends.
as such, the feeling that stayed with me after i finished the book is that of being but a particle of dust in something much bigger than any one person may ever fully grasp.
this, however, is a personal impression that should in no way be associated with saini’s writing or reasoning, which are both as fluid and straightforward as one can be when tackling these age-old dynamics.
she guides the reader with great skill through an immense amount of often conflicting and bewildering information, while creating a sense of suspense and anticipation rarely found in the non-fiction world.
in a nutshell
this book is a pure delight in storytelling on a deeply engaging topic. i loved every page, as my highlighter pen can attest.
and if history and/or gender equality is your jam, chances are you will too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
