IN SEARCH OF MARY: THE MOTHER OF ALL JOURNEYS by BEE ROWLATT.
Toddler in tow, Bee Rowlatt embarks on an extraordinary journey in search of the life and legacy of the first celebrity feminist: Mary Wollstonecraft. From the wild coasts of Norway to a naked re-birthing in California, via the blood-soaked streets of revolutionary Paris, Bee learns what drove her hero on and what's been won and lost over the centuries in the battle for equality.
On this biographical treasure hunt she finds herself consulting a witch, a porn star, a quiet Norwegian archivist and the tenants of a blighted council estate in Leeds - getting much more than she bargained for. In her quest to find a new balance between careers and babies, Bee also discovers the importance of celebrating the radiant power of love in all our lives.
- Back Cover Blurb
I'm nineteen, and Paul and Nello are arranging my thong.
- First Sentence, Part One. Chapter One: There's something About Mary
No one else is tottering under a rucksack like a misshapen tortoise whilst pushing a beaming baby in a large buggy.
- Memorable Moment, Page 58
SOURCE ... A Reading Group read.
READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No
MY THOUGHTS ... A perfect read given that March celebrates the International Women's Day and whilst I'm pretty much au fait with the likes of Emmeline Pankhurst and Emily Davison I know next to nothing about Mary Wollstonecraft, the 'Mary' of the title, in whose footsteps the author followed ... sort of.
An OK read, somewhat self indulgent and perhaps more entertaining as a travelogue, but OK.
My main gripes?
Written in three parts, the first is set in Scandinavia, the second, Paris, the third? The third .... California? Hmm! Really?
I felt that, if not exactly knowing more about her, I certainly came away understanding a lot more about the admittedly affluent and privileged Bee Rowlatt and little more about Mary.
Whilst the book touched on many 'feminist' issues (not least of which 'how the feminist perspective accommodates motherhood'), it never quite 'answered' them or at least not in any great depth, leaving me to wonder if perhaps the author had (to use one of my nana's expressions) bitten off more than she could chew; that she wasn't such an expert on Mary as to give (let alone make) any real sense of her life.
The two things to recommend it?
The differing dialogues (that of the author and reader and that of the author and Mary) make this an interesting introduction to Mary. If nothing else it certainly made me eager to know more about her.
Read as a lone reader it was fine but, I think, to read it as a book club read will add a whole other dimension. I'm certainly looking forward to discovering what the others made of it.
8 comments:
This sounds interesting. Wollstonecraft Seemed like a very intriguing person. I have not read anything written by her however. I think that I would want to do that before reading this.
I'm afraid this one just doesn't appeal to me.... but would certainly give it a go if it were chosen as a book club selection. After all, book club has made me read outside my comfort zone, usually with good results.
I hope your group discussion lives up to your expectations.
Tracy,
Although this book sounds interesting
because of Mary. But keeping in mind
your thoughts about it (both pro and
con). I think I would borrow it from
the library.
Raven
I like the premise, especially because I don't know a lot about Mary either - but it sounds like the author didn't quite hit the mark. Thanks for sharing though!! :)
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Enjoy the group discussion and I wish you good luck with the next book.
sherry @ fundinmental
The blurb really sounds appealing but it sounds like it didn't quite live up to the promise when reading. Hope you have a good discussion about it. I don't know very much about her either.
It sounds interesting but like the author should have done more research.
Probably a good book for discussion even though you didn't love it as much as you hoped.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
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