"A vital, poetic meditation on men and masculinity. Essential reading as the patriarchy crumbles."

It stands as a classic account of families whose structure is shaped by the rigid patriarchy around them.

"Since patriarchy is about controlling female bodies in order to control reproduction, this was and will always be basic."

"We’ve learned that Atwood’s novel should be read…as a warning about patriarchy and its control of reproduction as the underpinning of everything undemocratic."

By teaching us lessons from the hundreds of advanced cultures that prospered on this North American continent…Allen helps us to see that patriarchy is neither universal nor inevitable, but the first step in normalizing hierarchy

"This was the first book that explained radical feminism to me. She untangles the smallest, most insidious ways that we all contribute to preserving the patriarchy. She also carefully aligns all women: sex workers to stay-at-home mothers. Also, after reading this I will no longer participate in conversation about feminism that leaves out class and race."

". . . And speaking of unruly women, this film from 1985 remains entirely fresh in the way it presents its female protagonist. Mona is an unlikely role model, a woman on the outside. She has rejected a repressive order that can be understood as a kind of patriarchy, and even though it does not end well for her, it’s clear that nevertheless, while she was able, she persisted."