Synchronicity and The Feminine Mystique

Am I the only one who didn’t read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan between the time it was written and when it was re-issued on its 50th anniversary? I remember saying I wanted to read it in 2013, but I was afraid that it was going to be one of those uber academic feminist books that are nearly impossible to read/understand.

I am here to say that it is not so and that I am thoroughly enjoying it. I’m early in the book and Friedan is reviewing the history of women’s activism. It’s interesting and accessible. It’s encouraging to think that many of these battles are in the past, but a little unnerving to realize that we’re beginning to fight some of the same old ones.

If you also have been hesitant to pick it up, I encourage you to do so.

Last night I attended Mary Chapin Carpenter’s concert in Eau Claire. Somewhere during the night she sang “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her.” This is a ‘retort’ if you will to the old Geritol commercial where the husband lists all the wonderful attributes of his wife, which of course include taking Geritol, and then says “My wife, I think I’ll keep her.” Both the commercial and the song embody what The Feminine Mystique is about. (I'll attempt to post the video of the song here. If that doesn't work, click this link.)




I love it when things come together like that.

Sue Grafton’s Alphabet

My husband got me started on this series quite some time ago. What I like about the books is what I suppose anyone likes about any series: the characters and setting are usually familiar. It’s like catching up with old friends. I like Kinsey Milhone – she’s self sufficient, straightforward, and a nice person. I like the setting of Santa Theresa and the weather and ocean. I like the straight police procedural format that Grafton uses. And, finally, you don’t have to wonder which book came where in the series.

I find there’s something else I like about following an author over time: seeing them change, evolve, take chances. I love that she’s 75 and still writing books that I enjoy. In some of her last books, Grafton has become philosophical. Or, maybe it has just become more apparent. At any rate, she’s entitled. Here’s a quote I found thought provoking in the opening passages of an earlier book:

The basic question is this: given human nature, are any of us really capable of change? The mistakes other people make are usually patently obvious. Our own are tougher to recognize. In most cases, our path through life reflects a fundamental truth about who we are now and who we’ve been since birth. We’re optimists or pessimists, joyful or depressed, gullible or cynical, inclined to see adventure or to avoid all risks. Therapy might strengthen our assets or offset our liabilities, but in the main we do what we do because we’ve always done it that way, even when the outcome is bad . . . perhaps especially when the outcome is bad.

That small paragraph made me think about change and human nature and made me watch the main character of the book closely.

Anyway, I just finished W is for Wasted. It’s as enjoyable as the rest of her Kinsey Milhone series. I liked it, I liked the characters. Homeless people figured into the mystery. And, in the end, via a eulogy for one of them, she gives us her thought on homeless people. I’ll have to read that part again. A few times. I don’t know if I agree or not, but I like that she is putting it out there.

And, “X” is now available. Enjoy!