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Cover of On lies, secrets, and silence

On lies, secrets, and silence

First published 1979 · 358 pages

A fierce, poetic dismantling of patriarchal history that demands the reclamation of women's voices and truths.

What it feels like

Reading this collection feels like having a veil lifted from your eyes by a brilliant, uncompromising mentor. The pace is steady and deliberate, demanding that you sit with its heavy truths and sharp insights. The prose is a masterclass in blending a poet's lyrical precision with the rigorous, urgent edge of feminist theory. The atmosphere is one of righteous awakening, at times heavy with the grief of historical erasure, but ultimately propelled by a fierce, illuminating clarity. It is an intellectually demanding yet deeply personal experience, tracing the contours of silence and the radical act of speaking out. This book will profoundly resonate with readers who crave foundational feminist literature that challenges the mind while stirring the soul.

Mood
  • righteous
  • contemplative
  • awakening
  • serious
Tone
  • impassioned
  • uncompromising
  • intellectual
  • urgent
  • reflective
Pace
steady
Themes
the politics of language · female erasure and reclamation · intellectual awakening · lesbian existence · systemic silencing
The writing
Lyrical yet fiercely analytical, combining a poet's precision with rigorous, uncompromising feminist theory.
The arc
Moves from the heavy recognition of historical suppression toward a fierce, liberating clarity and the reclamation of voice.
Who it's for
Readers seeking foundational feminist essays that blend deeply personal reflection with sharp, systemic critique.
Content notes
  • misogyny
  • homophobia
  • systemic oppression
  • discussions of sexual violence

About the book

Translation of: On lies, secrets, and silence.

Includes bibliographical references.

Description from Open Library.

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