Sarah C. (elizardbreath) reviewed Shakespeare's Sisters: How Women Wrote the Renaissance on + 22 more book reviews
While I did find this book valuable in a few ways, it definitely had its frustrations.
My main issue is how the author tells the stories of these four women. Rather than telling them one by one, on a timeline that helps the reader follow and keep their stories separate, she tells them on a chronological timeline. This means she's switching from woman to woman, telling what they're doing in each era of this timeline, but mercilessly confusing the reader who is likely new to at least most of their stories. The author knows these stories are new to most readers --- that's her reason for writing the book. Why would she make this so difficult? While we were still in the era of Queen Elizabeth I, I was tracking pretty good. After that, she lost me. Next time I read this, I'll be sure to hop around and read each woman's story fully before moving on to the next.
Secondly, I think these women were praised a little too highly for their "bravery" in developing their writing "careers". Regardless of the times, most of these women neglected their families to write. Not ok. As a writing mom of nine, I've been waiting a lonnnng time for that "room of one's own" to be able to write uninterrupted. There is a time for everything and this is not yet fully my time. I have a hard time respecting a parent who sets aside parenting to pursue their own interests.
Still, I think this is a great resource for Renaissance history and I know I will read back through it at least one more time. In the meantime, I'll be looking for works by these women which are finally in print again after all these centuries.
For more, visit my BookTube Channel, Belle's Library.
My main issue is how the author tells the stories of these four women. Rather than telling them one by one, on a timeline that helps the reader follow and keep their stories separate, she tells them on a chronological timeline. This means she's switching from woman to woman, telling what they're doing in each era of this timeline, but mercilessly confusing the reader who is likely new to at least most of their stories. The author knows these stories are new to most readers --- that's her reason for writing the book. Why would she make this so difficult? While we were still in the era of Queen Elizabeth I, I was tracking pretty good. After that, she lost me. Next time I read this, I'll be sure to hop around and read each woman's story fully before moving on to the next.
Secondly, I think these women were praised a little too highly for their "bravery" in developing their writing "careers". Regardless of the times, most of these women neglected their families to write. Not ok. As a writing mom of nine, I've been waiting a lonnnng time for that "room of one's own" to be able to write uninterrupted. There is a time for everything and this is not yet fully my time. I have a hard time respecting a parent who sets aside parenting to pursue their own interests.
Still, I think this is a great resource for Renaissance history and I know I will read back through it at least one more time. In the meantime, I'll be looking for works by these women which are finally in print again after all these centuries.
For more, visit my BookTube Channel, Belle's Library.
