recommend me some accessible first feminist reads for...

[GoodLuckTime]

My niece: 17, not likely to have had much exposure to feminist though / ideas at home (v trad gender split of roles, with Mum very focused on looks and style). Not attempting to burn the house down here, but would like to give my bright, thoughtful niece a window into other ways of seeing the world.

Am thinking of How to be a Woman as v accessible and funny but concious she is of my generation and wonder if there is something better?

My mum: mid 70s. finally left my unappreciative, some might say low level abusive father 10 years ago. Seems stuck in a place of victim-hood, seeing my dad's dismissiveness of her as a sign of her lack of worthiness, rather than, say, a product of a patriarchal society that taught men of that generation they SHOULD be self absorbed (not that this is an excuse for his behaviour, but still).

[GuardianLions]

MaybeThe Beauty Myth by Naomi Woolf for your neice

And although I haven't read it myself - how about Wifework by Susan Maushart for your mum?

[Littlesnail]

How about The Power by Naomi Alderman for your niece? It's a fab read in its own right.
Will need to have a think for your mum.

[QuentinSummers]

The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood. It's a novel about women but covers a lot of feminist aspects in how those women see themselves and what happens to them. Might be good for either of them.

I second The Power.

[Bolshybookworm]

The Women's Room by Marilyn French- it's accessible and a page turner as well as being feminist literature.

[whitehandledkitchenknife]

All by Marge Piercy

Vida
Woman on the Edge of Time
Body of Glass
Braided Lives
Gone to Soldiers

.....in fact, anything by Marge Piercy!

[DJBaggySmalls]

Someone really needs to write an accessible primer, and a brief womens history. With loads of photos to inspire us.

[Thelilywhite]

The Women's Room by Marilyn French Anything by Marge Piercy
Agreed! I read these in my early twenties and never looked back!
I also like Living Dolls by Natasha Walters. Have lent my copy to several young woman and it has started many interesting discussions about the objectification of women.

[GuardianLions]

Did anyone see The Ascent of Woman by Amanda Foreman? I thought that was such a brilliant examination of the evidence of Patriarchy and women overcoming worldwide.. Her burning anger was beautiful... I wonder if they'll make a nice glossy history book out of it.

[whitehandledkitchenknife]

In addition to The Robber Bride, I highly recommend the MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood, particularly for your niece.

[W8what]

I loved living doll, clarified some half formed thoughts of my own, would def give to any young woman (and man) to read.

[slug]

Girl Up by Everyday Sexism's Laura Bates is aimed at teen girls
Women and Power by Mary Beard is small and easily digestible and gives an easy read into the history of the patriarchy.