The Second Sex. DH has bought me the French because the English is hard!

[speakingwoman]

After a couple of hours struggling with the introduction, without understanding (a) the philosophers she refers to (b) the political context she refers to and (c) the dense prose which seems to be translatable in six different ways, I pronounce myself stuck.

DH has kindly showed up with (a) the original French (I have an A level from 1989 and use French on campsites) and (b) a book called “At the Existentialist cafe” by Sarah Bakewell.

I wondered what kind of relationship others have with the book.

I read it cover to cover as a sixth former (in English!). If I recall correctly most of it is less philosophy and more history so if you soldier on through the opening chapters you should be fine.
The detailed description of how one 'becomes a woman' has left me very impatient with the misappropriation of that phrase by TAs and allies who clearly haven't read it given that it argues pretty much the opposite of what they claim. (ie it demonstrates how gender exists as a social category forced on us, which pretty much precludes the view that it is merely a matter of identification).

I read it in my early 20s. I agree with TheCountess - a lot of it is pretty readable. But then it was a long time ago!

But “gender” wasn’t a term De Beauvoir would have used, surely? It comes later?

Yes, you must be right. Womanhood?

Pick your translator.....

A group of us are having a read along of this over on Gender Hammer if you're interested - Most are planning to start this weekend.

thank you!

Which translation have you got? Read this then pick a side: www.lrb.co.uk/v32/n03/toril-moi/the-adulteress-wife