Hello!! As the first semester begins to come to a close, I’ve been reflecting on all of the reading I’ve done in the past few months. As a humanities student, my homework on any given day consists of reading, reading, and more reading. I thought it would be worthwhile to review some of the things I’ve read and share a few opinions.
1st place
Book: Toward a Feminist Theory of the State by Catharine A. MacKinnon
Class: Feminist Legal Theory (Cross-listed Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought and Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies)
My Review: Reading MacKinnon actually changed my life. I love how her style doesn’t feel too highly theoretical and that she almost builds proofs with her arguments. Specifically, Chapter 9 “Rape: On Coercion and Consent,” (which I subsequently wrote a paper on), made points I had never considered. MacKinnon proves that the laws’ “neutrality” actually reflects a male bias, and so-called “subjective” female experiences deserve more credibility.
2nd place
Book: Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler
Class: Secrets and Lies (First Year Seminar)
My Review: In the 48 hours I had to read this book (thanks, Professor Sarat), I truly felt like I was in the jail cell with Rubashov. I spent 4 pm – 12 am in the Lyceium reading on the second-floor couch like my life depended on it. After finishing the book, I was rewarded with a class discussion about conceptions of morality and revolutionary ethics.
3rd place
Book: Metamorphosis by Ovid
Class: Greek Myth and Religion (Classics Department)
My Review: Returning to Greek Myth after developing a deep interest in the subject in middle school has been both fulfilling and illuminating. To my delight, when I went to pick up my books for this course (paid for by Amherst btw), I was shocked to discover that there were ELEVEN. As daunted as I was, it’s been wonderful to return to the classics, and Metamorphosis specifically has so much content to offer.
4th place
Book: Gender Trouble by Judith Butler
Class: SWAG 200 Theories in Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies (SWAG Department)
My Review: I’ve battled through Judith Butler’s work before, and found myself absolutely befuddled as a result. When I saw it on the syllabus in SWAG 200, I was initially nervous. However, Professor Karkazis combined Butler with an article on the experience of reading Gender Trouble, which helped things click for me. Here’s the article if you’re curious: Gender Trouble on Mother’s Day
Honorable mention
Book: The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
Class: Secrets and Lies (First Year Seminar)
My Review: The Prince is an absolutely classic. It’s the kind of book I’ve been telling people I’ve been “meaning to read for a while,” but it was good to actually have to read it for class. Is it perhaps a bit repetitive? Yes! Am I glad that I read it? Also yes.