Sexual Politics

Written by Kate Millett

Narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan

A sensation upon its publication in 1970, Sexual Politics documents the subjugation of women in great literature and art. Kate Millett's analysis targets four revered authors?D. H. Lawrence, Henry Miller, Norman Mailer, and Jean Genet?and builds a damning profile of literature's patriarchal myths and their extension into psychology, philosophy, and politics. Her eloquence and popular examples taught a generation to recognize inequities masquerading as nature and proved the value of feminist critique in all facets of life. This new edition features the scholar Catharine A. MacKinnon and the New Yorker correspondent Rebecca Mead on the importance of Millett's work to challenging the complacency that sidelines feminism.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980010845

Kate Millett

Kate Millett is the author of Sexual Politics and The Loony-Bin Trip.

Reviews for Sexual Politics

[Martin Council · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is kind of intense. Basically an academic critique of culture, but primarily of literature, from a feminist perspective. It’s intense in that it assumes that you are as well read as the author in the works she reviews, some I knew well, some I did not read but was familiar enough with the work, some were works I would like to read someday and others, like Norman Mailer, I have no desire whatsoever to read. In those places where I was unfamiliar with the work, I simply had to accept her interpretation, which I am always hesitant to do. The book was written in and in the sensibilities of the mid seventies, so, readers too young to be familiar with that era, will miss the connections, the nuanced points of view, the author is trying to make.
However, it is seminal work, if you’ll excuse the term, and I believe it is something with which anyone dedicated to feminism should be familiar. It can be depressing to discover what has not changed in the 50 years since the book was first published, but it also makes clear what is still on the agenda.
Highly recommended, but not a pleasure read. Intellectually challenging, particularly as a man, but very rewarding if one is dedicated to remaining teachable.

[seriousgrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Millett has a lot to say about male dominance and the history of sexuality. Her book, Sexual Politics, has been called sensational and groundbreaking. Critics gush that she was original in her thought. Sexual Politics has been reviewed as well researched and historically significant. Traditional gender roles persist despite changes in sexual behavior and norms. Sexual identities and behaviors are shaped and controlled by society's influences. Millett opens Sexual Politics by breaking down works by authors like Henry Miller, Normal Mailer, and D.H. Lawrence. Line by line she interprets intimate scenes to demonstrate a man's power over women. Erotic moments are no longer playful or sensual. In turn they become acts of dominance, humiliation, and abuse. Women are described as gullible, manipulated, possessed, and compliant. Men are arrogant, controlling, and often times they demonstrate contempt for the women with whom they share intimacy. In the second half of Sexual Politics, Millett goes on to describe the Victorian age when it was common law that a woman ceased to be her own person once she entered marriage. Her wages, possessions, and even children became property of the man of the house. His wife assumed serf status. Millett explores the norms of patriarchy - violence is a "right" of the dominant male. Whole societies (tribal Africa and elsewhere) subscribe to the hierarchy. Women are sometimes idolized or patronized but always exploited. Male dominance has been a universal standard for centuries. Just look at Freud's clinical work. He was the king of the penis envy theory and had the idea that women were just castrated males ("...maternal desires rest upon the last vestige of penile aspiration" p 185). Women cannot advance knowledge because of their lack of a penis - you cannot put out a fire without "equipment."
Remember the attitudes towards women in Nazi Germany during World War II...
All in all, Sexual Politics was depressing to read. Consider this: if you are a woman and you work in an occupation that serves others (teacher, nurse, governess), you are a servant or slave. If you are a live-in caretaker you are no better than a prisoner, kept under surveillance. Millet has this way of taking ordinary situations and turning them on their heads.

[Mayramg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Within the essential bibliography of feminism. The ABC of the movement. (Translated from Spanish)

[deckla_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An eyeopener. Moving, so scanning in some books. My favorite ones. After reading this, I swore off Mailer and H. Miller forever. Met Kate later, when she was making art in a studio in the East Village. My idea of an artistic rebel.

[lolakarns · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite Tara Mills so far! Inspired by the secret life of a politician's wife, Ms. Mills weaves a memorable story full of intelligent wit and sexy sizzle. Justine Hubbard knows her marriage to an up and coming politician Gary is a sham, but she plays the game until meeting photographer Sean o'Donnell. Sean recognizes the deep loneliness in Justine because it is an emotion he knows well. The interplay between the two is so fun and sophisticated. The scene at the museum crackles with vitality and I laughed alongside the characters, even as my heart broke knowing their conundrum. A highly recommended read.

[jjrenoux · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the late 1970s, in New york City, Kate was a friend, although for a short period because I moved away and lost contact. She was a fascinating person, incredibly astute and aware of women struggles. I am a man, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company, never felt that the women's lib movement was against people like me. When I was in need of shelter, she provided me with one and I still regret to this day not having been able to say thank you in a very meaningful way.
A sad note to her writing is that in 2015, women are still struggling in many parts of the world and also in the US, at the mercy of retard right wing politicians who seem to be incapable of recognizing their fears of the other sex, with their miserable antediluvian concepts. The worst is, that they are the ones condemning the way other societies are treating women without realizing that they are as bad if not worst, because of their hypocritical diatribes.
A book that every members of congress should read and learn by heart.

[christine_blackthorn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a book that has started the second wave (or third depending which academic you follow) of feminism and as such it has already historical value. It is a fascinating read, even today.