Rape: From Lucretia to #MeToo

(Hardback)

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From Title IX cases on campus, to #metoo and #timesup, rape is a definitive issue at the heart of feminism, and lately, its barely out of the news. Cultural critic Mithu Sanyal is picking up where Susan Brownmiller left off in her influential 1975 book Against Our Will. In fact, she argues that the way we understand rape hasnt changed since then, even as the world has changed beyond recognition. She contends that it is high time for a new and informed debate about rape, sexual boundaries and consent. Sanyal argues that the way we as a society understand rape tells us not just how we understand sexual violence, but how we understand sex, sexuality, and gender itself. For instance, why is it so hard to imagine men as victims of rape Why do we expect victims to be irreparably damaged When we think of rapists, why do we still think of strangers in dark alleys, rather than uncles, husbands, priests, or boyfriends The book examines the role of race and the trope of the black rapist, the omission of male victims, and what we mean when we talk about rape culture. She provocatively takes every received opinion we have about rape, and turns it inside out arguing with liberals, conservatives, feminists and sexists alike.

Reviews

An essential book for our times by a writer at the height of her powers. Gripping, informed and accessible, this will be an instant feminist classic. -- Laurie Penny, author of Unspeakable Things
Mithu Sanyal demonstrates why society tends to stick to centuries-old stigmata of sexual stereotypes when talking about sexual violence - she enlightens an irrational discourse. * Spiegel *
Offers a refreshing perspective on how and what feminists should prioritise * Australian Book Review *

Author Bio

Mithu M. Sanyal is an award-winning broadcaster, academic and author. Her first book, Vulva was translated into five languages.