I wasn’t far into Three Women by journalist Lisa Taddeo when I knew I was reading something very important in the world of women’s studies and feminist literature. I felt it immediately belonged on my shelf next to The Feminine Mystique and Fear of Flying. The book was published this summer and I grabbed a copy as soon as it hit shelves.
Three Women tells the stories of three real women in various stages of life, navigating relationships in three different parts of the country. There is Maggie, a 20-something recovering from the trauma of having an affair with her teacher while she was in high school. Then there is Lina, a housewife whose husband refuses to kiss her. Finally there is Sloane, a successful restaurant owner whose husband suggests they bring other people into their bedroom.
Taddeo followed these women and interviewed them extensively over several years. This immersion into their lives made the narrative very relatable and descriptive. I found myself really rooting for these three women, even with their flaws. After all, it is our flaws that make us real.
There is a great deal of sexual content in the book as told through the three women’s points of view, so be forewarned if you’re offended by that kind of thing. I found it critical to understanding the point Taddeo makes in the book when it comes to sexism in the world of male and female desire. Although all three of these women’s stories seem a bit extreme, there are pieces I believe any of us can relate to as human beings. We want to be loved. We want to be important to someone.
A HOUSE WITH CHARACTER 