Fight Like a Girl by Clementine Ford

As a 48 year old woman living in Sydney, I had never really felt comfortable with the word feminist, because I thought people would think badly of me. Funnily enough, I ended up working at The Feminist Bookshop in Lilyfield until it closed in 2011.

I had read a few titles on feminism and listened to friends and radio programs etc, but I was honestly blown away when I read Fight Like a Girl by Clementine Ford. Ford articulates all the things that I have thought and felt as a woman but never really had the words to put it out there.

I wished I had read parts of this book when I was a young teenager and fighting the demons of what my body looked like and what society was telling me my body should look like. Ford really does pack a punch towards the trolls who try and tell her how she should behave and dress and look as a woman.

Be prepared for her honesty and some swearing, but also be prepared to read something by someone that does not and will not put up with any crap. I laughed at times and felt angry and wanted to put the book down for a while in disbelief, but I could not put it down.

I am proud to call myself a feminist now but l also know that I have to choose my battles. This is not a book about man-haters or feminazis (such a lovely term!!), it’s a book about passion and trying to find equality for woman.

Find Fight Like a Girl by Clementine Ford in the SMSA Library Catalogue

Lisa Mantle
Casual SMSA Library Officer