The Witches Are Coming

I am a bonafide 31 year old New York City progressive Democratic female, which is to say that I should be the in-the-pocket target audience for this book. But it goes too far. This book paints the liberal left as heroes who MUST champion a decisive movement chock-full of black and white thinking to save our world and the right as soulless monsters who are putting children and refugees in concentration camps. Its too far, and its not helpful. Im sorry Lindy, I absolutely love Shrill on Hulu which is why I picked up this book, but I now perceive you as a part of the problem. We dont need more bombastic division and propaganda and echo chambers, we need harsh realities and common ground in tandem. Your book is the former, and Im disappointed that I chose to spend $30 on it.

Ever since Trump was elected I have felt like I cannot breathe…this book is an oxygen mask. All of the frustrations, the sadness, the indescribable fear that I have felt West manages to articulate in a way that is not just poignantits utterly hysterical. I actually tried to read the book slower to make it last longer, thats how much I needed to hear this voice and these words. Ms. West, please write another book immediately. The women of America need you.

Like another reviewer here, Witches feels a little too much like propaganda to me. Whereas Shrill seems to be more about self-love & acknowledgment, this book comes across as an act of finger-pointing.

I completely understand that much of this is meant to provoke thought (it does) & inspire action (maybe?), but the comparisons seem too disparate & really ineffective. I can see where West is attempting to draw her connections to reach a conclusion (ex: the social media hype of Grumpy Cat vs the social media manipulation used by Trump), but it all just feels too extreme & too illusory.

Overall, this is an uncomfortable read for meit comes across as divisive rather than inspiring; too much about blame & too little about accountability. Instead of serving to mend the rift illuminated by #metoo, Witches does more to promote an irresponsible brand of extremism that benefits no one.

A brilliant book. I dont often buy more than one copy of a bookafter reading Jill Lepores These Truths: A History of the Unites States I ordered extras to give or loan out. And now this remarkable collection of essays by Lindy West. Having read Shrill, I anticipated Wests brash humor, intelligence and savvyher hallmarks as a stand-up comic. But also as an author, West synthesizes the elements of current social and political chaos with unique clarity, purpose and perspective that offers lasting relevance. It is pitch perfect. Bold. Cutting. Hilarious. Wise. A stand-up standout book.

Having never read Lindy West before I wasnt sure what I was in for, Shrill has been on my tbr list forever. I decided to start here and go into this with fresh eyes and it was great. I love how she takes something small and makes huge important points out of them like love of Adam Sandler and playing video games. I loved her breakdown of twitter and what its like being a fat woman on the Internet at any time. I really enjoyed reading this!

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