Abominations
Shriver, LionelDinner party etiquette would suggest diners not discuss money, religion or politics. Iconoclastic author Lionel Shriver would suggest no such restriction, any time, any place. In these 35 essays, speeches and op-eds, the subject matter is many and varied from cancel culture, #MeToo and freedom of speech through to cultural appropriation in literature.
Provocative, confrontational but imbued with clarity of argument, this book is a political correctness free-zone that is as fascinating as it is divisive.
Pages
304
304
Year
2022
2022
Reviews
13-08-2024
As a chapter book there were some we liked and some we did not at all. The author's transparency was appreciated, yet some thought a bit tiresome. Her viewpoint was sometimes like a lecture. But that is what some of our group appreciated, opinion pieces the reader can find a tension to argue for or against.
15-07-2024
A worthwhile read provoking good discussion. We found the font too small and faint.
10-07-2024
Excellent notes - book shows how persuasive a good writer can be - generated great discussion.
12-06-2024
Everyone enjoyed the book but some skipped some sections. All loved her writing and style and the diversity of topics. One of the longest discussions on a book we have ever had due to the thought provoking content. Identity/cultural appropriation in fiction writing caught the whole group's attention but most sections generated a great discussion. None of the group found anything offensive but all agreed some of her viewpoints were challenging.
16-04-2024
We appreciated the turn of phrase, the humour, the wit, and the intellectual heft Shriver puts into her work. We thought her view of cultural appropriateness was too extreme. However her views on friendship were insightful. Made us think - a very contrarian individual who has written some good books.