As soon as I read Lisa Taddeo’s literary shot of tequila Animal, I feverishly searched for her book Three Women and bought it ASAP.
Beguiling and detailed, Three Women explores the complicated desires and sex lives of (you guessed it!) three real women.
This non-fiction book is a deep dive into what it means to be a “modern woman”; the constant eluding of stereotypical labels and narratives, at the same time wondering which (if any) might apply to yourself.
Taddeo tells the stories of a young woman fighting for justice after abuse she experienced as a minor, a woman whose husband wants nothing more than for her to cheat on him, and a third woman who has an affair with a man from her past that quickly turns sour.
Taddeo conducted hours of interviews to tell these women’s stories, and they are nuanced and fascinating. She’s not simply giving the details of their lives, she’s delving into how complicated it is to be a woman, situating her interviewees’ experiences within the broader scope of society’s treatment of women – particularly how female sexuality is frequently framed as something unsettling and uncontrollable.
Taddeo reminds me of another incredible writer, Curtis Sittenfeld, for her ability to write flawlessly about our inner worlds without sounding like she’s simply listing thoughts. (Ian McEwan is also a boss at this.)
Head to your nearest book emporium and get “Three Women”. (And literally anything by Curtis Sittenfeld and Ian McEwan.) It’s a compelling and valuable reading experience.
Get your copy Three Women by Lisa Taddeo here.
Cherie lives, works, and reads in beautiful Tasmania – the green island gem below Australia known for its gorgeous landscape and beautiful wildlife. She holds multiple academic qualifications in English, journalism, and fine art theory, and has worked in writing, editing, and communications roles for more than a decade. Most importantly, she has a deep love for books that began as soon as she learned how to read.
Old, new, any genre – for Cherie, reading is about as vital as breathing. She is interested in sharing books that move, excite, and compel, so others can share the joy of a truly great read. While she reads across most genres, her favourite is literary fiction. Particularly anything by Margaret Atwood, Ottessa Moshfegh, Kate Atkinson, Elizabeth Berg, Ann Patchett, and Anne Tyler.
Cherie frequents Tasmania’s beautiful boutique book shops as well as scouring secondhand shops for books to add to her extensive home library. Catch up with her on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
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