Rage Becomes Her

Subtitle: The Power of Women’s Anger

Author: Soraya Chemaly

Genre: Nonfiction

Format: Physical Purchase

Publish Date: September 2018

Read: February 2024

Favorite Quote: A “no-nonsense” woman is “cold,” “bitchy,” and disliked. If she expresses frustration or anger at being treated unfairly, or even asks for help, she is considered less competent and less deserving of pay or reward.

Synopsis: Do women feel anger? Absolutely. Are women allowed - through social constructs, gender norms, and childhood socialization - to express that anger? No.

From the time women are babies, we are treated differently. The expectations of being “good” for women are not the same as men. The never-ending drip, drip, drip of microactions and microaggressions against women build so that women feel rage, but are unable to express that rage successfully. Chemaly argues that female rage is not a problem but part of the solution for gender inequity around the world.

Why does this book beguile? Soraya Chemaly explores what it means to be angry as a woman and how that anger is consistently policed, toned down for the sake of others, and kept inside to the detriment of our health and happiness. The author discusses everything from parenting biases, perceived fragility, what rage means for white women versus non-white women (and other intersectionality), and examines the gender-pay gap.

Yes, this book enraged me. Reading statistic after statistic about how women are treated, silenced, and ignored in our society made me want to throw the book across the room. However, this book ended with hope and solid, actionable tips. I want you to be enraged. Feel your anger. Assert yourself. Let people think you’re a bitch or you’re cold. As long as it gets the job done.

Rating: 5/5

Link*: Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger by Soraya Chemaly

If you’re interested in this, read*: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski and Emily Nagoski