The right to be difficult is a patriarchal expectation on women, says the author. People have certain expectations about me when they see me on television, she writes. Can either kind of subvert them or play into them - that's another thing that's a big running theme of the book.
Helen Lewis argues that feminism's success is down to complicated, contradictory, imperfect women, who fought each other as well as fighting for equal rights. Too many of these pioneers have been whitewashed or forgotten in our modern search for feel-good, inspirational heroines.
It's time to reclaim the history of feminism as a history of difficult women.
To find out more about the book click here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/difficult-women/helen-lewis/9781784709730
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices