6.17.2007

Sisterhood, Interrupted

Girl with Pen's new book, Sisterhood Interrupted, was released this week. It's a great book. A few months back I was asked to weigh in with my thoughts, and here's what I had to say:

Sisterhood, Interrupted tells the history of conflicts within feminism without demonizing or blaming. Siegel conveys the excitement of feminism, then and now. She offers an informed and sympathetic perspective on the second wave that will help younger readers understand what it was like to be part of a movement that planned to change the world. And her framing of contemporary feminism will shape future conversations. Her explanations of what's happening now--the significant trends and controversies within the movement--provide a clarity that's lacking in the work of many feminist authors, from any generation. I couldn't put it down.
We're considering having this as our Women's History Month book--we're planning to do our own version of the Big Read, where we'll get women's book groups around Charleston to read a feminist book and then come together for a big chocolate and champagne bash to discuss.

Anyway, when I went to the bookstore the other day to get my copy (I'd read the galleys before), I immediately looked inside the front cover to see if the publisher ended up using my comments in the "Additional Praise for Sisterhood, Interrupted" section. My heart sank when I saw that some of my colleagues were quoted, but I wasn't there. Rats.

Then I flipped the book over. And here's what I saw on the back cover:

Look at that! It's me! At the top! I remember the first time I was mentioned in an acknowledgments page, when I was in grad school and had been the research assistant for one of my professors' book projects. That was a thrill. Then, of course, it was beyond thrilling to hold my own book in my hand for the first time. It was a different kind of thrill when my books started showing up in the indexes and works cited of other people's books. And this is yet another step--showing up on someone else's back cover! I feel like a superstar.

Alright, I'm a bit embarrassed at myself for sharing all this goofy exuberance, but what the hell is a blog for if not for this.

You should all go out and get Deborah's book--you'll learn a lot, and it's a good read.

9 comments:

The Mom said...

Wow! Congratulations, Alison!

Charlie said...

This is awesome.

Have I told you lately that you are a great person? Because that needs to be said more often in this world, and sometimes I find myself thinking about all of the great people I know, one of whom is you, and yet I so rarely express that feeling outwardly.

So there you go. I find you so inspiring on so many levels, and the world is a better place because of your presence in it.

(this isn't so much a response to this particular post as much as it is a sort of cumulative response to everything I read on here.)

also, the mom looks quite a lot like ellen burstyn.

Alison Piepmeier said...

Charlie, that is so sweet! Thank you! I will now go continue this response in the comments section of your blog.

Kenneth Burns said...

I'm told that my blurbs are on a couple of locally produced DVDs. I keep meaning to go find them.

Catherine Bush said...

I really look forward to reading this book and a huge hug and Bravo! to you Alison :). I think Charlie said it best ... The world is a better place because of your presence in it. Love you!

C

Anonymous said...

Congrats!

-Megan

Anonymous said...

I stumbled upon this blog a little over a month ago and wanted to tell you that you're now a part of my morning internet-surfing routine, though yours is the only blog I read written by someone I have not known nearly my entire life. BUT! we have similar academic interests and, more importantly, the same name.

the end.

Alison Piepmeier said...

Welcome, Allison with 2 L's. I'm very glad that you've been reading this blog and that you decided to comment. You should start a blog so that I can find out about our similar academic interests (although the same name is clearly the only connection needed here).

Anonymous said...

twist my arm. i've emerged from the shadows of the internet into plain view: adcarr.blogspot.com. but you shouldn't go there just yet. it's rather sparse at the moment.