Customer Reviews

The Choices of Men: A Novel of Male Power and Sexuality in a Feminist Age

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The Choices of Men is a book for both men and women. For men, it is an especially entertaining story in an era where men are searching to understand feminism and struggling to reinvent a meaningful male role in a changing world. For women, it is a poignant reminder that the shortcomings often attributed to men are ingrained in many women also. Over the last decade or so I have read many books and seen many movies portraying the feminist struggle. Most have helped to increase my sensitivity to the elimination of oppression in all its forms. The best portrayals are those that promote introspection, awareness, a willingness to consider change and, eventually, dialogue. Not those which leave either gender humiliated or greatly diminished. Choices of Men is a story that engages the best in us, leads us to explore our own solutions to pain and confusion, and gives us an ending which can lead to healthy dialogue. Dialogue about the dilemmas,paradoxes, and choices we all face as we seek greater equality and fairness in our most important relationships.

This book gets to the heart of what men and women are currently struggling with on a daily basis. The author articulates for men and women issues that individually and collectively we must explore. The "Men's movement" as expressed in this book is not anti-feminism as some would think. In fact, as the book demonstrates, the issues that men now face are complex and difficult. How does a man support the woman or women in his life and at the same time maintain his masculinity. Guy, the protagonist in this book, provides us with someone who is asking these difficult questions and begins to formulate and act on his answers. I found the book easy to read, riveting and providing me with more questions that I need to answer.

T.S. Tyrone, The Choices of Men

I loved this book and couldn't put it down! The novel explores gender politics and sexuality from the male perspective. It is a must read for all women ( feminists and others) as well as men who want to get affirmation for their experience and viewpoints. This novel provides a window into the real hearts, minds and souls of men. It was fascinating to follow the journey that Guy, the main character, goes on as he moves from an angry, frustrated, spouse who feels stripped of his manhood by his wife to one who takes his power back and assumes responsibility for his own sexual, lifestyle, and career choices. Some of the conversations Guy has with his wife and friend Jackson were painful to read -yet, that was what was so important about this book. This is the first novel I have ever read where the author was able to articulate so clearly men's feelings and experiences within their most intimate and important relationships. By the end of the book, I felt that I learned a great deal about men and, several weeks later, find myself still pondering some of the issues that were raised.