Egalia's Daughters: A Satire of the Sexes [Paperback]

Gerd Brantenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2004

Welcome to the land of Egalia, where gender roles are topsy-turvy as "wim" wield the power and "menwim" light the home fires. This re-telling of the prototypical coming-of age novel will have readers laughing out loud and wondering who should prevail: poor Petronius, who wants more than anything to cruise the oceans as a seawom; or his powerful and protective mother Director Bram, who rules her family with an authoritarian righteousness. But for better or for worse, as the masculist party begins to organize and protest, the landscape of Egalia threatens to change forever. More than just a humorous romp, Egalia's Daughters poses the provocative question of whether the culprit in gender subjugation is gender itself or power—no matter who wields it.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Originally published in Norway in 1977, this anti-utopian feminist novel explores society's crevices and stands them on their heads. Humorous and deadly serious at the same time, Brantenberg presents mythical Egalsund where being fat is a virtue, especially to gain the "fatherhood protection" needed by the weakermalesex. Pastel beard bows are the rage, as are tulle dresses, depilation and an uncomfortable uplifting genital box called a "peho." Women Members of Parliament worry that the bonus pay for childbearing has sunk too low to encourage reproduction. Concrete details reflect the imaginative density of the novel: family names are Egg, Lizdaughter, Bosomby, etc.; spring songs celebrate men's physical charms; and a famous statue stares out to sea awaiting the return of his adventurous sea-faring wife. Not surprisingly, the oppressed men begin a Masculinist Movement, complete with peho burning. Their masculinist manifesto (which receives sneering reviews from the female literary world) jolts the reader as its utopian agenda brings us back full circle to our own society. November
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In the country of Egalia, men's and women's roles are completely re versed: wim occupy high-powered po sitions in business and government, while most menwim are housebounds , who run the household, raise children and, if they are working class, hold a low-paid job. A few bright young boys form a group, start analyzing their soci ety, questioning its values and becom ing leaders in a liberation movement. This intelligent and well-written contri bution to the sex-role debate, which be came a best seller in Scandinavia in the late 1970s, is not just a feminist tract but entertaining as a novel also. Remi niscent of Orwell's and Huxley's dys topian novels, it is highly thought-pro voking and often very funny. Essential for women's studies collections; also recommended for large fiction collec tions. Ulla Sweedler, Univ. of Cali fornia at San Diego Lib.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Seal Press; 3rd edition (December 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580051251
• ISBN-13: 978-1580051255
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and entertaining, February 28, 2005

By 

Nicolle Singer (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Egalia's Daughters: A Satire of the Sexes (Paperback)

This is a captivating story about coming of age and gender. Brantenberg artfully describes the process of growing up and questioning the expectations encountered along the way. An imaginary society is created and brought to life. I had trouble putting it down for curiosity about what would happen next!

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I expected :), November 23, 2011

By 

NIkki - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Egalia's Daughters: A Satire of the Sexes (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a friend and is a very interesting read. Definitely a book that you should read more than once.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!, July 22, 2011

By 

Adenil - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Egalia's Daughters: A Satire of the Sexes (Paperback)

This book provides an interesting take on a semi-dystopic, matriarchal society. It forces us to question our society down to the very language we use. I purchased this book for use in a college course and found it highly valuable. It inspired great discussion and, furthermore, it was a great novel. There are several translator errors, but they do not detract from the overall themes.

I would actually recommend this book to anyone who likes to have their foundation shaken. Keep in mind the time period it was written in, and don't try to find exact parallels with the real world for every little thing. This book is written to get you to question your stance in the world--and it does that well.