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We Should All Be Feminists Paperback – February 3, 2015

4.6 out of 5 stars 26,280 ratings

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The highly acclaimed, provocative essay on feminism and sexual politics—from the award-winning author of Americanah

"A call to action, for all people in the world, to undo the gender hierarchy." —Medium

In this personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from the much-admired TEDx talk of the same name—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century. Drawing extensively on her own experiences and her deep understanding of the often masked realities of sexual politics, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman now—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.

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From the Publisher

Vogue says Nuanced and rousing.

Kirkus reviews Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's powerful call for gender equality

Medium says A call to action, for all people in the world, to undo the gender hierarchy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

A personal essay adapted from the writer's TEDx talk of the same name. Adichie, celebrated author of the acclaimed Americanah (Knopf, 2013), offers a more inclusive definition of feminism, one that strives to highlight and embrace a wide range of people and experiences. Drawing on anecdotes from her adolescence and adult life, Adichie attempts to strike down stereotypes and unpack the baggage usually associated with the term. She argues that an emphasis on feminism is necessary because to focus only on the general "human rights" is "to deny the specific and particular problem of gender. It would be a way of pretending that it was not women who have, for centuries, been excluded." Her focus on women of color is also an aspect of the movement that hasn't always been given its due, and Adichie works in her own experience and life as a feminist within a more conservative Nigerian culture in an organic and eye-opening way. She also points to examples in Nigeria that are unfortunately universal: a young woman who is gang-raped at a university and is then vilified and blamed for the crime, which, unfortunately, happens often in the United States. Injustices such as these, she posits, are reasons enough to be angry and outspoken. The humorous and insightful tone will engage teens and give them an accessible entry point into gender studies. This title would also work well as a discussion starter in debate and speech classes. VERDICT An eloquent, stirring must-read for budding and reluctant feminists.—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Review

“Nuanced and rousing.” —Vogue
 
“Adichie is so smart about so many things.” —
San Francisco Chronicle

"An enchanting plea by the award-winning Nigerian novelist to channel anger about gender inequality into positive change." —KIRKUS

"A call to action, for all people in the world, to undo the gender hierarchy." —
Medium

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anchor Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 3, 2015
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 110191176X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1101911761
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.4 x 0.2 x 6.3 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #12,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 26,280 ratings

About the author

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE grew up in Nigeria. Her work has been translated into more than fifty-five languages. She is the author of the novels Purple Hibiscus, which won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; Half of a Yellow Sun, which was the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Best of the Best” award; Americanah, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award; the story collection The Thing Around Your Neck and the essays We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. Her most recent work is an essay about losing her father, Notes on Grief, and Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, a children’s book written as Nwa Grace-James. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she divides her time between the United States and Nigeria.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
26,280 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this book to be a quick and easy read that effectively articulates the harsh truths of gender inequities. The writing style is accessible and motivational, with one customer noting it's as effective as the author's speaking style. Customers appreciate the book's simplicity and eloquence, with one review highlighting how every paragraph is quotable. While the book's length receives mixed reactions, with some finding it powerful and others describing it as long and boring, customers consistently praise its thought-provoking content and inspirational message.

484 customers mention "Readability"473 positive11 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an incredible, quick, and refreshing must-read for women.

"A great read!! Well thought out and well written. I hope it opens some eyes to the issue we face about women's equality. I highly recommend it!" Read more

"Love the message definitely a quick read but very thought provoking and filled with nice stories. I will definitely be checking more vintage shorts." Read more

"A good read about how feminism is perceived and who defines those terms, leading to the need for better communication among men and woman about both..." Read more

"An easy read with a good point. The person who defines feminism as a negative attribute could learn and benefit from this book, regardless of gender." Read more

187 customers mention "Thought provoking"177 positive10 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, describing it as a great thinking book that proposes important ideas.

"Smart and insightful even if I didn't agree with everything. Maybe I have just had different experiences. Great short read." Read more

"Well written and thought provoking, she writes about Nigeria but relates to many cultures of the world where women are struggling to find their voice." Read more

"Thoughtful, thought-provoking, and funny this was a great selection for our book group which contains a mixture of women in terms of age, political..." Read more

"The content is excellent, thought-provoking and incredibly emotional, though the "solutions" were a little more general than I expected...." Read more

131 customers mention "Feminism"123 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights into feminism, highlighting its focus on equality between sexes and its articulation of gender inequities.

"Great intro to feminism..." Read more

"This is a book that speaks to every woman regardless of culture, race, or religion...." Read more

"Informative read about feminism, introduced me to many good authors that I hope to read next. Adichie is a must read!" Read more

"Powerful, forward, unapologetic feminism. A powerful weapon against the descending horrors of Trump's America...." Read more

106 customers mention "Writing style"103 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting that it is accessible and motivational, with one customer mentioning it is written at a seventh-grade level.

"Well written and thought provoking, she writes about Nigeria but relates to many cultures of the world where women are struggling to find their voice." Read more

"Very well written. Captivates you in every word. A must read for all feminists and all people in general, if you're not a feminist who are you?" Read more

"...I don’t have a least favorite part. This whole book was written beautifully written...." Read more

"Loved it! Worth the read. Short and sweet and to the point. Great writer with useful, intellectual context. Now, I want to read more by this author." Read more

101 customers mention "Inspirational message"97 positive4 negative

Customers find the book's message inspiring and meaningful, with one customer noting how it provokes deep thoughts and another mentioning how it opened their mind and heart.

"...Her desire for gender equality is straight-forward and inspiring. It inspires me to speak my mind and respectfully fight for my beliefs...." Read more

"...It makes a compelling, empowering, but also grounded argument that appeals emotionally and intellectually and which everyone should be exposed to...." Read more

"With a powerful message and inspiring words, CHimamanda Ngozi Adichie acknowledges gender inequalities that still exist today...." Read more

"...feminist theory I have ever read, being at once modern, relatable and poignant. Written in strong, simple language, I want everyone I know to read it." Read more

66 customers mention "Simplicity"63 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the simplicity of the book, describing it as a straightforward essay that is easy to understand.

"It's a realistic yet relatable approach to the issue. It's short and simple, so it definitely is a good start for whoever feels curious about this..." Read more

"Great little pocket book for everyone. Easy, fast read, compelling message. My husband took my copy and it is in circulation among his friends now." Read more

"...Adichie provides glimpses into that world that are both easy to understand yet difficult to truly comprehend...." Read more

"Straightforward and written with a sense of humor, I enjoyed Ms. Adichie's essay tremendously...." Read more

55 customers mention "Eloquence"51 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the book's eloquent and concise writing style, with one customer noting that every paragraph is quotable.

"Concise, supported and aware. Every single person who claims to be feminist or wants to know what feminism is should read this book...." Read more

"...Her succinct and deeply felt essay here is a vital voice in the continued struggle for all people to bear witness to the continued structural and..." Read more

"Simple, elegant, eloquent, intellectual​... what is not to love about this?" Read more

"A clear thoughtful essay. Simple language and examples from everyday life powerfully make her case." Read more

156 customers mention "Shortness"102 positive54 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length, with some finding it short but to the point and powerful, while others consider it quite short.

"This is a short a sweet TED talk that does so much: a look into Nigerian culture and race relations and why we should all be feminists. Women matter...." Read more

"This is a very short book, but it is excellent. Chimananda explains the experience women have all over the world with her stories of her life." Read more

"Very short. Makes many good points. I hightly recommend it. Our book club read (all women) and everyone was happy with choice and book." Read more

"Brief yet powerful introspection on gender inequality..." Read more

Culture does not make people. People make culture.
5 out of 5 stars
Culture does not make people. People make culture.
his book is a very short adaptation of the TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie of the same name. She talks of her experience of sexism growing up in Nigeria and how it has effected her life. It discusses why we still need feminism and why each and every person should be a feminist. Personally, I love the eloquent way this essay is worded; it’s persuasive but doesn’t pressure you or force you into agreeing with her. It doesn’t have to because her story speaks for itself. What I think is really important is how she emphasises the way that feminism is about equality between both sexes, something which is at the core of feminism but is overlooked so often in today’s society. This book is tiny, insightful and would make a perfect present as it also looks gorgeous. I highly recommend this to teenagers and young adults who are just being introduced to the concept on feminism, but equally anyone with an interest in the subject would also love it. It’s a great short read and one I wish every person was made to read. By defining feminism and what it is to be a woman in the world, Adichie sends forth both comfort and a challenge. Once when I was young, my great-grandmother told me about our city before pavement, and how they were sure cars would never last because they were impractical. Had the world listened, instead of putting down pavement, we'd all still be walking or riding horses. Women today too often accept the dated definition of what it is to be female, and content themselves with walking the dirt roads when there is a better way. It requires changes. It isn't easy. It will never be easy. The day we think it is, we will have forgotten how much was given to have it. Share
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The idea of the feminist is not always ful
    ly understood. She explains it from point of view. Common sense thinking. I love her insights. This is a quick read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    his book is a very short adaptation of the TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie of the same name. She talks of her experience of sexism growing up in Nigeria and how it has effected her life. It discusses why we still need feminism and why each and every person should be a feminist.

    Personally, I love the eloquent way this essay is worded; it’s persuasive but doesn’t pressure you or force you into agreeing with her. It doesn’t have to because her story speaks for itself. What I think is really important is how she emphasises the way that feminism is about equality between both sexes, something which is at the core of feminism but is overlooked so often in today’s society.

    This book is tiny, insightful and would make a perfect present as it also looks gorgeous. I highly recommend this to teenagers and young adults who are just being introduced to the concept on feminism, but equally anyone with an interest in the subject would also love it. It’s a great short read and one I wish every person was made to read.

    By defining feminism and what it is to be a woman in the world, Adichie sends forth both comfort and a challenge. Once when I was young, my great-grandmother told me about our city before pavement, and how they were sure cars would never last because they were impractical. Had the world listened, instead of putting down pavement, we'd all still be walking or riding horses. Women today too often accept the dated definition of what it is to be female, and content themselves with walking the dirt roads when there is a better way. It requires changes. It isn't easy. It will never be easy. The day we think it is, we will have forgotten how much was given to have it.
    Share
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Culture does not make people. People make culture.

    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2016
    his book is a very short adaptation of the TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie of the same name. She talks of her experience of sexism growing up in Nigeria and how it has effected her life. It discusses why we still need feminism and why each and every person should be a feminist.

    Personally, I love the eloquent way this essay is worded; it’s persuasive but doesn’t pressure you or force you into agreeing with her. It doesn’t have to because her story speaks for itself. What I think is really important is how she emphasises the way that feminism is about equality between both sexes, something which is at the core of feminism but is overlooked so often in today’s society.

    This book is tiny, insightful and would make a perfect present as it also looks gorgeous. I highly recommend this to teenagers and young adults who are just being introduced to the concept on feminism, but equally anyone with an interest in the subject would also love it. It’s a great short read and one I wish every person was made to read.

    By defining feminism and what it is to be a woman in the world, Adichie sends forth both comfort and a challenge. Once when I was young, my great-grandmother told me about our city before pavement, and how they were sure cars would never last because they were impractical. Had the world listened, instead of putting down pavement, we'd all still be walking or riding horses. Women today too often accept the dated definition of what it is to be female, and content themselves with walking the dirt roads when there is a better way. It requires changes. It isn't easy. It will never be easy. The day we think it is, we will have forgotten how much was given to have it.
    Share
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    43 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017
    Format: AudiobookVerified Purchase
    Look, I think of myself as a feminist. But I have read books about feminism that were the most BORING books ever written! This is not one of those! BUT the title kept me from reading it. Not because it is a bad title, but because it looked like it would be boring like those others.

    It was far from long and boring. If you are lucky enough to get to have the audio version read by the author there is an extra treat.

    Since I didn't read the book along with listening I can only give my impression of what I think the tree-book is like. I think it is short essays on different aspects of the feminine daily life, especially the world Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie lives in. Her voice and accent make this a delight to hear. The stories/essays are enlighting to intellect and soul.

    This is a short read. I read it in an hour before going to bed. So don't look at it with fear like I did. It's good and fast!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is short book that covers the exact same material as the TED Talk by the same author.

    It is an opinionated, yet eye opening, perspective of the problems of gender socialization, particularly for women, within the context of the Nigerian culture. Although people of all countries will most likely feel identified, to more or less degree, with many of the gender inequality problems and stories told in the book.

    Those unfamiliar with more sophisticated material on the subject, may find this to be an interesting and empirical introduction to some of the most common complaints of gender inequality.

    This is a powerful and motivating speech, more than a philosophical treatise on feminism. It is a practical and empirical perspective on the problem. Many men and women might immediately feel identified with the struggles vividly and colorfully described by the author.

    The most important redeeming quality of this short book is that it makes you think. Hopefully it will also provoke change, by helping us see the nature of these gender problems more clearly, by making us question the status quo, and by broadening our perspective of what it means to inherit a better legacy and a fairer society than the one we received from our parents.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I’m writing this review for school but I think everyone should read this. This book is about a essay/ Ted talk about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichue’s life as being a women. She talks about how parts in her life were unfair to her and women. Like how her teacher let the person with the highest grade to be hall monitor, and she got the highest but the teacher changed it to it has to be a boy. And when she gave a worker a tip but the worker said thanks to the boy standing next to her because he is a man and apparently in the workers mind, only men can have money.

    My favorite part of the book was basically the whole thing. This is the only non-fiction book I willing read and it is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is such a convincing essay on feminism and I love how the author doesn’t blame this issue on men and has sympathy for men too. She said that if we, both genders, can change our perspective on this then our future kids can be happier that they can be freer and don’t have to listen to gender expectations.

    I don’t have a least favorite part. This whole book was written beautifully written.

    My question for the author is when did u start feeling like women are treated unfairly and are you going to keep writing and speaking out about it?

    You should definitely read this book. I feel like feminism isn’t a huge topic that we all talk about, so I think everyone should be required to read this book. It is a short book so it’s not going to take forever to read and it has so much information. Feminism should be a more important topic that we should all learn about and reading this book and getting informed on it is how we can all start.
    20 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Wikku
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick read for everyone
    Reviewed in Poland on July 27, 2023
    The author speeds directly about an issue, the solution of which is very simple - we should all be feminists 😌
  • Henrique
    5.0 out of 5 stars Esclarecedor
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 27, 2018
    O livro é curto pois afinal de contas ele é a adaptação de uma palestra Ted ministrado pela autora e as palestras Ted são conhecidas por serem curtas, mas ao mesmo tempo esclarecedoras. E neste objetivo esse livro não falha. Ele é importante pois podemos entender as bases do feminismo e o porquê ele é importante na construção de a sociedade mais justa. Recomendo a leitura.

    Quanto ao nível de inglês, acredito que quem está no nível A2/B1 não vá ter muitos problemas.
    Report
  • Malex
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un livre que tout le monde devrait avoir lu
    Reviewed in France on June 7, 2017
    "We should all be feminist" est en réalité la transcription d’une conférence TED Talk donnée par Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie en 2012 et dans lequel elle aborde la nécessité du féminisme dans notre société. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie est une autrice nigériane, son roman "Americanah" a connu un succès mondial et elle est une des figures majeures de l’afro-féminisme.

    Ce court essai de 50 pages est également disponible en français sous le titre Nous sommes tous des féministes, traduction complètement ratée qui perd le sens d’origine : nous devrions tous être féministes. La nuance est quand même non négligeable et c’est d’ailleurs tout le propos de ce livre !

    A travers son expérience personnelle, Chimamanda revient sur les bases du féminisme et les principales problématiques auxquelles les femmes font face aujourd’hui : le harcèlement, l’intimidation, l’éducation genrée qui imprègne les enfants de clichés sexistes, la difficulté de se revendiquer féministe dans un monde qui a diabolisé ce mot, jusqu’au sexisme intériorisé par certaines femmes qui nuit non seulement à elles-mêmes mais à toute la cause féministe.

    Le format TED Talk a l’avantage de rendre le texte particulièrement facile d’accès (la VO se lit très bien sans avoir un excellent niveau d’anglais) et pédagogique. Pour ma part, étant déjà bien sensibilisée à ce sujet, je n’y ai d’ailleurs pas appris grand-chose mais le récit de Chimamanda résonne avec mon expérience et ça fait du bien parfois de pouvoir lire un texte qui nous fait dire "MAIS OUI, c’est exactement ça !" toutes les deux pages. Cependant l’essai étant très court, il reste en surface et n’aborde pas du tout les questions de genre qui vont bien au-delà de la dichotomie homme/femme.

    C’est en tout cas un livre que je mettrai entre toutes les mains, il est à la fois une bonne introduction pour les personnes peu sensibilisées au sujet qu’un moment de répit pour les féministes aguerri•es. Il permet aussi d’avoir le point de vue et le vécu d’une femme noire, une sorte de double peine qu’il n’est pas toujours évident de percevoir en tant que féministe blanche.
  • Deniz Aksoy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kaliteli bir kitap
    Reviewed in Turkey on October 1, 2024
    Normalde bu tarz kitaplar okumazdım ama özel birisine hediye etmek için aldım ve okuyup vermek istedim. Oldukça anlamlı hikayelerle desteklenerek kadınların yaşadığı sıkıntıları açık bi şekilde okuyucuya aktarmayı başarmış. Feminizmi daha iyi anlamak adına kesinlikle okunması gereken bir kitap.
  • Sam Quixote
    5.0 out of 5 stars We should
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 22, 2015
    We Should All Be Feminists is a modified version of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s talk at TEDxEuston from December 2012.

    It’s an informative discussion of and wholly convincing argument for feminism that starts with anecdotes about Adichie’s life and builds to a rallying cry for global change.

    She lists examples from her life in Lagos illustrating Nigerian patriarchal society. When going to a restaurant with her male friend Louis, she’s ignored by the waiter who instead addresses the man because he’s the man; she’s stopped in the lobby of a hotel and asked to prove that she’s a guest because the staff suspect she might be a sex worker; when at school, she wanted to be the class monitor but the teacher gave it to a boy who didn’t really care but got it anyway because he’s the boy.

    She also mentions the Lilly Ledbetter case where an American woman proved she was paid far less than her male counterparts purely because she was a woman (this led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009).

    So why is it women are treated as inferiors? The problem is historical as women have always been denigrated but this is the 21st century and still this divide persists.

    In most countries, girls are raised to want to be liked, told to be understanding rather than angry, virginal, and discouraged from being too successful – the opposite of boys. And it’s that word “raised” that is central to Adichie’s argument. People raise their kids without questioning the culture around them. But if the state of things is, as it actually is, that women are treated unequally to men, then shouldn’t we change the culture? Culture does define people but people can similarly change culture. That’s why our society is vastly different today from 100 years ago and that society was different from the one 100 years before that and so on.

    The word feminist is a loaded term and conjures up stereotypes which Adichie gave in to at one point, choosing to wear an ugly business suit on her first day teaching a creative writing class instead of her preferred choice of a dress. But it’s more than a feminist proving that she can be feminine at the same time and unlearning gender lessons so much as it is this wider view of gender stereotypes. Men shouldn’t have to pay for the woman on a date just like women shouldn’t feel pressurised to get married by a certain age and then, once married, cook and clean for the man. The man needn’t be the breadwinner nor feel inferior if the woman is making more money than him. The most important point: feminism is NOT for women exclusively.

    Cultures change when the majority wants it to. It shouldn’t just be up to women to make men treat them equally, it should be as much the responsibility of the man to challenge gender stereotypes and inequality whenever it appears. Adichie’s essay makes an important and eloquent argument in favour of positive societal change.

    Here’s the definition of that word - “Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes”. Who in their right mind today would oppose something so reasonable and benign? And yet gender inequality still exists making it all the more necessary for essays like Adichie’s to keep highlighting this problem until true equality is achieved.

    We SHOULD all be feminists. Hear, hear!