Temptresses: The Virago Book of Evil Women

by Shahrukh Husain

Book Overview

A fabulous anthology of stories about the women that history has branded and celebrated as temptresses and evil, from Lilith to Morgan le Fay This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 186049563X
• ISBN13: 9781860495632
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Virago Press (UK)
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Putting historically BAD women in a new light . . .

What this book lacks in actual hard fact, this book MORE than makes up for in creativity. Personally, I am always tantalized by a book that makes me really think - and this book did that. Husian did what so few writers today think to do, and that is think outside of the box.First up, know that the book starts off with an introduction done in a feminist slant about how women have been portrayed in a poor light in the past because of angry, bitter men. I'm not one to jump on the Gloria Steinem train willingly, but Husian approaches this topic with flair, which makes the first few pages bearable. It is not an attempt by the author at a soap-box speech of feminine power, but an examination into the allure of the evil woman and why she posed such a threat in the past. Personally, I thank the author for not preaching - it would have turned me off from the book.When you are done digesting the beginning - and it may take a little while to digest all of it - the author goes into the histories of some of our better known "bad girls". Presented to you are some of the possible reasons for why these bad women did the things that they are so cursed for. Names like Morgan le Fay, Eve, Lilith and the Queen of Sheba should ring a bell - those are just a few of the women that are presented in a new light in this book, and each tale is well done. Each "history" is like a little story, and it's easy to read and something to ponder along the way.I finished this book in about 2 days, and I think most people who pick it up will get through it quickly. For any woman looking to cheer on the "bad girl" in herself, I would highly recommend reading this. It'll make you smile and it will make you think.