The Mother of All Questions

The latest collection of essays from author and activist Solnit continues in the same vein as 2014%E2%80%99s popular Men Explain Things to Me with short, incisive essays that pack a powerful punch. This collection examines age-old philosophical questions: What does it mean to live a happy life? What is the role of art and entertainment in our day-to-day lives? How does language create myths about happiness and art?%E2%80%94from a contemporary, feminist perspective. As Solnit chronicles recent events, including comedian Amy Schumer%E2%80%99s parodies of rape culture, Esquire magazine%E2%80%99s list of 80 books every man should read, Gamergate, and the Isla Vista massacre, the book%E2%80%99s themes gain greater significance. Solnit argues that books, movies, and other forms of entertainment reinforce self-centered concepts of heroism and happiness that promote entitlement and decrease empathy. Solnit points out that women are frequent targets of this entitlement and decreased empathy, but she also credits men such as government whistle-blower Edward Snowden, stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress, and activist Richard Martinez, whose son was killed in a mass shooting, for standing up for their principles and carving out a less violent or self-centered definition of manhood. Chock-full of references to the work of women at the forefront of contemporary feminist thought, Solnit%E2%80%99s essays will stir minds and spark further investigation. (Mar.)