I read this book because I wanted a different perspective. I generally embody the stereotype of the unemotional, cold, rational, scientism-y man, and Hustvedt is the opposite: an emotionally tapped in, stylistically warm woman who emphasises the weaknesses of rationality and science.

I got what I was looking for! Hustvedt's experience of life is so different from mine that I occasionally had to remind myself that what she was writing was a genuine report of her own perspectives and experiences. Lots of stuff to think about all around, and a huge amount of perspective gained :).

I had some issues as well, though. Hustvedt occasionally makes kind of incomplete arguments and dramatically oversimplifies philosophical stances she is arguing against. This was worst of all in the long second section of the book, where she attacks rationality, science, evolution, etc. head on. She would sometimes end her argument at: "The conclusions of this worldview are different from the conclusions of feminist theory" and think that sufficient - this was very frustrating, especially when I thought there were stronger arguments to be made.

But maybe these concerns just demonstrate that I am not able to free myself from my cold, rational, man-ness enough. Who knows.