Portrait of a Feminist

“As beautiful as it is thought-provoking, Marlowe's Portrait of a Feminist shares how her multicultural upbringing shaped her attitudes toward intersectional feminism. These stunning essays...immediately pull readers in. Marlowe's world travels and sharp eye for social nuances, combined with her gracefully lyrical writing, construct a smart interrogation of masculine/feminine norms—and how these shift between different cultures.”—Booklife Prize

“For those drawn to deeply personal memoirs that evoke a nuanced understanding of male and female equality, Portrait of a Feminist proves a rich and rewarding experience.”—Chanticleer Reviews

“A confident, impressionist portrait of a feminist life.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A tale of self-discovery, courage, and liberation, Marianna Marlowe's spirited assertion of feminism is both timely and inspiring.”—Jasmin Darznik, New York Times best-selling author of The Bohemians

“With an appealing mix of immediacy and reflection...[Marlowe] brings striking weight to moments that changed her... Portraits of friends, family, and her younger self are deeply loving if often astutely wry. The wide range of her experience, and her willingness to lean wholeheartedly yet still critically into all of the contexts in which she has found herself, brings both a visceral aesthetic and breadth not typical in American feminist memoir...A thoughtful mosaic of a memoir examining a complex life with feminist themes.”—BookLife Reviews, EDITOR'S PICK

“In Portrait of a Feminist, Marianna Marlowe creates striking scenes that mesmerize the reader, who is caught up in mounting tensions that make the book difficult to put down. Each episode vividly reflects a personal experience while touching on universal themes about the challenges that women face in patriarchal cultures.... Highly recommended for those who love engrossing stories that not only captivate, but also cast light on the unfortunate consequences of gender inequality.”—Barbara Southhard, author of The Pinch of the Crab and Unruly Human Hearts

“Marlowe excels at excavating vulnerable anecdotes from her past and connecting them to larger social issues, writing with candor and tact about sensitive subjects. . . . An inspiring memoir.”—Foreword Clarion Reviews

“Feminist is a prismatic word—defined by lived moments and long thought, admonitions of the self and worldly interrogations. In Portrait of a Feminist, Marianna Marlowe provides a moving, intimate look at her own relationship to both the word and the ideal with grace and vigor, using small moments to illuminate big ideas and the personal to unveil the universal.”—Beth Kephart, National Book Award Finalist and author of Tomorrow Will Bring Sunday’s News: A Novel

“A stunning memoir that masterfully weaves together personal history and the broader sociopolitical struggles of feminism. With a voice that is both powerful and intimate, Marlowe invites readers into her multifaceted world as a Peruvian American woman navigating the intersections of race, gender, and culture. Much like Crying in H Mart and How to Raise a Feminist Son, this memoir offers a deeply personal exploration of identity, while grappling with questions that resonate universally.”—Sandy Schnakenburg, author of The Housekeeper's Secret

“Many women, especially women of color, can appreciate this book. A real and raw read, this memoir can resonate with women everywhere, whether they identify as a feminist or not.”—Memoir Magazine book review

“An engrossing collection of powerful, honest, and tender essays interconnecting the author’s life experiences with a gendered, classed, and multi-ethnic identity. Marlowe takes moments of everyday life and weaves them into thought-provoking, haunting stories that illuminate the joys, challenges, and cultural relevance of being a woman and a feminist today.”—Sonia Daccarett, author of The Roots of the Guava Tree: Growing up Jewish and Arab in Colombia