Era of Ignition
Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution
-
- $13.99
-
- $13.99
Publisher Description
A passionate and deeply personal exploration of feminism during divisive times from one of the founders of Time’s Up: actor, filmmaker, and activist Amber Tamblyn.
“A work of personal upheaval and political reckoning.”—Rebecca Traister, New York Times bestselling author of Good and Mad
Amber Tamblyn has emerged as an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. But she wasn’t always so bold and self-possessed. In her late twenties, after a particularly low period fueled by rejection and disillusionment, she grabbed hold of her own destiny and entered into what she calls an Era of Ignition—a time of self-reflection that follows in the wake of personal upheaval and leads us to challenge the status quo. In the process of undergoing this metamorphosis, she realized that our country is going through an Era of Ignition of its own, and she set about agitating for change by initiating a dialogue about gender inequality.
In this deeply personal exploration of modern feminism, she addresses misogyny and discrimination, reproductive rights and sexual assault, white feminism and pay parity—all through the lens of her own experiences as well as those of her Sisters in Solidarity. At once an intimate meditation and a public reckoning, Era of Ignition is a galvanizing feminist manifesto that is required reading for anyone who wants to help change the world for the better.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Amber Tamblyn’s 2019 memoir speaks to the present moment, facing up to the complexities of our politically turbulent times with ferocious feminism, intellectual curiosity, directness, and much-needed heart. At 29, Tamblyn arrived at a crossroads in her life as an actress, terminated a pregnancy she felt unready for, and began a period of soul-searching that led her to become a writer and cofounder of the Time’s Up movement. In a series of sometimes painfully funny essays, Tamblyn connects her own upheavals to the broader societal reckonings with issues of gender and race discrimination and violence. That makes Era of Ignition an urgent and inspiring must-read.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Actress Tamblyn (Any Man) addresses the #MeToo movement in this part-memoir, part-call-to-action collection. Across essays, anecdotes, and lists, Tamblyn discusses her abusive relationships, her struggles with "getting a seat at the table" in a patriarchal Hollywood, and her work as an activist for women's rights. Opening with an emotional account of her decision to terminate her first pregnancy with her husband, David, Tamblyn establishes a fiercely unapologetic stance on feminism. Along the way, she argues that " innocent until proven guilty' is often used as a weapon of mass destruction for aggressors," and urges men to take accountability for their own actions. Tamblyn frequently name-drops and has a tendency to stereotype (she calls out all "two of her cis male readers" who "took time away from playing Destiny on Xbox" to read her book), though women looking to commiserate will find a lot to like here, including a Male Ally Manifesto, which encourages men to "be proactive peers and help create a more balanced world." While Tamblyn's tone may alienate some readers, her message is certainly thought-provoking and energizing.
