[Commlist] New Book: #MeToo, Weinstein and Feminism

Our colleague Karen Boyle has published a new book - #MeToo, Weinstein 
and Feminism – which is certain to be of interest to many colleagues in 
MeCCSA.

Karen’s is the first academic monograph on #MeToo and Palgrave are 
offering a 20% discount to MeCCSA members until 5th February with the 
discount code: cS6rbN5YKr37Dcx 
(https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030282424).

The blurb: This book provides a feminist analysis of #MeToo and the 
sexual assault allegations against celebrity perpetrators which have 
emerged since the Weinstein story of October 2017. It argues for the 
importance of understanding #MeToo in relation to an on-going history of 
Anglo-American feminist activism, theory and interdisciplinary research. 
Boyle investigates how speaking out about rape, sexual assault and 
harassment on social media can be understood in relation to second-wave 
feminist traditions of consciousness-raising. Her argument explores the 
media depiction of feminism – and feminists - in the wake of Weinstein 
and the cultural values associated with men’s abuse, particularly within 
the film and television industries. The book concludes with an 
exploration of what the #MeToo era has meant for men as 
victims/survivors and as alleged perpetrators, in relation to narratives 
of victimisation and of monstrosity.

Reviews:

“With /#MeToo, Weinstein and Feminism/, Karen Boyle has created an 
indispensable resource for those working in gender studies, media 
studies, and cultural theory. In a moment when scholars and activists 
are wrestling with the cultural and political impact of #MeToo, Boyle 
carefully parses the differences between a “moment” and a movement, and 
importantly reminds us to think beyond the hashtag to consider history, 
political contradictions, and the limits of media visibility. With 
careful attention to gendered violence, witnessing and changing 
definitions of survivor/victimhood, the book is well theorized, 
thorough, and nuanced, and it is essential reading for those trying to 
understand feminist politics within the contemporary cultural and media 
landscape, and how we got here.” (Prof Sarah Banet-Weiser, LSE, Author 
Empowered: Popular Feminism & Popular Misogyny (2018))

“In a wonderfully readable, inspiring and authoritative account, Boyle 
shows how mainstream media coverage of the #MeToo moment re-focused our 
attention away from violence towards women, towards the interests of 
men. Offering analysis of media coverage of Harvey Weinstein; Matt 
Damon’s reflections on masculinity; and the ways in which male celebrity 
abusers have been allowed to ‘hide in plain’ sight; she unravels how 
media conversations have also functioned as (not so) subtle backlashes 
against feminism and women’s rights. Her analysis asks us to reflect on 
the fundamental question: why do our media narratives STILL not ask why 
men rape? Boyle’s beautifully written analysis contains a politics of 
urgency and optimism; she articulates the ways in which cultures can be 
transformed through an understanding of the ways in which they function. 
This sense of possibility and opportunity makes her careful scrutiny 
profoundly significant if we want to learn lessons from #MeToo.” (Prof 
Heather Savigny, Professor of Gender, Media and Politics at De Montfort 
University)

“This timely book shines an important feminist light on ‘MeToo’ - which 
Professor Karen Boyle convincingly argues goes beyond ‘just a hashtag’ 
and can be considered as a key feminist movement of our times. Professor 
Karen Boyle writes in a style that is both authoritative and sensitive, 
theoretically grounded yet incredibly readable, absolutely up to date 
with contemporary cases yet with roots firmly in the research and 
activism of her sisters. This book is a must read for anyone interested 
in understanding more about the MeToo movement. Professor Boyle writes 
that she hopes to demonstrate how those in media studies might 
reintegrate and learn from feminist activism and interdisciplinary 
scholarship on men’s violence against women. She can be congratulated in 
achieving this - providing an exemplary text demonstrating the crucial 
role of feminist media scholars in advancing theoretical and practical 
knowledge on pressing social problems.” (Prof Nicole Westmarland, 
Director, Durham University Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse)


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