Bookraft

Are Men Necessary ? by Maureen Dowd - Penguin Book 2007, $35US

I had high expectations for this book given the Ms. Dowd writes consistently witty and entertaining editorials for the New York Times. The cover also caught my eye as it has a certain savoir flair for putting the male beard slightly ill at ease - which might be a marker for the Times. And finally the topic seemed to be worthy of Ms. Dowd - arching yet deliciously taunting for her tone.

However, I also had some expectations of scholarship. Perhaps a briefing, even if breezy, about the current social state of affairs between Homo Puer and Homo Puella. Or maybe a brief recounting of the political history of men and women - sort of Faludi with socks of stinging whammy. But some vestiges of research and interest in a topic that is now gaining huge momentum in many areas of science: the anthropology and sociology of men and women is discovered to be rich with distinctive insights into the nature and evolution of individual and group behavior. And even the neurosciences and hereditary biology are uncovering many distinct differences in the brain functions, hormonal distribution, and basic DNA of men and women. Yet there are also interesting common traits as well.

And right in the first two chapters readers do find references to the basic biology of men and women. But these facts are like baubles used to underline a point about glass ceilings and women deferring. There are first hand stories of women important like Lauren Bacall, Condeleeza Rice, Jane Fonda and others. But strangely they and the facts are mish-mashed together with facts and sudden personal commiserations.

Suddenly getting from chapter 2 to chapter 3 is becoming a burden. Over and over again, the paragraphs appear like ClicheMations, warped out of shape purely for style and tone. But it is a tone deaf to the need for a theme beyond the tread worn cliches trails of "women always subservient to men" or "perpetually faced with the career conundrum - a child or MS mission".

I am at a loss - I had looked for a dash either comic or supremely ironic. And then I go to the Barnes and Noble website and discover this book is on sale at a bargain 70% off retail price. And another reviewer confirms my impression: "A waste of her talent. Maureen Dowd is a witty, urbane writer [but here]with nothing nice to say. There is just a general cynicism and meanness in her point of view." Amen.