Living Dolls

Celebrating five decades of the feminist publisher, each of the Five Gold Reads represents an iconic moment in Virago''s history, from the 1970s to today.

I once believed that we only had to put in place the conditions for equality for the remnants of old-fashioned sexism in our culture to wither away. I am ready to admit that I was wrong.''

Empowerment, liberation, choice. Once the watchwords of feminism, these terms have now been co-opted by a society that sells women an airbrushed, highly sexualised and increasingly narrow vision of femininity. Drawing on a wealth of research and personal interviews, Living Dolls is a straight-talking, passionate and important book that makes us look afresh at women and girls, at sexism and femininity.

''This book marked a real feminist awakening for me . . . it might make you rage, but in a good, important way'' Laura Bates, ELLE

''Required reading for everyone who cares about our humanity, and that means all of us'' Katherine Sheridan, IRISH TIMES

''A must-read'' Viv Groskop, GUARDIAN