Opinions - by Roxane Gay (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From beloved and bestselling author Roxane Gay, "a strikingly fresh cultural critic" (Washington Post) comes an exhilarating collection of her thought-provoking essays on culture, politics, and everything in between.

Since the publication of the groundbreaking Bad Feminist and Hunger, Roxane Gay has continued to tackle big issues embroiling society--state-sponsored violence and mass shootings, women's rights post-Dobbs, online disinformation, and the limits of empathy--alongside more individually personalized matters: can I tell my co-worker her perfume makes me sneeze? Is it acceptable to schedule a daily 8 am meeting? In her role as a New York Times opinion section contributor and the publication's "Work Friend" columnist, she reaches millions of readers with her wise voice and sharp insights into social justice.

Opinions, a must-read example of powerful cultural criticism, is a collection of Roxane Gay's best nonfiction pieces from the past ten years. Covering a wide range of topics--politics, feminism, the culture wars, civil rights, race in America, and much more--with an all-new introduction in which she reflects on the past decade, this sharp anthology will delight Roxane Gay's devotees and draw new readers to this inimitable talent.

Ten years of seismic cultural shifts. One inimitable voice to make sense of it all.

• Political Commentary: With her trademark incisive analysis, Gay reflects on the turbulent political landscape of the last decade in America, from the Trump presidency to the fight for civil rights.
• Feminist Essays: From the author of Bad Feminist, a searing look at women's rights in a post-Dobbs world and the ongoing fight for equality and bodily autonomy.
• Culture Wars: Unflinching examinations of state-sponsored violence, online disinformation, and the limits of empathy in modern society.
• The Work Friend: A collection of her beloved "Work Friend" columns from The New York Times, offering wise and witty advice on everything from perfume etiquette to 8 a.m. meetings.

Review Quotes

"A true star in the literary world known for her uncompromising opinions, timely takes on modern American culture, and in-depth profiles." - Shondaland

"Gay made a name for herself with her pieces, which often turned conventional opinion writing on its head--decisive, funny takes that sat squarely in the space between logic and empathy, and eschewed conventional pundit wisdom. These pieces have been gathered in Opinions, and they showcase her work as a thinker, grappling with the questions of our time." - Harper's Bazaar

"This sharp, thought-provoking anthology will delight Roxane Gay's devotees and draw new readers to this inimitable talent." - USA Today

"Gay's essays are brilliant and incisive. . . . Each piece on its own is worthy of attention. Taken collectively, this title is not to be missed." - Library Journal (starred review)

"Essays, op-eds, and pop-culture pieces from the acclaimed novelist and memoirist. . . . [Gay] has a gift for clean, well-ordered prose, and strong feelings on matters of race, gender, and sexuality. Most important, she possesses a fearlessness essential to doing the job right; though she can observe an issue from various angles, she never wrings her hands or delivers milquetoast commentaries. . . . she comes to her opinions more out of empathy than ideology. . . . Fierce and informed riffs on current events and enduring challenges." - Kirkus Reviews

"This is a must-read for not only fans of Gay's work, but for everyone interested in reading intellectual, accessible, and important takes on timely topics." - Booklist (Starred Review)

"Insightful, witty and accessible prose. . . . Gay has an ability to blend the personal and political in a way that feels simultaneously gentle and brutal. . . . For 1,400 or so words you look at a cultural moment through Gay's eyes and, by the end, you see the world differently." - The Guardian

"Her opinions are not just indictments of the suffering people went through, but intimate conversations capable of uplifting the reader during any phase of their life." - The Harvard Crimson