Newsweek writer Jennie Yabroff raised literary eyebrows yesterday, reviewing Richard Russo’s new novel, “That Old Cape Magic,” and asking readers: “Is Author Richard Russo A Misogynist?”
Here’s an excerpt from the essay: “The flip side of veneration is resentment, and Russo’s books simmer with hostility toward women in general … The way Russo tells it, women are bitches, bovine, and dumb (but shrewd); like witches, and their familiars, cats, they have magical powers to summon misfortune on any man who crosses them.”
A number of literary types responded passionately and Twitter overflowed with defenses of Russo. Over at The Book Studio, Bethanne Patrick responded with a long, thoughtful essay: “Where [Yabroff] sees foils, I see detailed portraits of women whose lives have been forever changed and sometimes ruined by the actions of men…” Reviewer and blogger Edward Champion posted a letter to the editors of Newsweek.