We spoke with Lucy Cooke, an author who breaks myths and stereotypes about what it means to be a woman

I firmly believe there is not a woman on Earth who has not, at least once, experienced the projection of some stereotype about women. But stereotypes are meant to be broken. Unfortunately, I have felt this on my own skin, and more than once; in society, in jest, in the extended family, and at work. If I had a euro for every time it was expected that a woman would make coffee at a business meeting, I would be wealthy. And if I had one for every suppressed memory, I suppose I wouldn’t have to work for a living, at least not for money and survival.

Bitch

About two years ago, I read a review in a British media outlet about the book “Bitch,” and it immediately intrigued me. The author of the article dynamically dissected the book and drew comparisons between its conclusions and Darwin’s scientific theories with those of Lucy Cooke. Scientist Lucy Cooke has written a book that presents a passionate, humorous, and revolutionary view of the empresses of the animal kingdom. In her book, Cooke explains what it means to be a woman. The women in “Bitch” defy conventional expectations regarding their bodies, brains, biology, and behavior. Whether Cook is exploring female albatross pairs that raise young together, murderous meerkat mothers, or female lemurs from Madagascar that physically and socially dominate their males, Lucy Cooke leads us through a new evolutionary biology, one where females can be as dynamic and interesting as any male. “Bitch” is an absolutely fascinating book that dismantles stereotypes and myths about females and women. This is a book that brings revolutionary discoveries, which are mirrored from the animal world into the human one.

In those few sentences reviewing the book, I immediately recognized myself; in fact, I recognized most of the women in my life, no matter how different they may be from one another. By reading the book, I can only conclude that Lucy Cooke has succeeded in one different generalization: the one that recognizes the false stereotype shared by the female gender, across all species, and with one stroke—through an empirical, scientific approach—destroys it. Lucy Cooke, “Bitch”—noted on my reading list. It took just over two years (so many books, and so little time!) before my editor surprised me with the wonderful news that I had the opportunity to interview the author! I read the book in two days, and that was only because it was a workweek, and I couldn’t devote the entire day to the book. I had to stop because a sleepless night in the middle of the week, just before going on vacation, is not the best decision.

Photo: Znanje

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