The Second SexThe Second Sex
Score Classic
What it's about
Simone de Beauvoir's landmark work examines every facet of women's lives, from biology and history to myth, childhood, marriage and motherhood, arguing that 'one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman', and that women have been defined as the 'other' to men.
Why it's worth reading
It's on Le Monde's list of the 100 books of the century. It's a founding text of modern feminism.
You'll love it if you liked
A Room of One's Own
The Feminine Mystique
Women & Power: A ManifestoGood to know
It's very long and philosophical. The 2009 English translation is complete.
By the numbers
- Readers59 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller39 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
More by Simone de Beauvoir
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To Kill a Mockingbird
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
The Color Purple
1984
The Lord of the Rings
A Brief History of TimeExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Second Sex worth reading?
Yes. It's on Le Monde's list of the 100 books of the century. It ranks #1,572 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 67.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Second Sex about?
Simone de Beauvoir's landmark work examines every facet of women's lives, from biology and history to myth, childhood, marriage and motherhood, arguing that 'one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman', and that women have been defined as the 'other' to men.
How long does it take to read The Second Sex?
About 19 hours (746 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Second Sex?
If you liked it, try A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan or Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard.