Review: Moxie

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

By now, of course, I think it's pretty plain that the infamous Kirkus review of this book was...pretty misinformed in its suggestion that Moxie somehow promotes not "real" feminism, but empowerment through gender segregation. Nope nope nope. Just feminism, straight up, as only our heroine Vivian can serve it. Girl power and punk music and smashing the patriarchy, with a glowing recommendation from Amy Poehler as if you didn't need another reason to read this book? What's not to love?

And as for the idea that guys are excluded from this narrative and/or all painted as sexist pigs and rapist monsters, well, clearly that Kirkus reviewer must've glossed over Seth's character entirely. Seth ain't perfect, and his social blindspots do have a way of wreaking havoc and creating conflict from time to time. Most of the time, though, he's a damn good role model for all male-ally feminist dudes. (Sure, it's a low bar to clear, being respectful to women just because it's goddamn right, but Seth clears it with a pretty flying leap, I think.) And when he's the love interest to such an engaging and fundamentally good protagonist as Vivian, well, you've got the recipe for one of the most shippable ships I've ever seen in YA. In between the serious issues that Vivian has to take on with her school's systemic sexism, their romance makes a great counterpoint. Awkward, as can be expected, but sweet and real, and you gotta love how Mathieu makes sure they never, ever so much as make out without both giving and receiving consent.

Sexism is the main social issue this book tackles, but it's not the only one. We get a few allusions to race relations too, and sexual orientation. Not much, but it's a nice tip of the cap from Mathieu to remind us all that there's not just one problem, and that society can always benefit from being more inclusive.

While Moxie is my first Jennifer Mathieu book, it's absolutely not going to be my last. But her other books now have to live up to this extremely high standard - can they? It'll be quite the challenge, especially given that I read this book in one sitting. It's that good.

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