Portrait of a Feminist: A Memoir in Essays by Marianna Marlowe is a powerful and deeply introspective collection that maps the journey of a biracial, multicultural woman finding her voice and defining her beliefs in a world riddled with patriarchal constraints. Through poignant, braided memories that traverse continents and stages of life, Marlowe crafts a memoir that is as much about the personal as it is about the political, showing how the two are inextricably intertwined.

Marlowe’s writing is evocative and precise, layering personal anecdotes with cultural analysis in a way that feels both intimate and universally resonant. Her experiences as the child of a Catholic Peruvian mother and an atheist American father form the foundation of her exploration of identity and belonging. The contrast between her family’s expectations and her growing feminist consciousness is portrayed with a rawness that makes you feel every moment of her joy, anger, and confusion.

The essays are rich with sensory details—descriptions of sunlit childhood days in Peru, the academic corridors she walked as an adult, and the quiet spaces where she reflects on love, motherhood, and mortality. But they’re also filled with sharp insights into how patriarchy embeds itself in everyday life, from literature and marriage dynamics to the hierarchies of religion and academia. Marlowe interrogates the stories she was told growing up and the cultural myths that shaped her understanding of what it means to be a woman. Whether she’s unpacking the narratives of submissive women in religious texts or challenging the structures of academia, her voice is both bold and thoughtful.

One of the standout aspects of this memoir is its exploration of intersections—of culture, race, class, and gender. Marlowe navigates these complexities with grace and honesty, especially in her reflections on the privileges and limitations that shaped her life across different societies. Her relationship with her mother, for example, serves as both a mirror and a point of divergence: while her mother adhered to traditional roles, Marlowe questions them, finding her own path as a feminist who must also reconcile with her cultural heritage.

The structure of the book—braided memories that shift between past and present—can be both a strength and a challenge. The nonlinear approach allows Marlowe to draw powerful connections across time and space, but some readers may find the temporal jumps disorienting. However, once you settle into the rhythm of her storytelling, the connections between different moments of her life become beautifully clear, creating a portrait of self-discovery that feels organic rather than chronological.

Marlowe’s vulnerability shines through as she examines not only the injustices she has witnessed but also her own complicity and missteps. She acknowledges the contradictions inherent in striving to live according to feminist ideals while navigating relationships, societal pressures, and the limitations of her own understanding. This self-awareness makes her narrative feel grounded and authentic.

If there’s a critique, it’s that some of the more theoretical sections—particularly her analyses of misogynistic literature and institutional structures—can feel dense compared to the more lyrical, personal essays. However, for readers who appreciate a blend of memoir and cultural critique, this balance will likely feel enriching rather than heavy.

At 4 stars, Portrait of a Feminist is a moving and intellectually stimulating exploration of identity, feminism, and the lifelong process of self-definition. Marianna Marlowe’s memoir is both a celebration of feminist resilience and a call to reimagine what feminism can look like in today’s world. It’s a book that will resonate deeply with readers who have questioned the roles imposed upon them, sought to untangle themselves from cultural contradictions, or tried to live in alignment with their values while grappling with the complexities of family, love, and justice.

I'm grateful to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the eARC.

I'm trying to read more women oriented titles, and more memoirs and this was a perfect addition to my shelf. Everyone should read this book, especially all women. In a beautiful manner Marianna Marlowe has weaved this memoir with intimate and emotional details that are meant to feel evocative.

It has strong themes, including marriages of inequal stature, patriarchal norms, and multicultural upbringing. The book is much more than a memoir, and serves as a lesson in retrospective for the society that discriminates on a number of agendas, gender being one of the foremost one.

The book also shows the author's journey of self discovery, and learning and unlearning the biases of feminism and associated sociopolitical issues.

Highly recommended

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I had to take time to sit with this book. Each essay was beautiful. We navigate through the author discovering her identity and who she really is through the relationship between her parents and women she encounters, her experiences, her own love stories. I loved this book because I was able to identify with similar struggles and family dynamics and I think it made the read hit even harder.

There's some interesting thoughts in here, but I found it a bit dry.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Marlowe’s memoir, Portrait of a Feminist, explores how her biracial background and multicultural upbringing shaped her evolving feminist outlook. With sharp insights and elegant prose, she critiques patriarchal structures and challenges readers to reflect on modern feminism. A profound and thought-provoking read for those interested in cultural identity and gender equality. This is a perfect addition to my shelf alongside Adichie and Arundhuti Roy

Marlowe’s Portrait of a Feminist is a reflective piece on the effects of patriarchy in our psyches, memories and reactions.
With her culturally rich background, Marlowe’s brings fresh insights into what being a woman, and a woman with multiple minority identities means in our modern world.
She talks about her experiences and the lives of women around her, at times a seemingly brief incident caused by patriarchy, a horrendous action performed by men, that haunt women for their lifetime. These were extremely recognisable, relatable and uncomfortable - not because of the writing, because of the nature of those incidents. I liked the author’s raw and brave retrospective.
I also enjoyed reading about the unique cultural sparks the author included. It was lovely to read the Spanish original phrases, and of course, an English translation is provided for all of them.
Then, why the three stars? I had, perhaps unrealistic, expectations of more depth, insights and at times, a differently layered writing. This is majorly out of my personal tastes and expectations based on my previous experiences.
This is an important and needed book, and I am glad to have met Marlowe’s voice. I recommend this book to younger women (15-25) in particular. You are not alone.

I thought this book was really good. I love how it covered the themes of immigration, misogyny, patriarchy, and also learning about the different culture of the main character. It was moving back with lots of emotion.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!