Book Synopsis

Whether or not you've ever set foot in a church, Christian patriarchal norms have shaped American culture in ways that are far-reaching and insidious. From restrictive legislation that takes away women's bodily autonomy and makes life as a working parent nearly impossible, to cultural norms that expect women to pick up after their husbands and joyfully give up their careers to care for children--these are all standards informed and fed by Christian culture.

Gemma Hartley grew up in an Evangelical household where she was raised to become an obedient wife from the time she was a little girl. At summer camp as a 12 year old, she was encouraged to channel any emerging sexual desire into letters to her unknown future husband--god forbid she ever learn about sex before meeting him. She married her high school sweetheart at 20, and had three children before she turned 30. Weaving the threads of her Christian upbringing together with a feminist examination of society today, Hartley tells her personal story, but it's bigger than that: No One Loves an Angry Woman is the story of a cultural awakening.

About the Author