The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness, #3) (1986) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictWoke

60%

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness, #3)1986

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

For its day, this is a prototypically non-traditional fantasy, with a female lead breaking social barriers. While not nearly as overtly ideological as modern titles, it definitely leans progressive for its era.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Woke

What is this?

The book centers on Alanna, a female protagonist who challenges gender norms in a medieval fantasy world. While her development feels organic for much of the story, the emphasis on her breaking into exclusively male spaces can feel a bit like a box-check for late '80s empowerment, somewhat at the cost of plausibility within the cultural setting.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Woke

What is this?

Alanna upends traditional gender roles, and there’s a strong theme of subverting patriarchal expectations. Religion and family aren’t outright mocked, but the traditional structures, especially masculinity, are persistently challenged and shown as needing reform, which some readers could see as undermining classic foundations.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Woke

What is this?

Alternative views get modest representation, characters who object to Alanna's ambitions exist, but they're mostly obstacles or are proven wrong by the story’s logic. However, some nuance is present in character motives, with not all opposition presented as stereotypically evil or bigoted.

User Reviews

No user reviews received yet.

Please leave a review and let the world know what you think.
Your review will be kept completely anonymous.

Your Review

Comments

Users Also Viewed

Movie poster for LOUIS VUITTON AVEC LEA SEYDOUX

Movie poster for The Movie You Will Never See

Movie poster for TINY'S AVEC CHLOE PAQUET

Movie poster for CAPUCINES HANDBAGS COLLECTION

Mufasa : Le Roi Lion - Bande-annonce

Movie poster for Squid Game 3 - Bande Annonce

Movie poster for Un parfait inconnu - Bande Annoce

Movie poster for Wrightslaw: From Emotions To Advocacy The Special Education Survival Guide

Bharat: The Uncolonized

Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.