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M.E. O’Brien’s Family Abolition: Capitalism and the Communizing of Care is a radical, incisive examination of the nuclear family as a site of capitalist social reproduction—and a call to imagine something better. O’Brien expertly threads together historical materialist analysis with visionary speculation, laying bare the ways family, capitalism, and state power intertwine to uphold systems of exploitation, coercion, and control. Her writing is both declarative and polemical, driven by a deep commitment to the liberation of all people.

One of the book’s most revelatory strengths lies in O’Brien’s definition of insurgent social reproduction: the transformation of household labor—those daily acts of care and survival—into the sustenance of militant protest. This reorientation challenges the reader to see “family” not as a static unit confined by blood and marriage, but as a dynamic practice: a group of people who “simply take part in this reproduction of social life.” Through this lens, the barricade becomes as much a site of family-making as the kitchen table. The Oaxaca Commune, which O’Brien references, is one such example that deeply resonated with me. It crystallized a truth I had long felt: that if we care enough about each other to help each other survive, we should be able to call ourselves family.

O’Brien expertly reveals how the nuclear family is not a natural or inevitable formation but a historically specific structure designed to socialize gender roles, impose heterosexual norms, and maintain male domination. The family, in its modern capitalist form, is the primary vehicle for reproducing able-bodied workers while isolating us from collective solidarity. It is a site of both care and coercion, a tension that O’Brien returns to again and again.

This analysis landed heavily for me, particularly as someone who often reflects on the ways we teach children to survive in a world that inflicts so much harm. We all have to be taught how to be people—how to exist in this world, how to advocate for and protect ourselves. We deserve safe, loving spaces to do that, spaces that encourage us to grow into our most authentic selves. But under capitalism, families are too often structured to produce obedience, heteronormativity, and compliance with exploitative systems.

The text also powerfully demonstrates how dedication to the nuclear family limits our capacity for collective solidarity. By making us wholly dependent on the private family unit for care, capitalism ensures that we remain vulnerable to abuse, isolation, and coercion. O’Brien asks us to consider: what would it mean to broaden our idea of family? To imagine care as communal, rather than privatized? What if children were raised not in isolation but with the support of many adults invested in their growth?

I was particularly moved by O’Brien’s insistence that whatever we build to replace the family must not replicate its harms. She urges us to abolish the border between child and adult, restoring autonomy to children as the independent humans they are. This call resonated deeply with me as someone who believes that disrupting cycles of harm begins with how we treat the most vulnerable among us.

O’Brien’s analysis also illuminated connections I had sensed but struggled to articulate—particularly the link between the nuclear family and private property. She demonstrates how capitalist states have historically restricted rights and resources to monogamous, heterosexual, married couples. These structures are not merely oppressive; they are intentional mechanisms to hoard wealth and social status.

Ultimately, what lingers most from Family Abolition is its hope. O’Brien dares us to envision a world where care is not transactional, where love is not confined by property or legality, where our capacities for tenderness and solidarity are truly free. Her insistence that “family abolition is a horizon of human freedom” felt like a breath of air after holding my breath for so long. It is an invitation—to rupture, to reimagine, and to build anew.

📖 Recommended For: Readers engaged with radical leftist thought, abolitionist feminism, and queer theory; those interested in the intersections of capitalism, family, and social reproduction; fans of Sophie Lewis and Dean Spade.

🔑 Key Themes: Family and Capitalism, Collective Care and Social Reproduction, Queer and Feminist Futures, Childhood Liberation and Autonomy, Abolitionist Politics.

Rachel E. Gross’s "Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage" is a revelatory exploration of anatomy that traces the long history of scientific neglect and misunderstanding regarding bodies with uteruses. Gross deftly combines medical history, personal narrative, and rigorous journalism to uncover the biases that have shaped—and often stymied—the study of these bodies.

The journey begins over 2,000 years ago with Hippocrates and Aristotle, who recognized the clitoris and its link to sexual pleasure. Yet, it wasn’t until 2005 that urologist Helen O’Connell mapped out the extensive internal structure of the clitoris, highlighting a network of nerves and tissues far more complex than previously understood. This delay in understanding, Gross argues, is a direct result of centuries of sexism and the dominance of male perspectives in science and medicine.

Gross details how historical figures like Charles Darwin and Sigmund Freud perpetuated the view that women were inferior to men, seeing bodies with uteruses as mere variations of the male form. The vagina, for instance, was long thought to be a mere inward penis, and ovaries were deemed internal testicles. This male-centric view reduced the female body to its reproductive functions and largely ignored its full biological complexity.

"Vagina Obscura" was inspired by Gross's personal experience with a vaginal infection that went misdiagnosed for an extended period. Her journey of self-discovery underscores a broader issue: the medical community’s historical lack of understanding and attention to feminine anatomy. Gross's ordeal with bacterial vaginosis, a condition often overlooked or mismanaged, exemplifies the broader "black box" that female bodies have been relegated to in medical science.

Gross’s book meticulously documents the clitoris, vagina, ovaries, and uterus, offering a deep dive into their structures and functions. She also sheds light on the transformative field of gender affirmation surgery, underscoring the medical advancements benefiting transgender individuals. Throughout, Gross confronts the prejudices and misconceptions surrounding feminine biology, including controversial topics like vaginal versus clitoral orgasms and the existence of the G-spot.

The book is not merely a critique but also a celebration of the progress being made. Gross highlights the contributions of often-overlooked researchers, such as Miriam Menkin, who demonstrated the possibility of in vitro fertilization. She marvels at the regenerative properties of ovaries, challenging the long-held belief that women are born with a finite number of eggs. These discoveries, Gross argues, could lead to groundbreaking treatments for conditions like infertility and endometriosis, the latter of which has been historically misunderstood and dismissed.

"Vagina Obscura" is a powerful call to action, urging a reassessment of medical practices and a more inclusive approach to scientific research. Gross’s engaging writing, enriched with wry humor and vivid personal anecdotes, makes the book both informative and accessible. She offers a hopeful vision of what’s possible when researchers genuinely pay attention to feminine anatomy, providing a glimpse into a future where medical understanding is not hindered by centuries-old biases.

In conclusion, "Vagina Obscura" is a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue about female health and anatomy. It challenges entrenched misconceptions and highlights the need for continued research and advocacy. Gross’s work is a reminder that the journey to fully understanding feminine bodies has only just begun, and it’s a path that promises to improve lives significantly.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates for Gender Equality and Women's Health, Readers Interested in Medical History and Feminine Biology, Fans of Mary Roach and Rebecca Skloot.

🔑 Key Themes: Uncovering Feminine Anatomical Mysteries, Challenging Historical Medical Bias, The Intersection of Gender and Science, Advances in Women's Health Research, The Impact of Sexism on Scientific Understanding.

The pacing felt a little off - I wanted more Healed Vivian. Also, the fatphobia was a bit grotesque. I really appreciated the estrangement narrative, though.