Recommended by Goethe-Institut Pune Sabine Hahn - Gender & Gaming
What used to be an intimidating, male- dominated landscape is becoming increasingly more inclusive, with more and more young girls discovering the wonder that video games can provide. We recommend Gender and Gaming, if you would like a sneak peek in the current gaming industry.
Recommended by Goethe-Institut Delhi Rahul Roy - A Little Book on Men
An unprecedented and timely effort, A Little Book on Men, a graphic book, attempts to address many of the issues and questions that surround masculinity in a creative and reader-friendly manner through drawings, text and video frames.
You understand yourself as a feminist and men as the biggest problem humanity is facing? Read JJ Bolas “Mask off” to have a glimps at how difficult it can be to grow up as a “real man” and how many young men feel like they can only fail in life.
Recommended by Goethe-Institut Chennai Allegro Pastel - Leif Randt
**If you are between 30 and 40, reading "Allegro Pastel" might be especially hard for you: it is not the greatest picture of this generation that Leif Randt is painting here. The protagonist cares mostly about himself and the next photo opportunity for Instagram. He drifts in and out of relationships, not bothered enough or too much in love with himself to fight for anything.
Men are always strong, wear moustaches and are sexually attracted to women? “Boys will be boys” collects success stories of men with diverse pursuits and backgrounds. Some fight for our environment, some went to space and some dedicate their lives to others or write books that touch millions of readers. Unfortunately, the book deals exclusively with successful men, setting the sights perhaps too high. But if you want your children to be inspired by what men can do in all fields of life, this is your book.
Recommended by Goethe-Institut Chennai Big Hero, Size Zero - Anusha Hariharan, Sowmya Rajendran
You really want to speak with your children or your students about gender issues but don´t know how? This book might help you with relatable stories and characters that can open up the discussion.
Recommended by Esha Aurora, Bangladesh Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
If there was ever a book mired in the hubris of masculinity, this would be it. While Miller's work is a harsh critique on capitalism it's also a jarring look into how the male gaze portrays women and also how it demands aggression from men to be a man.
Image: Screenshot Colonial Masculinity
Recommended by Rubaiyat Hossain, Bangladesh Colonial Masculinity
Mrinalini Sinha’s book “Colonial Masculinity” is about the processes and practices through which a modern-derivative colonial masculinity emerged in 19th century Bengal. The book argues that the dynamics between colonial and nationalist politics "is best captured in the logic of colonial masculinity.” Sinha's argument revolves around the three major social reform bills that redefined women’s social and cultural repositioning in society: The Abolition of Sati Act 1829, Widow Remarriage Act 1856, Age of Consent Bill 1891. Through these three social reform acts, a new Bengali masculinity was created, which was very much informed and influenced by British masculinity, colonialism and the derivative nature of Bengali nationalism
