The Secret History of Wonder Woman: Review


This morning I finally finished this book. I borrowed it from a co-worker when Wonder Woman ,the movie came out, so a while ago. The reason it took so long was because it took me forever to pick up, and get into when I finally did pick it up. I did enjoy learning more about such an iconic pop culture figure.

My rating: 3/5 stars 

Now for the synopsis: this is a non-fiction book on the history of Wonder Woman. The book starts with the creator, William Moulton Marston and his education. During his undergraduate, he met his wife and participated in the suffragette movement. The book includes events such as the history of birth control and other influences that helped form Wonder Woman. Goodreads.

I had no idea how influential Wonder Woman has been over the years. I also had no idea that Wonder Woman was created in the 1940s. She is one of the few comic characters, especially being a female superhero, that has lasted so long. Something that was cool, the book inserted pictures of the first sketches of Wonder Woman, and strips from the comics throughout it.

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It was interesting to learn more about the creator of Wonder Woman, a man how invented the lie detector test, was a phycologist, a professors, and more. Most importantly, he believed in women rights. From his evolvement with the suffragette movement in college to the creation of the superhero, Marston had an interesting life. He had a polyamorous relationship with his wife Elizabeth “Keets” Holloway, one woman who came and went as she pleased and another woman Olive “Dots” Bryne that lived with them. He had four children between the two women he lived with, his living arrangements were a secret even to his kids, he had troubles holding a job, and had a thing for bondage. In every script he wrote Wonder Woman getting tied up then she breaks free of the bonds as a metaphor for women to break free of limitations forced on women by men. I liked reading about why he chose the bracelets, which were inspired by his secret wife, Bryne who had bracelets that were similar. Also, the lasso for our female heroine was adapted from his invention of the lie detector test.

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The books was an educational read, and because that a little slow. I felt the author seemed a little bias at times, but sometimes did include others’ perspectives on Wonder Woman. For example, how some believed she was inappropriate and sending the wrong message to the children reading the comics. Because so many kept reading, Wonder Woman was finally made into a movie last year. Not only was she the first female comic book superhero, but first female superhero to make it to the big screen. If you haven’t checked out the movie, I highly recommend it. Also, if you enjoyed the movie and want to learn more about her, do a Google search. Haha, just joking. this book would be for you.

Well, thanks for reading!

Sarah ❤


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