Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fay Weldon turns from feminism to boy power

David Lister
Friday 25 April 1997 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The novelist Fay Weldon has called on feminists to become masculinist and promote the self esteem of little boys.

Weldon, 65, was speaking following the announcement of a new TV drama Big Women to be shown on Channel 4. The series tells the story of a feminist publishing house over 25 years from the 1970s to the 1990s. It shows heady idealism giving way to disillusion particularly among men.

According to Weldon, "The serial is going to be very sexy but not in a salacious way. Lots of naked women running around in the woods communing with the Mother Goddess."

Weldon, writer of The Lives And Loves Of A She-Devil, said no one can accuse her of going back on her feminist principles.

"I will get stick from all sides! But I can't have deserted because I was never there. There is no headquarters, you know.

"Our duty now is to become masculinist. It is time we looked after the self esteem of the little boys," she declared.

"Feminism was a revolution that happened. It was an amazing movement that worked. Everything is completely different to what it was 25 years ago.

"But what happens with all revolutions is they become the Establishment.

Women's problem has become how to find a man when do you get the opportunity and how do you find the time? Because nobody now is good enough for them."

A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed yesterday that the Big Women series would be based on the Virago Press.

"It will be a satirical look at feminism over the last quarter of a century," he said. The producer will be Tariq Ali and shooting will start in July. The cast has yet to be confirmed.

Channel 4's drama plans also include an adaptation of Anthony Powell's A Dance To The Music Of Time and an adaptation of Francis Durbridge's classic sixties thriller Melissa, updated by Alan Bleasdale. Jennifer Ehle, who played Elizabeth in Pride And Prejudice, will play Melissa. Julie Walters and Bill Paterson will also star. David Lister

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in