On Class, Deborah Dundas
On Class, Deborah Dundas
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On Class

Author: Deborah Dundas

Narrator: Deborah Dundas

Unabridged: 4 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: ECW Press

Published: 07/30/2023


Synopsis

Deborah Dundas is a journalist who grew up poor and almost didn’t make it to university. In On Class, she talks to writers, activists, those who work with the poor and those who are poor about what happens when we don’t talk about poverty or class—and what will happen when we do. Growing up poor, Deborah Dundas knew what it meant to want, to be hungry, and to long for social and economic dignity; she understood the crushing weight of having nothing much expected of you. But even after overcoming many of the usual barriers faced by lower- and working-class people, she still felt anxious about her place, and even in relatively safe spaces reluctant to broach the subject of class. While new social movements have generated open conversation about gender and racism, discussions of class rarely include the voices of those most deeply affected: the working class and poor.On Class is an exploration of the ways in which we talk about class: of who tells the stories, and who doesn’t, which ones tend to be repeated most often, and why this has to change. It asks the question: What don’t we talk about when we don’t talk about class? And what might happen if, finally, we did?

Reviews

Goodreads review by Barbara on June 13, 2023

Thoughts on class prompted by the pandemic. The importance of telling own, authentic stories. I was interested in the naming of things that we haven’t yet talked about in our discussions of intersectionality. At the end of every chapter, I had the feeling that Dundas was on the brink of revealing mo......more

Goodreads review by David on September 27, 2023

I generally read very little nonfiction and even less in the field of sociology, but I found this to be a nicely presented, easily accessible read (or listen, in my case -- I had the audiobook, read by the author). There was a nice balance of anecdotes and commentary so it didn't feel too dry. One i......more

Goodreads review by Andrew on April 28, 2024

A smart and punchy talk about that identity we don't talk about in Canada because it apparently doesn't exist. Nor, people say, does it impact our choices and opportunities. Which is why this book needs reading.......more

Goodreads review by David on December 12, 2023

Despite being an absolute SEO nightmare, I love these Field Notes from Biblioasis. Thoughtful conversations from a Canadian perspective — I had to grab the latest On Class from the books editor at the Toronto Star, Deborah Dundas. Things that I take for granted like reminiscing about back to school s......more

Goodreads review by J.J. on May 12, 2023

In a time of soaring wealth and income inequality, one would assume that class would be a frequent topic of discussion. Sadly, it seems the term has disappeared from the political discourse. It’s a subject we talk around, but seldom talk about. In On Class, Toronto Star Books Columnist Deborah Dunda......more