‘Hating Women’ Book Review: An Impactful Read For Men

I’ll admit: as soon as I saw the book titled “Hating Women,” I knew I had to read it. There’s so much misogynistic discourse promoted online these days, and I was too curious not to find out which direction this book went in. Thankfully, this book heads in the right direction as it focuses on a man reforming his toxic ways rather than rejoicing in them. 

Written by Sean Hotchkiss – a former journalist for men’s magazines like GQ, Esquire, and Men’s Health – “Hating Women: A Memoir of Male Rage and Recovery” is a blended memoir and self-help guide. It not only tells of Sean’s personal story about his troubled relationship with women, but also advises his male readers who find themselves in similar situations how they, too, can change their lives. 

All throughout reading this book, I found myself torn between feeling happy that a man was admitting the truth about the rampant way many men use women in their lives and being upset by the fact that we still need a self-help guide like this in 2026. If you’re not a man but  read this book, seeking it out for self-help, you might feel the same sort of emotional rollercoaster ride I did while reading it. 

While I applaud the author for being brutally honest with himself and readers, it upset me to learn how many men live their lives like this.  

I do appreciate the author’s honesty about his difficult upbringing and strained family relationships being the source of his hatred and terrible behavior towards women. Though many of the scenarios in this book were difficult for me to read, and I struggled to understand how men could truly hate women as much as they seem to, I do think “Hating Women” will resonate with its target audience: struggling men.  

I did my best to approach this book with an open mind and to see it for the good it could potentially do for men constantly involved in tumultuous relationships with women. Some of the realizations discussed in this book felt like common sense to me. However, after reading this book, I can see how they are, unfortunately, not. 

If men are really as afraid of vulnerability as the book makes them out to be, then I can understand where some of the abhorrent behaviors I’ve endured from men stem from. I still find it mind-blowing that we are having the same conversations about the mistreatment and hatred of women in 2026, but perhaps this book is another step in the right direction. Perhaps this will help pave the way for a more respectful future for all. 

One part of “Hating Women” I especially enjoyed was the author’s discussion of somatic healing. 

That sparked my interest, and I did appreciate the many different kinds of therapy the author discussed throughout this book. I find his willingness to admit his wrongs and his determination to correct them absolutely admirable. 

I have not met many people who have worked this hard on understanding and bettering themselves, and I do think that is an important lesson that anyone reading this book can take away from it. Hotchkiss shows his readers that progress is possible, as long as you don’t give up on it — or yourself. 

“Hating Women: A Memoir of Male Rage and Recovery” is published by Simon & Schuster and releases on July 21, 2026. 

Featured image via Simon & Schuster