Name: I don't know, do you? by Marilla M. Ricker
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: Ricker, Marilla M. (Marilla Marks), 1840-1920

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I don't know, do you? by Marilla M. Ricker

(4 User reviews) 1096

By Evelyn Fischer Posted on Mar 18, 2026

In Category - Modern Literature

Authors: Ricker, Marilla M. (Marilla Marks), 1840-1920 Published By : Ricker, Marilla M. (Marilla Marks), 1840-1920

Book Language: English

Hey, I just finished this wild little book from 1916 that I think you'd find fascinating. It's called 'I Don't Know, Do You?' by Marilla M. Ricker. Don't let the old-fashioned publication date fool you—this thing is a time capsule of radical thought. Ricker was a lawyer, suffragist, and freethinker who basically wrote this as a series of sharp, witty essays questioning everything society held sacred in her time: religion, marriage laws, women's rights, politics. The main 'conflict' isn't a plot, but the clash between her fiercely independent, questioning mind and the rigid conventions of early 20th-century America. It reads like a fiery blog from another era. Some of her takes will make you cheer, others might make you wince, but you'll never be bored. It's a direct line to the thoughts of a woman who refused to accept 'because that's how it is' as an answer.

File: I don't know, do you? by Marilla M. Ricker

Let's get this out of the way: this isn't a novel. If you're looking for a story with a plot, characters, and a climax, you won't find it here. 'I Don't Know, Do You?' is a collection of opinions, plain and simple. Published in 1916, it's Marilla Ricker putting her thoughts on paper about the big issues of her day. She writes about her rejection of organized religion, her arguments for why women deserve full equality (including the right to vote, which was still years away nationally), and her critiques of the legal system, which she knew intimately as one of the first female lawyers in New Hampshire.

The Story

There's no narrative story. Instead, imagine sitting down for coffee with a sharp, no-nonsense great-aunt who has seen it all and has zero patience for nonsense. Each chapter is a different topic. She asks blunt questions like 'What is prayer?' and then dismantles traditional answers. She argues for rational thinking over blind faith, for personal liberty over social conformity. The 'journey' is following her logical, often sarcastic, mind as she picks apart the pillars of early 1900s society. It's less of a story and more of an intellectual assault on the status quo.

Why You Should Read It

Reading Ricker is electrifying because of her voice. She's confident, uncompromising, and funny. You feel her frustration and her intelligence on every page. It's a powerful reminder that the debates we think are modern—about gender roles, the separation of church and state, individual freedom—were raging over a century ago. It’s also a bit humbling; some of her views, particularly her embrace of eugenics, are a stark reminder that even progressive heroes are products of their flawed times. You don't have to agree with her on everything to be amazed by her courage to publish these thoughts when most women were expected to be silent.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for history buffs who want to go beyond dates and battles to hear a real, unfiltered voice from the past. It's also great for anyone interested in the roots of feminism, secularism, or social reform. If you enjoy writers who challenge authority and make you think, you'll find a kindred spirit in Marilla Ricker. Just be ready for a direct, opinionated, and thoroughly engaging conversation across the decades.