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Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress: Tales of Growing up Groovy and Clueless by Susan Jane Gilman
erinmp's review against another edition
3.0
Funny, funny memoir about childhood, surviving high school, and becoming an adult. Many laugh-out-loud moments.
midwinteraz's review against another edition
4.0
I've started and quit several Gen X memoirs because they all seem to follow the same pattern on white, privileged, drug-addled young adults from broken homes in Manhattan. At first glance, this looked like it was going to be more of the same, but Gilman's prose made even the most tired cliche enjoyable. I found each vignette compelling, and could happily read another full collection of stories by her.
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this memoir of a girl growing up with hippie parents, struggling with her feminist ideals and how to incorporate them into her life.
southernhon's review against another edition
3.0
I was literally laughing out loud during the first chapters of this book. The author's commentary on her unique childhood experiences was hilarious and irreverent. I was really looking forward to the rest of the book. I had high hopes for it, but started feeling disappointed the more I read. Instead of becoming more self-aware and grown up, the author seemed to just revel in being a clueless, shallow person who seemed obsessed with the size of her breasts and having sex with every male who walks. She falsely seems to believe that by throwing around the F word and embracing liberal ideologies she can be a nouveau feminist. Instead, she just comes across and loud, brash and offensive.
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit that I like the first half of this book much more than the last half. In fact, I have to plead guilty of sort of skimming the final 30 pages. But the first half made me laugh out loud several times. Growing up on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Gilman had many experiences in her early years that are universal. I mean who didn't lie during show-and-tell? Who didn't feel constant peer pressure, have an awkward adolescence, and be plagued by school yard bullies? But, Susan Jane Gilman tells these stories in such a way that I had to laugh--especially the tale of being cast in a movie during summer vacation. Sorry, coworkers. I was taking a short reading break at my desk and, apparently, my giggling was disruptive.
jules1278's review against another edition
3.0
I love the author's voice and ability to laugh at herself (and to make it funny for us, too.)
_mallc_'s review against another edition
3.0
The first bits made me laugh out loud more than is socially acceptable, the middle bits were too crass for my taste, the end bit was beautiful and wonderful.
bizzylizzie's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best of the funny-girl, self-depreciating life stories, but a decent read with some funny moments. Susan Gillman's life is pretty extraordinary and colorful, and it's a quick read.