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micheleamar's review against another edition
2.0
I wish I'd read this book eleven years ago when I literally knew nothing about feminism except that I called myself one.
heatherhardy's review
4.0
This book was my introduction to feminism and I thought it was a great education! Valenti writes in a way that is relatable and moving. She makes even the monotonous points seem lively and interesting. Although I read this book this year and some of the information was outdated, I still got a great deal of information out of it. Great read, would recommend to anyone who is mature and looking to learn more about feminism.
dayoldtea's review against another edition
4.0
I do have problems with the ways some of these ideas were expressed and also the cover (since it could just as easily be objectifying as empowering), but overall it's a good introduction to feminism for teenagers who desperately need it.
crystalstarrlight's review
2.0
Reading more feminist blogs and meeting and talking to feminists has made me more and more interested in learning about feminism. I had read Valenti's [b:The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women|4914761|The Purity Myth How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women|Jessica Valenti|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1239579553s/4914761.jpg|4980306] and found it particularly interesting, so I figured I'd check out her first book, "Full Frontal Feminism".
You know, I haven't been a feminist long, but this book is extremely Feminism 101. Pretty much everything I read I had heard many times before and in more depth elsewhere. This feels more like a "Flyby Feminism" book, suited more towards very young women who are vaguely familiar with all these tropes, but maybe looking for more depth.
But I can't say I'd recommend this to any young women. Firstly, I felt the book was very divisive; Valenti was obviously writing to women just like her (liberal Democrats who think anyone that is different are prudey Republican anti-sexers) and not trying to be a bit more embracing to ALL women. Which is a shame, because ALL women need this, and I believe that ALL women, regardless of their opinions in some matters (you know, premarital sex and abortion) can AND SHOULD unite behind many of these topics. Honestly, unless we can find some common ground and work together, I don't see great change happening.
Very much tied in with the divisive, condescending, arrogant tone is the writing style itself. Valenti completely eschews any sort of formal, academic writing for a "hey girl" conversational style filled with assumptions, insults to Republicans (and "prudey" "anti-sexers") and foul language. I can understand wanting to talk to your audience, but young teenaged girls aren't stupid; they can see through sh!t. I know I would not have appreciated reading this fake teenspeak when I was between the ages of 14 - 19.
What is probably worse is the hypocrisy. Valenti is very much against a woman changing her last name when she marries - but makeup, purses, and heels are A-OK. Why? Essentially because Valenti likes these things and approves of them. The ridiculous thing is that a name doesn't determine whether you are a feminist. Liking makeup and shoes and wanting to get breast implants and wanting to wait until you are married to have sex aren't bad things or unfeminist things. They are just THINGS. A woman is a PERSON first and foremost, and we need to stop making assumptions about a woman based on what she likes and doesn't like (this includes myself, society, and feminists who assume that any liking of beauty or "traditional female roles" is bad).
So women: if you love sports and wear NIKE shoes and like violent video games, you can be a feminist! If you love "27 Dresses" and makeup and romance stories and adopted your man's last name, you can be a feminist! If you like action movies and makeup and wear earrings and love math and physics, YOU CAN BE A FEMINIST! There is NO LIST that separates the feminist from the non-feminist.
Towards the end, I had a really hard time appreciating even the good aspects, because of the tone, the writing, the attitude. Which is a shame, because, even if this is very basic, there are important messages that I think many young women should hear. Unfortunately, I am afraid that a portion of these women who need this the most (including my younger self) will be turned off because Valenti shoots off at the mouth. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend unless you are a young teenaged girl from a liberal, Democrat family and accustomed to a lot of swearing.
You know, I haven't been a feminist long, but this book is extremely Feminism 101. Pretty much everything I read I had heard many times before and in more depth elsewhere. This feels more like a "Flyby Feminism" book, suited more towards very young women who are vaguely familiar with all these tropes, but maybe looking for more depth.
But I can't say I'd recommend this to any young women. Firstly, I felt the book was very divisive; Valenti was obviously writing to women just like her (liberal Democrats who think anyone that is different are prudey Republican anti-sexers) and not trying to be a bit more embracing to ALL women. Which is a shame, because ALL women need this, and I believe that ALL women, regardless of their opinions in some matters (you know, premarital sex and abortion) can AND SHOULD unite behind many of these topics. Honestly, unless we can find some common ground and work together, I don't see great change happening.
Very much tied in with the divisive, condescending, arrogant tone is the writing style itself. Valenti completely eschews any sort of formal, academic writing for a "hey girl" conversational style filled with assumptions, insults to Republicans (and "prudey" "anti-sexers") and foul language. I can understand wanting to talk to your audience, but young teenaged girls aren't stupid; they can see through sh!t. I know I would not have appreciated reading this fake teenspeak when I was between the ages of 14 - 19.
What is probably worse is the hypocrisy. Valenti is very much against a woman changing her last name when she marries - but makeup, purses, and heels are A-OK. Why? Essentially because Valenti likes these things and approves of them. The ridiculous thing is that a name doesn't determine whether you are a feminist. Liking makeup and shoes and wanting to get breast implants and wanting to wait until you are married to have sex aren't bad things or unfeminist things. They are just THINGS. A woman is a PERSON first and foremost, and we need to stop making assumptions about a woman based on what she likes and doesn't like (this includes myself, society, and feminists who assume that any liking of beauty or "traditional female roles" is bad).
So women: if you love sports and wear NIKE shoes and like violent video games, you can be a feminist! If you love "27 Dresses" and makeup and romance stories and adopted your man's last name, you can be a feminist! If you like action movies and makeup and wear earrings and love math and physics, YOU CAN BE A FEMINIST! There is NO LIST that separates the feminist from the non-feminist.
Towards the end, I had a really hard time appreciating even the good aspects, because of the tone, the writing, the attitude. Which is a shame, because, even if this is very basic, there are important messages that I think many young women should hear. Unfortunately, I am afraid that a portion of these women who need this the most (including my younger self) will be turned off because Valenti shoots off at the mouth. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend unless you are a young teenaged girl from a liberal, Democrat family and accustomed to a lot of swearing.
kirstizoe's review
1.0
I was actually surprisingly disappointed in this book. I had just finished reading The Purity Myth and had loved it, and wanted to dive into some more of Valenti's work. I picked this one up from my local library, knowing that it was written for younger women who were much, much newer to the movement than I am. But I was curious as to what Valenti had to say to them.
Boy was I disappointed.
First of all. The cover. Don't get me started. While I realize that often authors get no say in the covers of their works, I'd read an article where Valenti talked about the cover of the Purity Myth and the specific imagery she wanted to portray there. Also she has worked with Seal Press on numerous occasions, as well as other members of Feminisnting.com so I'm guessing this was intentional. So, yeah. Way to use the barbie body to sell your book.
Second of all, I couldn't get past the swearing. While I'm no prude (I have references!) I didn't like the use of F*** at what seemed like EVERY OTHER SENTENCE. I understand the mentally of trying to be "cool" or whatever. But I work with high schoolers. They are gonna think you're a dork whether you swear or not. Its hardly the point. Make your argument solid to teenage logic and you have a fighting chance. Also, all the swearing is going to turn away any conservative girl who might pick up the book curious about what feminism really is about.
And that's the other thing. Valenti. Feminism isn't just about sex. I get that's your focus, and I like it. The Purity Myth was fascinating. I'm Devouring Yes Means Yes right now and adoring it. But if you're gonna write a feminism primer? Make it a feminism primer and not a sex primer. There is a lot more to it than being good in bed.
But what really made me put the book down where her strawman attacks on conservatives. I'm a liberal myself, but I believe, especially in these political times that we wont get anywhere by putting each other down. And no argument is won by simply saying "see look the other guys an idiot, and doesn't he have a stupid last name.. ha ha ha" What that sophomoric level of humor may be fine for some if the intent of the book is to introduce others to feminism, and THATS the model we're giving them? Oh boy are we in a world of hurt.
Overall, I can't say I'd recommend this book to my budding feminist niece.
Boy was I disappointed.
First of all. The cover. Don't get me started. While I realize that often authors get no say in the covers of their works, I'd read an article where Valenti talked about the cover of the Purity Myth and the specific imagery she wanted to portray there. Also she has worked with Seal Press on numerous occasions, as well as other members of Feminisnting.com so I'm guessing this was intentional. So, yeah. Way to use the barbie body to sell your book.
Second of all, I couldn't get past the swearing. While I'm no prude (I have references!) I didn't like the use of F*** at what seemed like EVERY OTHER SENTENCE. I understand the mentally of trying to be "cool" or whatever. But I work with high schoolers. They are gonna think you're a dork whether you swear or not. Its hardly the point. Make your argument solid to teenage logic and you have a fighting chance. Also, all the swearing is going to turn away any conservative girl who might pick up the book curious about what feminism really is about.
And that's the other thing. Valenti. Feminism isn't just about sex. I get that's your focus, and I like it. The Purity Myth was fascinating. I'm Devouring Yes Means Yes right now and adoring it. But if you're gonna write a feminism primer? Make it a feminism primer and not a sex primer. There is a lot more to it than being good in bed.
But what really made me put the book down where her strawman attacks on conservatives. I'm a liberal myself, but I believe, especially in these political times that we wont get anywhere by putting each other down. And no argument is won by simply saying "see look the other guys an idiot, and doesn't he have a stupid last name.. ha ha ha" What that sophomoric level of humor may be fine for some if the intent of the book is to introduce others to feminism, and THATS the model we're giving them? Oh boy are we in a world of hurt.
Overall, I can't say I'd recommend this book to my budding feminist niece.
maximum_moxie's review
3.0
More of a primer than an in-depth look at feminism; good for introducing the "F-word" to the newbies.
byp's review
4.0
I find the tone a bit grating, but I am not the target audience for this book. I would certainly recommend it to young women, as well as anyone who says, "I'm not a feminist, but…"
thepaige_turner's review
3.0
Check out my review here: http://thepaigeturnerblog.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/full-frontal-feminism-a-young-womans-guide-to-why-feminism-matters-by-jessica-valenti/