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jegg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
4.0
I really enjoyed the stories. But I feel like this would fall flat to an audience that has opinions that differ from the ones presented, making this book less effective at opening minds than it intends
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting thoughts on 'security' in the modern world...
msjoanna's review against another edition
3.0
This book is part memoir and part political manifesto. The parts of the books that described the author's experiences around the world working with women to end violence and create community were moving and beautiful. Interwoven with these stories were the author's own story of putting her life together after having been abused by her stepfather when she was a child and having been a heavy drinker/meth addict as a young adult. These personal memoirs were compelling, but much less interesting than the stories of the other women the author has met. Mixed in with the personal and women-centered stories were political arguments (and complaints about the Bush administration). These arguments were far less compelling and turned what could have been a really excellent memoir into something that felt much more amateur and almost blog-like. Still, an enjoyable read (and short [200 pages exactly in the hardcover edition:]).
amorg2013's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
ked2yk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
Good reflection good to read after a few years - Felt at times that she was a little bit self-centered. Did enjoy the perspective looking outside of the US and looking at the waist the US has negatively impacted people around the world. Good to read some of Eve Ensler’s other work. Pretty good!
christianhaven's review against another edition
5.0
Though a tad redundant (if you've read other Ensler books), Eve creates tangible emotion with her poignant memoir. She invites readers to understand and empathize with the real women she's met with. Eve does an excellent job sucking readers in and then making them stay. Overall, great book. I'd definitely read it again.
lindsayw's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always a fan of Eve Ensler's books. Her writing style is beautiful, and her message is always powerful. This book is no exception, despite the fact that I'm a bit late to the party in reading it, so it's a bit dated at this point. Nonetheless, the sections where Eve discusses her conversations and experiences with women in war-torn (or to put it in the terms of this book, insecure) places are poignant and inspiring. She has encountered such amazing women around the world, doing unbelievable things even in the midst of unspeakable horrors. The only downside I might suggest that these sections have is that they're very short, and hearing more about the work being done would have been nice.
The other major part of this book is Ensler's reflections on her own largely insecure upbringing. Like the horrible conditions she writes about regarding women in Bosnia, Mexico, and Afghanistan (among others), these sections can be difficult to read as well. The pain of her childhood can be felt in the text, and speak of a very extreme case of just not ever being made to feel that you are good enough, something that I think most everyone can relate to at some point in their life. Ensler's experiences with abuse are a particularly horrible example of this, but the message she gets out of it is powerful: "There is a plan to make you feel ugly and powerless, insignificant and insecure. There is a plan to make you feel like someone or something is coming to fix and rescue you... There is no solution. There is no reason to fix it. No one is smarter or better or on top. You are already enough. Enough."
The other major part of this book is Ensler's reflections on her own largely insecure upbringing. Like the horrible conditions she writes about regarding women in Bosnia, Mexico, and Afghanistan (among others), these sections can be difficult to read as well. The pain of her childhood can be felt in the text, and speak of a very extreme case of just not ever being made to feel that you are good enough, something that I think most everyone can relate to at some point in their life. Ensler's experiences with abuse are a particularly horrible example of this, but the message she gets out of it is powerful: "There is a plan to make you feel ugly and powerless, insignificant and insecure. There is a plan to make you feel like someone or something is coming to fix and rescue you... There is no solution. There is no reason to fix it. No one is smarter or better or on top. You are already enough. Enough."
akaebersold's review against another edition
4.0
Love Eve Ensler. While this book is emotionally charged, making it difficult to read at times, Ensler makes very important arguments against the emphasis on security in a post 9/11 U.S. The more we try to obtain it, the less we have.