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daniellecowles's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, a great collection of stories that demonstrate the sexual objectification of the author from a young age. There isn't a traditional story arch but I still was struck by much of what Valenti writes as poignant and expressly true about the experience of being female. A worthy read.
emmabeckman's review against another edition
4.0
While I agree with many reviewers that this memoir seemed to lack a cohesive story line, I would still recommend this book to literally everyone I know. For me as a woman, this book was a real eye into another woman's experience which was vastly different from my own, but no less plausible in human society. As a woman, I knew that no matter what the atrocities were that Valenti has faced, they were true because that is just what it is to be a woman (especially in America, but also overall). This memoir was eye opening for me because my experience growing up in my hometown is so unlike Valenti's. But it was also reaffirming what I know to be true regardless: women suffer in this society. I would definitely include this on a list of must-reads for today's youth (as someone who just graduated from college, I would make all of my friends--as well as every man who has treated me like shit--read this book).
nplunkie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This book covers a lot of very heavy and serious topics in a raw and confronting way. The author does not sugarcoat any element of the wide but dark topics covered. For me I found it hard to follow at times due to the jumps in time and stories but I still think it was a worthwhile book to read and would be interested in reading other books from this author to see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape
annex0000's review against another edition
2.0
as i read i thought, “what is the message here?” I couldn’t identify one other than “women have it rough.” This book has it all: rape, pedophilia, sexual harassment. Sad stuff but I read the whole thing
np24's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Some interesting commentary, but I guess I was expecting it to be more like essay style where this was more memoir style. The notes that the author reads out at the end do really drive the point home though and tie the book up pretty nicely.
alexandriammans's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic, crude, thought-provoking and gut-wrenching. Not for the faint of heart.
izasballad's review against another edition
4.0
very raw and uncomfortable to read, but it perfectly captures what women has to go through in their everyday lives. as a book, i think it's a bit disjointed; felt more like reading a stream of consciousness or a collection of essays rather than a memoir. loved the theme tho, and i still think people should still give it a try.
cathyj625's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
1.0
I really, really, really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get there. There was a lot of it that was focused on her drug use and dating life…which I think is more about how she saw herself than how the world saw her. It’s also heavily focused on experiences in New York City…so if that isn’t your context, it doesn’t mean much.
On top of that, frankly, the writing is just awful. It’s hard to follow, jumps around, and what she’s referring to halfway through a sentence seems to switch gears. There were a few gems about what it would be to live in a world that doesn’t hate women, but it really go much further than that.
I’m all for feminism. I wanted to like this book. And I couldn’t get there. This was a 50¢ book that I got through the library book sale. And, frankly, it was 50¢ too much. Thankfully it’s a fast read, so the time I won’t get back wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
On top of that, frankly, the writing is just awful. It’s hard to follow, jumps around, and what she’s referring to halfway through a sentence seems to switch gears. There were a few gems about what it would be to live in a world that doesn’t hate women, but it really go much further than that.
I’m all for feminism. I wanted to like this book. And I couldn’t get there. This was a 50¢ book that I got through the library book sale. And, frankly, it was 50¢ too much. Thankfully it’s a fast read, so the time I won’t get back wasn’t as bad as it could have been.