Monday, September 1, 2014

How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran

I have a weakness for memoirs, especially the sassy, candid kind, so it was a given that this one would cross my path and I would be compelled to pick it up. When reading something so personal, though, I try to leave my judgement at the door and just read for the pleasure of being inside someone else's experience and thoughts for a while. But I did eventually find her frankness grating. As much as I appreciate candid discourse, hers approached TMI territory. The older I get, I guess, the less tolerant I am for such overt transperancy. Some things are just better left to the imagination. Part autobiography, part social commentary, it was for the most part an enjoyable and funny read.


(back cover)
There's never been a better time to be a woman: we have the vote and the Pill, and we haven't been burnt as witches since 1727. However, a few nagging questions do remain...
Why are we supposed to get Brazillians? Should we use Botox? Do men hate us? What should you call your vagina? Why does your bra hurt? And why does everyone ask you when you're going to have a baby? 
Part memoir, part rant, Caitlin Moran answers these questions and more in How To Be A Woman - following her from her 13th birthday (I am 13 stone, have no friends, and boys throw gravel at me when they see me) through adolescence, the workplace, strip-clubs, love, being fat, abortion, TopShop, motherhood and beyond.




5 comments:

Connie said...

I haven't read this, but I think I would probably feel the same way about it. I enjoy frankness to a point, but intimate details can be more than I want to know sometimes.

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

I can't believe I've not read this one yet. I just finished her new novel, How To Build A Girl, which I enjoyed very much. Must look into getting this one!

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

I can't believe I've not read this one yet. I just finished her new novel, How To Build A Girl, which I enjoyed very much. Must look into getting this one!

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

I think I'm going to pass on this one! Thanks for the honest review!