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Bearded Lady
by
Mara Altman (Goodreads Author)
Mara Altman, author of the bestselling Kindle Single "Sparkle," returns to top comic form to address the problem every woman faces but no woman wants to acknowledge: facial and body hair. Her brave, witty memoir gives readers a rare, honest glimpse into the hidden world of lasers and razors. It begins in childhood, when Altman discovers that hair sometimes grows in unexpec...more
Kindle Edition, 46 pages
Published
March 7th 2012
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Kindle Single - a pretty hilarious look at the fact that we're all in denial about our little bits of facial hair. As a girl w/ PCOS who's battled through allllll the treatments that are out there since I was 15 or so, I could so relate (meds? plucking? electrolysis? waxing? laser?), but I love the fact that her whole point was that we should just get over ourselves and admit that it's NORMAL. We all have some weird, and it's cool if we want it to go away, but the fact that we're all hiding in c...more
When I saw this, I couldn't believe it. A memoir about body hair? This was obviously written for me.
This short read is about Mara Altman's struggle with accepting her body hair. I feel you Mara. It's been a struggle.
I have a huge problem with hair. Society can kiss my ass, because I don't bow down to social norms, or more appropriately, kiss hairy legs. But oh, when I was younger, being hairy was the end of the world. Seriously. I used to hide my legs.
It was a pretty interesting read, and all...more
This short read is about Mara Altman's struggle with accepting her body hair. I feel you Mara. It's been a struggle.
I have a huge problem with hair. Society can kiss my ass, because I don't bow down to social norms, or more appropriately, kiss hairy legs. But oh, when I was younger, being hairy was the end of the world. Seriously. I used to hide my legs.
It was a pretty interesting read, and all...more
Very interesting subject matter. Women's body hair removal has always been a heated topic for me. And I love reading about other women who question it as well. This little "Kindle Short" just barely dipped its hairy toe into the pool of the whole issue. So, it didn't give me much information I didn't already know, but it made me think a little bit with the info it gave and ideas it posed. Also, it was VERY poorly edited, which drives me insane. So, all in all, this little short fed my interest i...more
I had been wanting to read this story for a long while. It had been staring at me in my amazon wish list for so long that I decided to finally purchase it and give it a try. I'm so happy I did! What a funny, true account of hair. As women, we are expected to conform in certain ways even if our beauty does not fit the narrow definition provided to us. It is so silly to be so extremely paranoid about our hair, and then on top of that, to be so judgmental of other people's hair! Everyone has hair!...more
Kind of cute, though very short. (Which, depending on how you look at it, might be a good thing.)
It examines women's obsession with the odd little hairs over our bodies and why our gender feels they have to spend so much on eliminating them. A few spots had me at least nodding, but overall glad it wasn't terribly expensive. Whatever humor faded away rather quickly leaving it more or less a good "in-between book" while I decided what novel to read next.
It examines women's obsession with the odd little hairs over our bodies and why our gender feels they have to spend so much on eliminating them. A few spots had me at least nodding, but overall glad it wasn't terribly expensive. Whatever humor faded away rather quickly leaving it more or less a good "in-between book" while I decided what novel to read next.
I found myself looking in the mirror for facial hair and plucking. The book was interesting concerning the history of when women started shaving legs, underarms, etc. I grew up with a Mom who did not shave and I remeber feeling very embarrassed. After a divorce she started shaving in her forties.
I did like the end of this book when the author told her boyfriend about her hair issues. Like he says : What is the problem ... It is only hair.
I did like the end of this book when the author told her boyfriend about her hair issues. Like he says : What is the problem ... It is only hair.
A quick read in the format of a kindle single, Altman wrote a very funny little book about the traumas of body hair from the viewpoint of an American girl. The book follows her through coming of age and realizing what body hair is and it's place (or absence of place) in society. What follows is a hysterical account of body hair removal and acceptance that will keep you laughing the whole time.
okay read. sometimes funny. but a lot of stuff talked about in her quest to understand the societal disapproval of hair comes across as mostly speculation or unsubstantiated theories - neoteny, patriarchal suppression of women etc. another perspective about a specific insecurity but doesn't really add anything either as to origin or handling it.
I am going to the grocery store for at home wax kits as soon as I get out of work... That aside, I was supposed to only read this during my lunch hour, needless to say its 2 hours later, i couldn't put it down, mostly because I was hoping for the answer to the ultimate question, at what point can I just let it all go?
While there was no absolute answer to the question, when can I just let all my body hairs hang out? Altman presents our womanly obsession with smooth skin in a funny, off-kilter kind of way that I really enjoyed.
I especially liked her interview with beauty editor, Cindy Barshop. It did a good job in pointing out our unrealistic views of beauty that we put upon ourselves, and is perpetuated by society. Also, did you know women used to irradiate themselves to remove unwanted hair? That kind of fre...more
I especially liked her interview with beauty editor, Cindy Barshop. It did a good job in pointing out our unrealistic views of beauty that we put upon ourselves, and is perpetuated by society. Also, did you know women used to irradiate themselves to remove unwanted hair? That kind of fre...more
Witty and fun look into our obsession with hairless women. Altman takes the reader on a post-pubescent journey through her battle with hair in unwanted places. Made me want to wax and not shave my legs on one page, and grow out my armpit hair on another. Fun, quick, and light-hearted!
Altman has a very funny way of talking about her subject. On the one hand, women don't want to talk about body hair. On the other hand, it's a relief to hear another woman talk about the challenges of being a woman in such a plasticized society.
Quick read but I didn't think it was funny at all. A lot of reviews I read said it was funny. Anyway, I was able to relate to this book as I'm sure a lot of women are so it was good to read about someone else's experiences being a "hairy beast".
Kindle single. Two bucks. The topic seemed funny and endearing, which it was. Some parts, like the opening story, made me LOL but other parts were just so so. 46 pages, and worth reading, even if not life-changing or entirely memorable.
Oh dear heavens. This was a delight. Witty, interesting and so full of win. I completely related to everything the author had to say about how women view their 'hairiness'.
This was a quick, fun read and totally awesome.
This was a quick, fun read and totally awesome.
High-larious. Laughed out loud. Snorted all as my husband looked at me like I was a crazy person. I kept thinking that Mara was in my head...writing down my own perils of being a wookie in a hairless-obsessed society.
I could so relate! I hate that I am a hairy chick...well not half as hairy like she describes herself to be and that's probably because I am half Thai. If you read the book, you'll get what I am saying.
I loved reading this book. Yes, as a girl, I do shave, and I do it because I didn't want to be remarked as hairy or dirty. She said some things some girls would not like to admit and in such good humour.
A funny, quick read. Decent value for your Kindle Single investment. Many (all?) women would appreciate this book, where she breaks the silence of the ongoing efforts women put forth to stay hair-less.
hilarious history of one brave lady's struggle with her follicles. I had no idea that an entire book could be written on this topic and continue to strike home and make me belly laugh over and over.
Unless you could be considered the "Bearded Lady" (which I can!), you probably wouldn't like this book. However, if you know someone who is and wish to sympathize, this book is for you.
Funny in the beginning, then she goes anthropological and tries to figure out why we have hair, the history of hair removal, and if the desire to be hairless is normal.
...what does it say about me that I immediately went and plucked my eyebrows after reading this? But a thoughtful read for the hair-conscious as summer draws nigh
Heelarious book! I totally laughed out loud more than once and thought," That's exactly the same reaction I have had/ would have!"
There is swearing in the book as well, though.
There is swearing in the book as well, though.
Mara Altman is very, very funny. And any woman who has ever dealt with hair that grows anywhere besides her head will totally relate to Altman's struggles.
Very good book (essay?) rec to me by my sister. Funny, interesting and comforting too. Provides a unique perspective on female grooming I think lots of women should read this book. Maybe all women...
Pretty funny. She brings humor to the fact that we all have body hair, yet at the same time all seem to find it embarrassing and socially unacceptable. A quick funny read.
Hilarious and oh so true. Any girl with more than a few stray hairs can easily relate. Comforting to know we are just NORMAL.
Very funny, quick read about how women deal with their body hair. Crazy topic, made me laugh out loud in a couple of spots.
really good, a book about our imperfections and how we make them into issues and the people love us for who we are
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Jan 19, 2013 07:53am