Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress
by Susan Jane Gilman
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1361)
For those who've yet to read it, the book can be divided into roughly three [unequal] parts: childhood, high school/college and Susan-as-an-adult. The first part was the best for me - perfect mix of funny and sad, just like a good sweet-and-sour sauce should be. The second section is shorter than the others, which is a good thing.
High school pretty much consists of a looooooooong riff on virginity, with a drawn-out celebrity stalking adventure thrown in. Her college years are covered by one a...more
High school pretty much consists of a looooooooong riff on virginity, with a drawn-out celebrity stalking adventure thrown in. Her college years are covered by one a...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Brittany by:
Sarahrecommends it for: Fans of Chuck Klosterman
How I Came To Read This Book: My friend Sarah lent me this book - I believe she randomly picked it up at a book sale.
The Plot: The book is a memoir, very similar to Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs, in that Gilman writes essays on various aspects of her life, culture, and thoughts. Gilman's stories are generally more autobiographical, while Klosterman's are more external/focused on pop culture dissection. The most interesting chapters were probably those on her summer job, obs...more
The Plot: The book is a memoir, very similar to Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs, in that Gilman writes essays on various aspects of her life, culture, and thoughts. Gilman's stories are generally more autobiographical, while Klosterman's are more external/focused on pop culture dissection. The most interesting chapters were probably those on her summer job, obs...more
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To sum in a sentence, this is a memoir book and it’s pretty snazzy. To me, memoirs don’t seem like the best thing to read. It really depends on the person. After reading this one though, I felt like I had been sitting down with the author and she had been telling me little snippets and stories of her life, just like you usually do with friends, families and new acquaintances. She’s got some pretty off the wall stories and has led an interesting life – probably a good thing if you’re go...more
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Read in August, 2005
I don’t get to do much “leisure reading,” but I’m a sucker for a great cover. When I saw the little blond scowling girl dressed in a tutu, tiara, fairy wings, striped stockings, and combat boots (and of course carrying a “magic” star wand) I smiled and was intrigued. Since I felt the same way after I read a page, I got it out of the library.
The best thing I noticed was Gilman’s writing style – it’s very conversational while still using “big” words and sophisticated phr...more
The best thing I noticed was Gilman’s writing style – it’s very conversational while still using “big” words and sophisticated phr...more
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Read in August, 2005
"Hypocrite" is a Little Harsh
There's an undeniable trend in memoirs and in first-person memoir-like novels by, about and usually for women where the flavor is more than a little self-deprecating. (Think Brigit Jones Diary). In some work this blatant self-loathing can seem contrived, peppered in to hide the flavor of an otherwise arrogant, irreverent, and self-absorbed protagonist; however, while Susan Jane Gilman can come across as all of the above in her memoir, `Hypoc...more
There's an undeniable trend in memoirs and in first-person memoir-like novels by, about and usually for women where the flavor is more than a little self-deprecating. (Think Brigit Jones Diary). In some work this blatant self-loathing can seem contrived, peppered in to hide the flavor of an otherwise arrogant, irreverent, and self-absorbed protagonist; however, while Susan Jane Gilman can come across as all of the above in her memoir, `Hypoc...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Amanda by:
Neighborhood book club
There is a quote on the back of this book that "If you don't absolutly love this book, you are simply dead inside"...I'm going to keep reading but I'm a little worried I might be dead because I am a LONG way from loving it. Right off the bat, I am totally annoyed because how in the world is this person remembering things from when she is four... and why is retelling her story as though the girls in her 1st grade class are straight out of the movie Mean Girls. It might be the way she re...more
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Read in January, 2004
A story about a woman who's parents divorced later in life. I really related since my parents got divorced after being married for more than 30 years. She writes really well with a lot of humor. Good for anyone who's parents are divorced.
My favorite part of the whole book is when she finds out her parents are getting divorced.
"By waiting until we were grown, our parents had spared us a serial nightmare: the custody battles, the court appearances, the anxiety over whether child sup...more
My favorite part of the whole book is when she finds out her parents are getting divorced.
"By waiting until we were grown, our parents had spared us a serial nightmare: the custody battles, the court appearances, the anxiety over whether child sup...more
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I'm a bit torn as to how to rate this one. I thought most of it was Okay/Humorous, but the chapter on Wedding Dress Shopping was one of the funniest things I've ever read! I have a knack for reading things that end up reflecting events in my own life. Not long after reading this, I got engaged and probably turned into the girl that won't leave David's Bridal because of "THE Dress".
Though I'm not nearly as liberal as the author, I appreciated her writing style and story-telling...more
Though I'm not nearly as liberal as the author, I appreciated her writing style and story-telling...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
EVERYONE ON EARTH
I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this book. It was a completely satisfying sequel to her first, Kiss My Tiara, and I related to it in a million fabulous ways. I even found an email address for the Author online and had a breif, and extremely fulfilling correspondence with her! A LOVELY woman, and a wonderfully emotive author. Not only does she provide descriptions of her surroundings that are so good you feel as though you REALL GET IT, but you truly feel as though you understand ...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone!!!
yet another memoir of sorts... but this one is inspirational and simply hysterical.
we follow a young woman realizing her identity and also coming to terms with her slightly off kilter family and her specific expectations from the world.
i have given this book to.. my mother, my sister, my friend danielle and a coworker mike... they have all loved it and even become inspired by it.
if you're in the mood to laugh out loud, here's a book that will have you cryin'!! david sedaris meets august...more
we follow a young woman realizing her identity and also coming to terms with her slightly off kilter family and her specific expectations from the world.
i have given this book to.. my mother, my sister, my friend danielle and a coworker mike... they have all loved it and even become inspired by it.
if you're in the mood to laugh out loud, here's a book that will have you cryin'!! david sedaris meets august...more
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
Melissa
After digging through the pile by my bed of recommended reading, I hit the jackpot with Hypocrite In A White Pouffy Dress: Tales Of Growing Up Groovy and Clueless by Susan Jane Gilman. I loved, loved, loved every minute of this read. She is such the feminist of my generation. Such a voice of sexual, girl, woman reason and revolution. Maybe it’s the first time I’ve ever read something that was written by someone of my generation about growing up. And even though I didn’t grow up in NYC, I l...more
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Read in April, 2007
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress is my latest book club selection. It was a fairly standard chick-lit memoir. Sure, it was funny and entertaining, and I could relate to being such a misfit in school. (Especially as a secularly raised girl attending a religious school during formative years.)
It was, though, a little too relatable, maybe. I think if I'm going to read a memoir, I'd like to read one by someone who has done something really interesting. In fact, I almost decided to swear off readi...more
It was, though, a little too relatable, maybe. I think if I'm going to read a memoir, I'd like to read one by someone who has done something really interesting. In fact, I almost decided to swear off readi...more
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Read in March, 2006
Hilarious and touching and thoughtful. Gilman's memoir covers pieces of the same historical time frame as Caldwell's but feels complete different (in a great way, in the way two people are completely different but are both spectacular writers). Favorite funniness centers around Gilman and her husband, the Amazing Bob, moving to Geneva, Switzerland and trying to navigate this adventure with Gilman's rusty grasp of French. Her rough translations back into English are hilarious. She's not just funn...more
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
people who were dorky, weird kids
like a female david sedaris or augusten burroughs, gilman's collection of essays are absolutely hysterical, incredibly poignant, and an absolute must-read for anyone who grew up the least bit awkward, artistic or weird (right there with ya, susan).
i love this book. i love this author. i love her quirky family and her embarasing stories of her childhood.
p.s. if you are jewish, which i am not, i imagine it would be even funnier, if that's even possible.
i love this book. i love this author. i love her quirky family and her embarasing stories of her childhood.
p.s. if you are jewish, which i am not, i imagine it would be even funnier, if that's even possible.
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Read in April, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who loves hippies
well, here were go again. i am again not compelled. it is funny at times. i thought it would be funnier. mostly, i think that this book is going to get better. right now the girl is only 13. the premise of the story is that this woman grows up on a hippie commune during the 70's. she is taught to not think conventionally. and thus, she does not believe in the institution of marriage. then she suddenly falls in love and finds herself planning her wedding. i am only at age 13. it has been pretty a...more
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Read in March, 2008
It was a nice read! She was light-hearted with a touch of seriousness every now and then, and there were even parts that made me laugh out loud. I definately would read something by her, again. In fact, I want to read, Kiss My Tiara, now.
The only thing that annoyed me was the constant use of the F-Bomb. (I know. Proceed with rolling your eyes.) I just think the book would have read just as well without it all.
The David's Bridal chapter-- hysterical. As well as the last chapter, ...more
The only thing that annoyed me was the constant use of the F-Bomb. (I know. Proceed with rolling your eyes.) I just think the book would have read just as well without it all.
The David's Bridal chapter-- hysterical. As well as the last chapter, ...more
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Read in September, 2005
recommends it for:
Light Read
It was okay, another quirky memoir. Here is a memorable line: When her brother asks their dad why their Jewish family celebrates Christmas, she doesn't miss a beat: " 'Because your grandmother's a Communist and your mother loves parties,' said my father. 'Now eat your supper.' " Lots o’Jewish humor and “what am I doing with my life” sort of thing. Nice, charming book that you’ll probably forget all about after you read it. Book #35 of my 2005 Book List, finished reading it...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
This book was amazing. The subtitle, which happens to accurately sum up the book is: tales of growing up groovy and clueless. It a memoir/coming of age story. All kinds of great anecdotes of having hippy parents and taking yourself too seriously as a young adult and dealing with the constant struggle of being a feminist. SO MANY of her insightful comments left me thinking, 'hey thats exactly what i think about!' In short, I think everyone in the entire workd should read this book.
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Read in May, 2007
OK, so it's nearly chick-lit, but the author makes a note of why her book differs from that genre. This collection of vignettes from Gilman's life is hilarious and really rings true for anyone who's ever been an emotional wreck of a teenaged girl (seriously, the details that only we girls endure, as reported by Gilman, brought back a lot of memories--good ones, depsite the turmoil). The last story really hit home with me...who knew you could have an epiphany at David's Bridal?
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Read in April, 2008
Really entertaining memoir. Susan Gilman experienced it all, including early-hippie-dom (not by choice, mostly through her family), a crush on Mick Jagger, working for a Jewish publication when she herself wasn't a religious Jew, searching for the right guy when it seemed a lot of guys were just interested in her boobs. There is truly something for everyone. You read it and she reminds you of someone you might know. ;-) A fast read and a really fun one.
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