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The History of Lesbian Hair by Mary Dugger
In The History of Lesbian Hair, Mary Dugger delivers an unrelentingly hilarious view of the modern world. The redoubtable Ms. D. offers an uproarious array of illustrated essays, diagrams, and short takes, subdivided into Life ("The Downside to Lesbian Chic," how to "Build Your Own Lesbian," "So You Want to Be a Straight Girl," and the ultimate definition of children - "pets with thumbs"), Liberty ("Far Right Trading Cards," the ethics of outing, and an irrefutable argument proving that if homosexuals really do make up only 1.5 percent of the population, then every gay person in Chicago spends an average of $13.11 on liquor every single day), and The Pursuit of Happiness (the birth of the indomitable alter ego Marie DuGuerre, and her ongoing search for love, romance, and a decent vacation).
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First published September 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 19, 2007
Terrible. It's supposed to be funny, but mostly it's just offensive -- no matter who you are.
She seems to think lesbianism is an exclusive clique with membership fees and a code of conduct.
She seems to think lesbianism is an exclusive clique with membership fees and a code of conduct.
August 31, 2017
Oh dear Ms. Duggar, this has to be one of the lousiest books that I have ever read! I was looking forward to reading this, as the blurb sings out loud and proud that this book was utterly fabulous and hilarious. The only thing that this book is is really, really shite.
I have never not finished a book and managed to finish this pile of festering dog turds. The author lets rip and belittles various groups of people. She says some terrible things and none of it is accurate or fair.
The book is horribly unfair and inaccurate in many situations. The cracks about Christian kids having to touch their dad's penis for their birthday - really???
Child abuse is not fucking funny under ANY circumstances!!! She also fat shames, body shames and is generally nasty and viscous.
The thing that pissed me off the most is her comment about bisexual girls. She said that "Bisexuality is merely a road trip for straight girls." What the F***? My bisexuality is no road trip for me. I am very settled with who I am and don't feel like some judgmental woman who has no clue what and who I am and what I do has the right to break down my sexuality.
I'm only giving this book one star as a negative star rating is not available.
I have never not finished a book and managed to finish this pile of festering dog turds. The author lets rip and belittles various groups of people. She says some terrible things and none of it is accurate or fair.
The book is horribly unfair and inaccurate in many situations. The cracks about Christian kids having to touch their dad's penis for their birthday - really???
Child abuse is not fucking funny under ANY circumstances!!! She also fat shames, body shames and is generally nasty and viscous.
The thing that pissed me off the most is her comment about bisexual girls. She said that "Bisexuality is merely a road trip for straight girls." What the F***? My bisexuality is no road trip for me. I am very settled with who I am and don't feel like some judgmental woman who has no clue what and who I am and what I do has the right to break down my sexuality.
I'm only giving this book one star as a negative star rating is not available.
March 1, 2024
Lmfao
August 13, 2009
The cover and title intrigued me but I was sorely disappointed. Being a lesbian does not give you the snarky wit entitlement to hate all other stereotypes dealing with their own issues. I'm sure the author spent many hours laughing at her hating but I was not amused (ok, there were times I chuckled a bit).
January 21, 2015
At first this was funny, and then it started getting mean and then downright offensive. When making fun of "breeders," the description for fundamentalist Christians included a propensity for children to touch Daddy's penis. Child abuse is not at all funny and accusing a group of people of it just because you don't like them is disgusting. (It wasn't even talking about priests.)
All straight girls have looks that are male identified. As if they are all so obsessed with men, they don't dress for themselves. And like no lesbians ever dress to impress other women.
Straight girls are Perky, Evil, Underemployed, or Fat.
There's a fine line between joking about stereotypes and the differences between mainstream and lesbian culture. Sometimes it can be laugh-out-loud hilarious. But other times it can just be mean and condescending.
As a sexual minority who laughs about herself all the time, I found this offensive to straight men and women, and even gay men.
All straight girls have looks that are male identified. As if they are all so obsessed with men, they don't dress for themselves. And like no lesbians ever dress to impress other women.
Straight girls are Perky, Evil, Underemployed, or Fat.
There's a fine line between joking about stereotypes and the differences between mainstream and lesbian culture. Sometimes it can be laugh-out-loud hilarious. But other times it can just be mean and condescending.
As a sexual minority who laughs about herself all the time, I found this offensive to straight men and women, and even gay men.
March 4, 2019
This was a terrible book . . . full of anti-fat, anti-bisexual, misogynistic, racist tropes (she uses variations of the n-word twice). Full of stereotypes about lesbians and gay people, too. The only thing I liked was the Far-Right criticisms, but she even managed to fuck that up by trying to make a joke out of child molestation. Not funny. So yeah, skip this one. I was intrigued by the cover pic and thought it'd be cute and funny, but no. Of course, once started I had to finish it (the completionist in me.) Plus I wanted to write a scathing review.
September 18, 2010
Hilarious book. My daughter gave me this quick, funny book to read. If you're not homophobic I bet you would like it too. If this author writes anything else, I'm going to read it.
October 28, 2010
LOVED THE COVER, SO THREE STARS BECAUSE I FINISHED IT.
June 2, 2013
Wow this book is a nineties time capsule. Sort of amusing, I guess, but more often feeds into stereotypes of all persuasions and I just don't find a lor of humor in that.
Read
August 31, 2025* The book is a satirical collection of essays and commentary that uses humor to explore lesbian identity and community through the lens of cultural stereotypes, particularly around hair.
* Dugger focuses on the social significance of hairstyles within lesbian culture, treating them as coded symbols that signal identity, belonging, or rebellion.
* The essays parody academic writing, presenting “scholarly” investigations of mullets, buzz cuts, long hair, and other styles as though they were artifacts of deep cultural importance.
* Concrete examples include humorous breakdowns of haircuts associated with different “types” of lesbians, such as sporty, intellectual, radical, or femme.
* Dugger highlights how hairstyle choices can influence social perception within the lesbian community, both affirming identity and sometimes reinforcing divisions or stereotypes.
* Alongside hair, the book broadens its satirical scope to examine other aspects of lesbian culture: softball, vegetarianism, activism, U-Haul jokes, and community rituals.
* The humor frequently plays on insider knowledge, creating a sense of recognition and camaraderie for queer readers while also poking fun at the seriousness with which cultural signals are sometimes treated.
* The collection underscores the absurdity of rigid stereotypes while still celebrating the uniqueness of lesbian culture and history.
---
### Tone and Writing Style
* **Tone:** Satirical, witty, irreverent, and playful.
* **Style:** Parodic and conversational, blending mock-academic analysis with comedic exaggeration.
* **Support for Content:** The humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach deflates stereotypes and invites readers to laugh at cultural clichés, while also affirming a shared sense of community and resilience through humor.
---
### Author’s Qualifications
* **Mary Dugger** is a writer and humorist with deep ties to lesbian and feminist publishing.
* She has contributed to independent queer and feminist presses, situating her within the cultural circles she parodies.
* Dugger’s insider perspective as a lesbian writer allows her to both critique and celebrate community stereotypes with authenticity.
* Her literary background in satire and cultural commentary enhances the effectiveness of *The History of Lesbian Hair*, using humor as a lens to explore identity and belonging.
* Dugger focuses on the social significance of hairstyles within lesbian culture, treating them as coded symbols that signal identity, belonging, or rebellion.
* The essays parody academic writing, presenting “scholarly” investigations of mullets, buzz cuts, long hair, and other styles as though they were artifacts of deep cultural importance.
* Concrete examples include humorous breakdowns of haircuts associated with different “types” of lesbians, such as sporty, intellectual, radical, or femme.
* Dugger highlights how hairstyle choices can influence social perception within the lesbian community, both affirming identity and sometimes reinforcing divisions or stereotypes.
* Alongside hair, the book broadens its satirical scope to examine other aspects of lesbian culture: softball, vegetarianism, activism, U-Haul jokes, and community rituals.
* The humor frequently plays on insider knowledge, creating a sense of recognition and camaraderie for queer readers while also poking fun at the seriousness with which cultural signals are sometimes treated.
* The collection underscores the absurdity of rigid stereotypes while still celebrating the uniqueness of lesbian culture and history.
---
### Tone and Writing Style
* **Tone:** Satirical, witty, irreverent, and playful.
* **Style:** Parodic and conversational, blending mock-academic analysis with comedic exaggeration.
* **Support for Content:** The humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach deflates stereotypes and invites readers to laugh at cultural clichés, while also affirming a shared sense of community and resilience through humor.
---
### Author’s Qualifications
* **Mary Dugger** is a writer and humorist with deep ties to lesbian and feminist publishing.
* She has contributed to independent queer and feminist presses, situating her within the cultural circles she parodies.
* Dugger’s insider perspective as a lesbian writer allows her to both critique and celebrate community stereotypes with authenticity.
* Her literary background in satire and cultural commentary enhances the effectiveness of *The History of Lesbian Hair*, using humor as a lens to explore identity and belonging.
August 7, 2021
Unfunny and incredibly outdated, there's also frequent use of slurs that the author has no authority to reclaim
October 10, 2022
Absolutely cursed vibes, so glad I get to be a big ole lesbian now and not in the 90's, because if this was the humour.... Nah.
September 17, 2024
was supposed to be funny but i didn’t laugh
September 8, 2025
Noo. I was expecting some good old representation, this was sooooo boring.
December 13, 2024
Hilarious. A fun, light read.
Had me laughing out loud throughout.
Had me laughing out loud throughout.
July 28, 2019
Lesbianism in pie charts and bar graphs!!
Terribly funny, and incredibly stereotypical.
Terribly funny, and incredibly stereotypical.
Read
December 5, 2008Tales of a bent life in a straight world.
October 26, 2011
This book was reputed to be very funny, but I did not find it so. Perhaps it is because I am straight, but much of the humour wooshed straight over my head.
Read
April 8, 2016818.5409 D8669 1996
January 12, 2008
Quick fun read. Was hoping it'd be better than it was.
abandonned
December 20, 2016pretty dumb
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews