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Letters to my Fanny
How much more fun in life could I have had if I'd just stopped worrying so much and stopped beating myself up?
In this book, Cherry reveals the things she wishes her mother had told her, through a series of hilarious anecdotes and excruciating confessions.
Each chapter opens with a letter to a different body part: 'Letters to my Fanny' covers sex, orgasms and periods; 'Letters to my Brain' covers education, memory and media; 'Letters to my Tummy' covers crop-tops, pregnancy and sit-ups.
This wonderfully warm, funny and candid book is a collection of hopeful dispatches from the frontline of girlhood - an impassioned plea to stop piling pressure on girls and young women and allow them to get on with their lives without having to mind the thigh gap . . .
In this book, Cherry reveals the things she wishes her mother had told her, through a series of hilarious anecdotes and excruciating confessions.
Each chapter opens with a letter to a different body part: 'Letters to my Fanny' covers sex, orgasms and periods; 'Letters to my Brain' covers education, memory and media; 'Letters to my Tummy' covers crop-tops, pregnancy and sit-ups.
This wonderfully warm, funny and candid book is a collection of hopeful dispatches from the frontline of girlhood - an impassioned plea to stop piling pressure on girls and young women and allow them to get on with their lives without having to mind the thigh gap . . .
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2015
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769 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 17, 2016
I'll start with the negatives: this book is not a series of letters to the author's fanny, or anybody's. It's been called that because it's commercial, which is cynical. Each chapter starts with Cherry's short letter to a body part - in one case only, her fanny - which is then followed by her experiences and opinions. And don't expect anything outside the UK - this really is Cherry's experience and opinions, so don't expect to learn anything asbout women's bodies in other countries or even in other eras. It's a snapshot, and contains research only in the media sense ("I talked to these people, so now I think this"). Add to this Cherry's women's magazine style of writing (she actually uses words like 'cray-cray'), and it's a bit wearing over a full volume. But then, who is actually going to read all of it, as I did? Don't read her suggested feminist reading list. It'll make you weep with despair.
There are, however, positives. Cherry is just so damn likeable. She's worked hard for her career in TV (I'd never heard of her, but then I don't watch much TV) and frankly, her piece on how she progressed in TV is probably more useful than any how-to book, for anyone who wants a screen media career. I'd recommend it for that. Then, most of what she says is engaging, honest, and pro-woman, when she isn't trying too hard to be like the godawful rape apologist Caitlyn Moran. Cherry has a gift for metaphor and could be a good writer if she were not so media-infested. She knows that womags are rubbish, but she still writes in their style. She could be writing good books. I hope that she does, some day. I like her; I respect her; the book isn't what I'd hoped for, nor what it said it was, but it's better than it might have been. I received it free on Goodreads, for which I am very grateful. I will pass it on to someone else, who may enjoy it more.
There are, however, positives. Cherry is just so damn likeable. She's worked hard for her career in TV (I'd never heard of her, but then I don't watch much TV) and frankly, her piece on how she progressed in TV is probably more useful than any how-to book, for anyone who wants a screen media career. I'd recommend it for that. Then, most of what she says is engaging, honest, and pro-woman, when she isn't trying too hard to be like the godawful rape apologist Caitlyn Moran. Cherry has a gift for metaphor and could be a good writer if she were not so media-infested. She knows that womags are rubbish, but she still writes in their style. She could be writing good books. I hope that she does, some day. I like her; I respect her; the book isn't what I'd hoped for, nor what it said it was, but it's better than it might have been. I received it free on Goodreads, for which I am very grateful. I will pass it on to someone else, who may enjoy it more.
April 11, 2020
Eg likte denne veldig godt! Vittig, personlig og eg kjem aldri til å sjå Disney på samme måte igjen.. 😳
May 5, 2016
Hilarious! So pleased to have won this book in a recent Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. It is so different from my preferred genres. Warm, honest and very heartfelt. Hope to read more books by this author.
February 27, 2019
I was gifted this book and I thought a book on body positivity while addressing the various parts of your body would be quite interesting. It most definitely was but I think the writing style and actual content of the letters/chapters was a slight let down.
I thought the idea of the book and how it was structured was fantastic but it felt like a slight let down regarding its delivery. Perhaps I was looking for something more insightful which in its own way it was since a lot of it was based on the author's experiences.
There were a number of things I could and could not relate to, which is fine, but there was something missing from it and I wish it hadn't been the case. Especially since I do enjoy books that address such important perspectives and ones that can contribute to a positive change among our communities.
I thought the idea of the book and how it was structured was fantastic but it felt like a slight let down regarding its delivery. Perhaps I was looking for something more insightful which in its own way it was since a lot of it was based on the author's experiences.
There were a number of things I could and could not relate to, which is fine, but there was something missing from it and I wish it hadn't been the case. Especially since I do enjoy books that address such important perspectives and ones that can contribute to a positive change among our communities.
February 11, 2018
Tgis was really more of a 2.5 star read but ive given it 3 not 2 because the ingentions of the book were good. It was an entry level body positivity feminist text that was fun and cute and easy to read althougg not mind blowing. Good read for young girls who are wnating to explore those areas.
April 22, 2016
I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.
I will cut to the ending. I finished this book with a smile on my face. I think I could end this review there but I do have a few more things to say.
I had heard the name of the author but I don't recall ever seeing her on screen. I have never been a great television watcher and I have worked most nights for the past 18 years. I may also have had her confused with another BBC3 presenter when I started this book. It happens as their names end in a similar sound. I am therefore reviewing (I originally used 'judging' there but I know reviewing sounds better) this book as a book of someone I am not familiar with.
It is one of the most honest books I have ever read. It goes into details I feel I should not have to know at times. I admire honesty in an author. It is also laugh out loud funny at times. I learned as much about Cherry as I have ever learned about any women and yet I still liked her throughout it all.
I am sure this book will be criticised for her use of 'new language' but I felt it fit the style of how she writes. Not every book needs to be Shakespearian in text (and I would probably have quit this one if it had been). She has lived her life and struggled with many things yet she has achieved a lot as well. I have a sense of admiration for her and I know her children will grow up to be people I could admire too.
The title of the book is there to grab attention. What the book actually does is to describe her life using various body parts as a starting point. I doubt this is an unique way of telling a story but it is effective in this case.
I would recommend this book as a perfect summer read. It could be enjoyed on the flight or on the beach. The author should also write more books as if she continues the level of honesty that is here she could have a second career which is equal to her first. I finished the book with a smile on my face. I very rarely do that.
I will cut to the ending. I finished this book with a smile on my face. I think I could end this review there but I do have a few more things to say.
I had heard the name of the author but I don't recall ever seeing her on screen. I have never been a great television watcher and I have worked most nights for the past 18 years. I may also have had her confused with another BBC3 presenter when I started this book. It happens as their names end in a similar sound. I am therefore reviewing (I originally used 'judging' there but I know reviewing sounds better) this book as a book of someone I am not familiar with.
It is one of the most honest books I have ever read. It goes into details I feel I should not have to know at times. I admire honesty in an author. It is also laugh out loud funny at times. I learned as much about Cherry as I have ever learned about any women and yet I still liked her throughout it all.
I am sure this book will be criticised for her use of 'new language' but I felt it fit the style of how she writes. Not every book needs to be Shakespearian in text (and I would probably have quit this one if it had been). She has lived her life and struggled with many things yet she has achieved a lot as well. I have a sense of admiration for her and I know her children will grow up to be people I could admire too.
The title of the book is there to grab attention. What the book actually does is to describe her life using various body parts as a starting point. I doubt this is an unique way of telling a story but it is effective in this case.
I would recommend this book as a perfect summer read. It could be enjoyed on the flight or on the beach. The author should also write more books as if she continues the level of honesty that is here she could have a second career which is equal to her first. I finished the book with a smile on my face. I very rarely do that.
January 15, 2021
A very basic book, can see how it could be good for young girls, or someone just getting into reading feminist literature, but wouldn’t recommend to someone for anything else. Very simply written and at times a quite boring. Sweet in places but overall a basic body positivity book with nothing really groundbreaking, not the best
July 17, 2018
Somewhat disappointing as I've always enjoyed Cherry's BBC Three documentaries. I felt as though this book was aimed at mums-to-be, which I am not. Also wrote in a way in which you'd expect a teenage magazine would. It was a very average read.
March 13, 2018
So bad I gave up reading til the end
August 20, 2021
I thought I would quite like this but I honestly found it a real chore to read and struggled right to the end. I didn’t find it entertaining like I should have.
June 4, 2017
If you want to start getting into self-love books, and just feminist loving books in general, I really would recommend this as a beginners book. I hadn't read many full on feminist books before, I only tried to read fantasy books hoping they had a badass feminist storyline towards it, but naturally, most of them have the typical storyline trope which isn't exactly what I have in mind.
To start with, this book has such an easy going writing style, it's really easy to blast through the whole book (262 pages to be precise). It's small but packed with such a bunch of loving messages to her body, it's hard not to start to think in the same positive attitude, even if it's only for a minute or until you finish the page.
As someone who is in their late teenage years, I fully feel the pressure and stress that comes with the media in portraying the 'perfect body' and the sadness when you realise you 'don't fit' with it. Well, this book encourages people to embrace their flaws and to turn them into something they love about themselves.
When you're just thinking about what you wish you could change about yourself, it's hard to think about what your body actually does do and what it has achieved in all the years you have been with it. This book does exactly that.
With no barriers into what is uncomfortable to talk about out loud to other people, Healey encourages people to talk more, to engage with their friends with discussions about what is natural and what everyone does. She promotes such a healthy lifestyle in opening up to people and cutting the stigma on topics such as periods or women masturbating. This is such a powerful book to read, and the language she uses really makes it easier to think you're just listening to a friend, and it really boosted the way I try to look at my body now, so when I do start feeling down, I try and list the positives about what my body can do. Not necessarily what it can't to or what it doesn't look like.
I really would rate this a 4.5/5, and I do recommend it to anyone who wants to understand and start loving themselves and to just learn that you are not alone with your thoughts and emotions, as everyone goes through this.
MarvellousReadsBlog
To start with, this book has such an easy going writing style, it's really easy to blast through the whole book (262 pages to be precise). It's small but packed with such a bunch of loving messages to her body, it's hard not to start to think in the same positive attitude, even if it's only for a minute or until you finish the page.
As someone who is in their late teenage years, I fully feel the pressure and stress that comes with the media in portraying the 'perfect body' and the sadness when you realise you 'don't fit' with it. Well, this book encourages people to embrace their flaws and to turn them into something they love about themselves.
When you're just thinking about what you wish you could change about yourself, it's hard to think about what your body actually does do and what it has achieved in all the years you have been with it. This book does exactly that.
With no barriers into what is uncomfortable to talk about out loud to other people, Healey encourages people to talk more, to engage with their friends with discussions about what is natural and what everyone does. She promotes such a healthy lifestyle in opening up to people and cutting the stigma on topics such as periods or women masturbating. This is such a powerful book to read, and the language she uses really makes it easier to think you're just listening to a friend, and it really boosted the way I try to look at my body now, so when I do start feeling down, I try and list the positives about what my body can do. Not necessarily what it can't to or what it doesn't look like.
I really would rate this a 4.5/5, and I do recommend it to anyone who wants to understand and start loving themselves and to just learn that you are not alone with your thoughts and emotions, as everyone goes through this.
MarvellousReadsBlog
May 1, 2020
I read this book with a smile constantly on my face! Don’t be put off by this title, the book is not just about Cherry’s female anatomy. It is actually a easy to read, light hearted account of a young woman embracing and accepting her body, every single part of it...warts and all! (Don’t worry, there is not any mention of such!) There were points that actually made me laugh out loud and others where I wanted to put my arms around Cherry and hug her massively. I was actually so impressed with the powerful message underling throughout the whole book, I allowed my teenage daughter to read it! I think this is a book that all young women need to read and many women of all ages can relate to in one way or another. The only reason why this did not get a full 5 star rating is because I don’t feel the title is necessary, and does not do it justice...however from a PR perspective I fully understand why it was used!
June 19, 2020
Oh gawd I really like Cherry Healey, and I LOVED the premise of this book but it wasn't quite as interesting or exciting as I'd expected. Maybe at 37, I'm not the target audience, maybe it'd be better if it was aimed at a YA audience. Most things she talked about I'd been through, but not in the "oh I'm glad I'm not alone" sense. More like "oh right, I think I'll skip to the next bit".
No revelations, no lessons, and it felt quite dated already with some of the content potentially being a bit problematic... Hints of fatphobia for example.
I persevered however, and I won't give up on the author but this one was not for me.
No revelations, no lessons, and it felt quite dated already with some of the content potentially being a bit problematic... Hints of fatphobia for example.
I persevered however, and I won't give up on the author but this one was not for me.
April 9, 2019
Letters to my Fanny by @cherryhealey .
What a refreshing, honest candid book. It such an easy read. It felt like your chatting to an old friend.
It's so down to earth- as I was reading it I found I was laughing/giggling as it was so true.
Its raw,honest, judgement free.
Highly recommended 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
#bookcommunity #bibliophile #bookshelf #bookstragrammer #bookaddicted #bookobsessed #booknerd #bookchoices #highlyrecommended #bookfullofgiggles #readerofinstagram #readinglover #ilovetoreadbooks #read #booksbooksandmorebooks #loveofbooks #lovetoread #letterstomyfanny
What a refreshing, honest candid book. It such an easy read. It felt like your chatting to an old friend.
It's so down to earth- as I was reading it I found I was laughing/giggling as it was so true.
Its raw,honest, judgement free.
Highly recommended 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
#bookcommunity #bibliophile #bookshelf #bookstragrammer #bookaddicted #bookobsessed #booknerd #bookchoices #highlyrecommended #bookfullofgiggles #readerofinstagram #readinglover #ilovetoreadbooks #read #booksbooksandmorebooks #loveofbooks #lovetoread #letterstomyfanny
February 13, 2020
I was curious to see what this book would say on the topic of feminism and a woman's body from her own perspective. It was interesting to find out more about the authors journey in to working at the BBC, as I have seen a lot of her work on TV. I do have to say that a lot of the book is just padding and rambles interspersed with jokes, but there are some interesting observations and it is written in a very human and relatable way. I would recommend this book to teenage girls, as I think that is the target audience and the ones most likely to get something from this book.
June 28, 2020
I had high expectations for this book... I wouldn't say it was a let down, it just didn't live up to my high expectations. I love Cherry in everything, I find her relatable and very likeable. This book just didn't hit the mark for me. Its taken me a while to finish it and it kind of felt like a chore towards the end. There are some interesting references which I've made a mental note to look up and some of her comments/insights were thought provoking, but, I'm glad I've finished it and can move on.
November 12, 2020
I have read "Letter to my Fanny" when certain expectations after reading the reviews here so I knew that it would be more then focusing on certain parts of body and that Cherry would also be focusing a lot on her personal experiences. I found the read pleasant and it reminded me in ways of "Everything I know about love" by Dolly Alderton.
Some of the things I did not enjoy was that I found certain parts at times repetitive and towards the end I felt that I didn't enjoy it as much but it can be me.
Some of the things I did not enjoy was that I found certain parts at times repetitive and towards the end I felt that I didn't enjoy it as much but it can be me.
August 2, 2017
Cherry Healey writes a true account of being a modern woman in the 21st century; Thoughts all women have not just mothers. She writes an almost autobiographical book with truth for the modern feminist and woman. Whilst considered a 'feminist' book on Kindle store this to me isn't the normal feminist book. Whilst discussing feminist issues and modern thoughts, it's written in a funny true-to-life way and with a humanness we can all relate to. A must read.
May 26, 2020
Jeg liker Cherry Healey, har alltid hatt sansen for henne og dokumentarene hennes. Ble selvfølgelig nysgjerrig da jeg så at hun hadde gitt ut bok. Letters to my Fanny har fått stått urørt i bokhylla i noen år, men nå var det endelig på tide å få lest den! Jeg likte den godt. Healey forteller humoristisk om ulike opplevelser hun har hatt, og temaene i boka er delt inn etter ulike kroppsdeler. Ikke alt var like interessant, men jevnt over en god bok med mange fine poeng.
January 18, 2020
I am so glad that this book exists. We need more honest accounts of women by women exploring and speaking candidly about what women experience and go through, even if it is subjective. The more subjective accounts we have the more we’ll be encouraged to look at stories and each other objectively.
This book did make me laugh, it’s refreshing.
This book did make me laugh, it’s refreshing.
June 5, 2021
This was a fun book and a nice, slightly different type of read.
However, it should definitely be called ‘Letters to my Body’. Additionally, I found lots of repetition about the same thing, which I suppose would happen if you wrote the book over a 6 year period, but the editors should have picked this up and cut the repeated bits out.
However, it should definitely be called ‘Letters to my Body’. Additionally, I found lots of repetition about the same thing, which I suppose would happen if you wrote the book over a 6 year period, but the editors should have picked this up and cut the repeated bits out.
March 6, 2019
A little bit cringe sometimes, but mostly just very refreshing!
Made me ponder and question why I do and feel certain things, and gave me some peace of mind that I'm not the only one that sometimes struggles with day to day life!
Would definitely recommend to older teenagers I think
Made me ponder and question why I do and feel certain things, and gave me some peace of mind that I'm not the only one that sometimes struggles with day to day life!
Would definitely recommend to older teenagers I think
April 22, 2019
Funny in parts but mostly just a crude autobiography. I don't know what I was expecting but I didn't feel I needed to know so explicitly about her sex life. However, there were a few LOL moments so worth a read.
November 3, 2019
Not what I thought it would be. I thought it would be some hilarious letters that she and others had written. However it was just an autobiography/ Cherrys opinions.
Still funny and a lot that we can relate to.
Still funny and a lot that we can relate to.
February 9, 2020
So Good! this book is both funny and poignant. what I loved about it is it feels conversational at no point does Healy put her views onto you , its an honest account of a 21st century woman. Healy is so funny and I truly loved reading this fun book.
April 19, 2020
I read this book right after 'Not that Kind of Girl' by Lena Durham, which I really enjoyed. This was a bit disappointing... Not particularly well written but with some nice insights and kind words directed to all humans, particularly women. Of all ages.
June 13, 2021
This was a good book, I think all women (especially young women) (and men if they like) should read this book. It has lots of things to make you think. It’s funny in some places, but then sometimes felt she was trying too hard to be funny
June 17, 2017
This is a hilarious, must read for everyone, women, men, your dog - it's fantastically funny, entirely relatable and beautifully honest.
July 23, 2017
Loved it! So funny! Every woman should read it!!
March 19, 2018
Thank you Cherry!
Read this book in three sittings and couldn't put it down. Very honest, funny and heart on her sleeve written.
Read this book in three sittings and couldn't put it down. Very honest, funny and heart on her sleeve written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews