From the Bookshelf of Our Shared Shelf - NYC…

How to Be a Woman

Caitlin Moran

Start date: April 1, 2016

Finish date: April 30, 2016

Discussion: April: How to Be a Woman

Why we're reading this: April Book!
[close] April Book!

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 1 of 1 topics — 38 comments total

April: How to Be a Woman

Meetup
By Barbara · 28 posts · 29 views

last updated May 21, 2016 08:44PM

What Members Thought

Mar 21, 2016 Kressel Housman rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir, our-shared-shelf

I read this because it was Emma Watson's April pick for her feminist book club, but like with bell hooks, author of her March pick, my preview of the author was negative - so negative, in fact, I almost sat this month out. What changed my mind was the second preview, so I might as well explain both before I get to the book itself.

Both previews were posted in the group, which is called Our Shared Shelf or OSS. The first was an article of Moran's in some popular British magazine that showcased her I read this because it was Emma Watson's April pick for her feminist book club, but like with bell hooks, author of her March pick, my preview of the author was negative - so negative, in fact, I almost sat this month out. What changed my mind was the second preview, so I might as well explain both before I get to the book itself.

Both previews were posted in the group, which is called Our Shared Shelf or OSS. The first was an article of Moran's in some popular British magazine that showcased her signature style. Rather like an African American comedian who might use the n-word to poke fun at the stereotype and "take it back," Moran is one of those feminists who feels that she has the right to be as crude as any man. That seems to have broad appeal with a whole lot of people, but since joining OSS, I've taken to calling myself a "conservative feminist." I don't like vulgar language from anybody, even though I'll admit that sometimes, it makes me laugh. George Carlin has made me laugh. So has "Family Guy." And Moran got some laughs out of me, too, but in all cases, I laughed in spite of myself.

"Okay," I thought. "I'm skipping this month. The History Book Club has plenty going on anyway."

Then came the second preview: a video message from Moran to all teenage girls. And she nailed it. She addressed the low self-esteem that results from realizing you're not beautiful and all the dysfunctional behaviors that can go with it: cutting, anorexia, overeating. It's a loving message to girls everywhere. I admire her for it.

The book embodies that dichotomy precisely. Sometimes it's vulgar, but sometimes it's uplifting. I'd give her 5 stars for a few of her quotes about motherhood and self-esteem, both of which came in the end. She's got a soul-baring chapter on abortion that's really powerful, and her chapter on overeating was so good, I read it aloud to my husband, who is also an overeater. But I would NEVER recommend the whole book to him. The first few chapters on puberty and her family life are completely inappropriate for a frum man, and parts of them were a turn-off for me, too.

So that's my warning, frum friends. Caitlin Moran has an engaging, conversational style, and her book is never boring. Sometimes it's insightful, and sometimes it's funny. But sometimes, it's just plain crude.

...more

4 likes · Like · see review