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lindca's review against another edition
2.0
I read through this book with all the enthusiasm of one of Sasha's less exciting amorous encounters, going through the motions and mostly just glad when it was over.
I know the story was supposed to be some kind of feminist statement, and the parts of the book showing how women's options often were limited and emphasis placed on landing a husband in the mid-twentieth century were welcome reminders of how much has changed over the past couple generations. Even so, Sasha's relentless self-absorption along with a wide streak of self-destructiveness made me care less about her troubles as they too often were self-inflicted.
Still, I made it through until the end, demonstrating more focus and commitment than Sasha did for most of the story.
I know the story was supposed to be some kind of feminist statement, and the parts of the book showing how women's options often were limited and emphasis placed on landing a husband in the mid-twentieth century were welcome reminders of how much has changed over the past couple generations. Even so, Sasha's relentless self-absorption along with a wide streak of self-destructiveness made me care less about her troubles as they too often were self-inflicted.
Still, I made it through until the end, demonstrating more focus and commitment than Sasha did for most of the story.
mialouise26's review against another edition
dark
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
carlyque's review against another edition
4.0
Did I read twenty years ago...I enjoyed, even if her "freedom" quest seemed more limited than one might hope for.
astridandlouise's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Serpent's Tail via NetGalley.
Set in the 5os-60s we follow the life of Sasha as she navigates her life amidst men that feel entitled to her, men that feel superior to her and men that believe they deserve more than her purely due to their gender. As a woman I recognised the harassment she faced and the discrimination she encountered, even the delicately entwined experiences she faced that perhaps aren't blindingly obvious to all who read the book.
I feel conflicted writing this review as I understand the importance of this book, yet I also didn't feel a connection to or even like Sasha at certain points in the narrative. I grappled with a young white female character who lived with an abundance of privilege trying to wrestle with the unfairness of being a woman in a world catered to men. We've become much more educated and empathetic to so many issues around us since this book was written, so I feel my opinion is quite skewed in comparison to what readers thought and loved about this book upon its release back in the 70s. Yes, what she encountered was something no woman should ever have to experience, yet at the same time she got to experience so much (travel, education etc.) due to her social standing and the colour of her skin. Unfortunately there are still too many circumstances of what Sasha experienced unfolding in our world today. Regardless of how far we believe we have advanced, it's always wise to reflect on how much further we still have to go and to not become complacent. Definitely an important book for it's generation, the era in which it was written and a memoir that has become an influential building block for female writers and commentators who came after.
Set in the 5os-60s we follow the life of Sasha as she navigates her life amidst men that feel entitled to her, men that feel superior to her and men that believe they deserve more than her purely due to their gender. As a woman I recognised the harassment she faced and the discrimination she encountered, even the delicately entwined experiences she faced that perhaps aren't blindingly obvious to all who read the book.
I feel conflicted writing this review as I understand the importance of this book, yet I also didn't feel a connection to or even like Sasha at certain points in the narrative. I grappled with a young white female character who lived with an abundance of privilege trying to wrestle with the unfairness of being a woman in a world catered to men. We've become much more educated and empathetic to so many issues around us since this book was written, so I feel my opinion is quite skewed in comparison to what readers thought and loved about this book upon its release back in the 70s. Yes, what she encountered was something no woman should ever have to experience, yet at the same time she got to experience so much (travel, education etc.) due to her social standing and the colour of her skin. Unfortunately there are still too many circumstances of what Sasha experienced unfolding in our world today. Regardless of how far we believe we have advanced, it's always wise to reflect on how much further we still have to go and to not become complacent. Definitely an important book for it's generation, the era in which it was written and a memoir that has become an influential building block for female writers and commentators who came after.
rcsreads's review against another edition
4.0
No one ever said "girls will be girls"; for girls were expected to be ladies.
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Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen is set in the 50's-60's and has been out of print in the UK since the 80's and yet it's still depressingly relevant.
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The book is narrated by Sasha, who is approaching 30 when her beauty will have faded and her personality set (I'm 33, this is upsetting!), as she looks back over her life. The everyday sexism begins when she's in kindergarten and just gets worse. She has to hide her intelligence, and her paranoia that she is ugly and abnormal follows her through the years as she seeks validation from men. Oh, the men. The hashtag #menaretrash was made for all of them!
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I enjoyed reading this one, as the blurb says, it remains funny and heartbreaking. Definitely a feminist classic.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy for review.
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Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen is set in the 50's-60's and has been out of print in the UK since the 80's and yet it's still depressingly relevant.
.
The book is narrated by Sasha, who is approaching 30 when her beauty will have faded and her personality set (I'm 33, this is upsetting!), as she looks back over her life. The everyday sexism begins when she's in kindergarten and just gets worse. She has to hide her intelligence, and her paranoia that she is ugly and abnormal follows her through the years as she seeks validation from men. Oh, the men. The hashtag #menaretrash was made for all of them!
.
I enjoyed reading this one, as the blurb says, it remains funny and heartbreaking. Definitely a feminist classic.
.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy for review.
kaseyc1010's review against another edition
DNF at page 75
- confusing timeline
- confusing plot points
- extremely long paragraphs and chapters
- just struggling to get through it
However
- did think had some good points about being a girl in that time period
- enjoyed the time setting
- confusing timeline
- confusing plot points
- extremely long paragraphs and chapters
- just struggling to get through it
However
- did think had some good points about being a girl in that time period
- enjoyed the time setting
mkat303's review against another edition
2.0
I picked this up because it was by Alix Kates Shulman and I hadn't read it yet. Didn't really like it that much, though. Maybe I just prefer Shulman's memoirs to her fiction, since I wasn't that into her newest, Menage, either. On the other hand, maybe this book is just dated for me. Had I read it back in the '80s, or in 1972, when it was published, it may have made a bigger impact.
karencorday's review against another edition
4.0
I went through a phase during which I was obsessed with first-wave feminist coming-of-age stories. I was in high school, and I read them in a state of complete fascination and horror. This one features a home abortion scene that is completely out of hand; it's a lot like the one in the original Alfie, actually.
eleria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship