Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

10 reviews

annierosebel's review against another edition

5.0

This is powerful stuff.

As usual when I read YA, I've got to acknowledge that I am not the target audience for this book.

It's a heavy read - but I'm actually so glad today's teenagers have books that talk about porn, disordered eating, and social media in such an honest and accessible way. 

Every time I read YA I am reminded of how rough teenagers have it and how strong we demand they be. 

I think this book is clever. It's engaging and enjoyable to read, while talking about feminist issues like 'choice' and violence against women and girls - and without pitting girls and women with different points of view or experiences against each other. It really highlighted how misogyny and patriarchy cause all of the girls and women to suffer, and how complicit men and boys become though not questioning the reality presented to them. 

Holly Bourne writes well, and you find yourself drawn to both protagonists, regardless of who you perhaps relate to more.

I was also so glad to see some queer representation, as well as some (admittedly light) acknowledgement of intersectionality with Vanessa being Black.

I was really pleased that the end acknowledges that this is contemporary fiction written using dystopian language. I think it's a very clever way to make a story about the current reality accessible and less threatening, with a good explanation at the end.

I don't really have a sense of what age this would be appropriate for - I unfortunately think girls younger than ever are probably exposed to porn and appearance pressures - but I hope young women find it and are reassured and encouraged to act in their best interests. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Medical content, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexism

The book contains discourse about pornograohy and violent sexual content.

lissycr's review against another edition

reflective

• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

A great message and really cleverly put together, either I misunderstood something though or Joni

was just a bit judgmental at points considering her whole standpoint, then again nobody is perfect and it is a fucked up world they live in. I just found myself looking more forward to Bella’s chapters and seeing her journey more especially as she began to realise what Joni was opening her eyes to and confront how she really felt about all this propaganda.

The end also felt like the perfect choice, if slightly upsetting, for a piece of realistic (based) fiction like this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Sexual assault and Misogyny

Minor: Eating disorder

pernillelsk's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual assault, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Medical trauma

freyathefridayfairy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Medical content, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Domestic abuse

xavreadsbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, and Rape

Minor: Pedophilia

amber_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

What a book to start the year with. Powerful, evocative, an excellent read. The only thing that stopped me from rating 5 stars was some of the linguistic choices at times by the author which felt a bit jarring. Would definitely recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexism

goatsrsexy's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Okay this book was definitely giving Barbie (movie) in a lot of ways. 1. It was an entertaining and interesting story that had something to say. 2. The social commentary was 100% right and told in an accessible way. 3. It was not made for people who already care about this stuff.

I'm not saying if you're educated on feminist and gender equality you won't like this book. It's a good book, but I was definitely left disappointed that it didn't take things a little further or hit a little harder. The potential was definitely there, but so were the cringy monologues.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

leah08855's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Bullying, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Toxic friendship

lonely_leafairy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

One of the best books I have ever read. An amazing read, which many claim are dystopian, but it really is what is happening on some women’s day-to-day life. It made me angry, I’ll never cover my blemishes the same way again. I’ll never judge people without thinking twice now. It ruled me up, made me angry, but it caused emotion. That’s what I want from a book. And for anyone who is wondering, there is a hint of WLW romance, though they just kind of brush me off (another reason why this isn’t a five star book)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Bullying

Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

This is quite an intense book. Something else I didn’t see listed above was porn, though they call it smut in the movie. It’s moderate to graphic, and might gross some people out, so I wouldn’t say this is for the easily impressionable.

amyashcroft's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

You Could Be So Pretty is a dystopia written with feminism at its core, set in a world in which the majority of women “Mask” at the beginning of each day, and those who do not are seen as outcasts. 

The novel is split between the perspectives of Joni and Belle, Joni rejects the rules of the Doctrine and doesn’t Mask, and Belle is striving to be a Pretty and is working hard to keep up appearances to win the Ceremony. Despite there differences, they’re both fighting for a scholarship for the Education and are forced to spend more and more time together in order to prepare. 

This book is so head-on with the issues of the beauty industry and sexism in modern society. Bourne doesn’t shy away from the  gritty details and of her own criticisms of normalised sexism that is experienced by teenage girls, highlighting modern issues from porn to eating disorders and the impact these have on beauty standards. I also thoroughly enjoyed the theme of ageism in society; how the main characters are teenage girls, but we also get to learn how society treats the women around them and how their mothers react to the effects of aging. 

You Could Be So Pretty is often hard to read, but there are clear trigger warnings for the issues at the start of the book, which is greatly appreciated, as well as support information at the end. This is definitely an older YA novel, probably best for 16+, I’m 22 and struggled to read some of the content! Holly Bourne was able to critique so many different areas of society and by retitling many of the words used to similar ones, it allowed me to read these difficult topics and feel a separation, helping it feel less overwhelming but still have an impact. 

I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait to discuss it with others when it’s published! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Mental illness, Sexism, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Medical content, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol