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omgbiscoffspread's review against another edition
4.0
For the most part this was laugh out loud and wake my husband up funny, but there were a few places where it became so abundantly clear that the things she was describing were in fact torture, slavery, and subjugation, that I had to set it down for a little bit while I got my head back on straight. I adore reading about and learning about the 19th century, and this book hilariously reaffirmed my contentment at observing from my very cozy place in the 21st century and never ever wishing to live during that time.
neveroutofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I have no desire to give up warm, daily showers, I never have. Now I really don't. This book is hilarious. A must read for anyone who reads or watches period works.
wdecora's review against another edition
4.0
Finally sat down and finished this. It's a good mix of humor and information which makes me very happy to be living now and not back then!
jecinwv's review against another edition
4.0
I read this so fast! What a fun and funny guide into the very gritty and often unspoken topic of women's health and expectations in the Victorian Era. This was shocking in some ways, expected in others, and full of interesting facts. The takeaway, everything you did as a woman in that time was wrong. This made for great conversation and was a good reflection on how medicine has made being a woman in the 21st century a lot more bearable. There is a lot of graphic detail about sex and the female body system. Yet, it is well worth the insights.
cosy_novel_niche's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
Easy and quick to read, a funny and generic (a bit to much for my taste) introduction to Victorian period. A book to get some interesting information from here and there and to be read in short bits for a laugh. For research purposes other books are more suitable.
Easy and quick to read, a funny and generic (a bit to much for my taste) introduction to Victorian period. A book to get some interesting information from here and there and to be read in short bits for a laugh. For research purposes other books are more suitable.
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
3.0
Based on a review written by one of Olive from A Book Olive, I wanted to check this book out.
The author takes readers on a ride back to the Victorian days and keeps reminding us not to impose our 21st century expectations on what life was like for women back in the past.
Oneill offers a window into the fascinating, perilous, gross and of course misogynistic practices imposed on, or expected of, women in the 19th century.
One of my favorite parts about the book are the photographs, illustrations, and advertisements from the time. I especially enjoyed the author's snarky captions.
The author tackles a variety of topics all related to women, from social norms and practices, expectations for bodily cleanliness, courting practices, 19th century bathrooms which range from dangerous cosmetics, to undergarments, to the lack of indoor plumbing, and how to walk down the street.
The most interesting part of the book for me was about how (male) doctors viewed women, their bodies and the catchall category they labeled female hysteria. I think it's a sad commentary on society that, similar to the Victoria era, even today women's concerns about their bodies are still not taken always seriously by doctors.
Overall, I wasn't overly impressed by the information presented in this book, nor by all of the commentary, which felt like the author was trying to hard to make the reader laugh. But if you don't know much about this time period, I wouldn't not recommend this book.
The author takes readers on a ride back to the Victorian days and keeps reminding us not to impose our 21st century expectations on what life was like for women back in the past.
Oneill offers a window into the fascinating, perilous, gross and of course misogynistic practices imposed on, or expected of, women in the 19th century.
One of my favorite parts about the book are the photographs, illustrations, and advertisements from the time. I especially enjoyed the author's snarky captions.
The author tackles a variety of topics all related to women, from social norms and practices, expectations for bodily cleanliness, courting practices, 19th century bathrooms which range from dangerous cosmetics, to undergarments, to the lack of indoor plumbing, and how to walk down the street.
The most interesting part of the book for me was about how (male) doctors viewed women, their bodies and the catchall category they labeled female hysteria. I think it's a sad commentary on society that, similar to the Victoria era, even today women's concerns about their bodies are still not taken always seriously by doctors.
Overall, I wasn't overly impressed by the information presented in this book, nor by all of the commentary, which felt like the author was trying to hard to make the reader laugh. But if you don't know much about this time period, I wouldn't not recommend this book.
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
At first the book was interesting and amusing, but after awhile it became a little repetitive and strange. If I had more time I might keep reading it, as it wasn't bad, but I don't have time to devote to a book that I don't love right now.