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maximum_moxie's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating read, one which addresses the dark side of the postmodern "body as performance". The book is both hard-hitting and largely free of academic jargon, which makes it all the more interesting; I profoundly identified with many passages, particularly those exploring the moralization of dealing with one's body.
I don't entirely agree with Orbach's analysis of body issues--she bases much of her model on psychoanalysis, and so reproduces the gender issues of that ideology. For example, her idea that body experiences and mothering practices in infancy cause body issues in later life places a huge amount of pressure on women to treat their children "perfectly". She doesn't explore the idea that making a "project" of one's offspring can be just as soul-destroying (for mother and child) as making a project of one's body. Despite this, her book is a concise indictment of current Western attitudes to bodies--a good introduction for those wanting to go deeper.
I don't entirely agree with Orbach's analysis of body issues--she bases much of her model on psychoanalysis, and so reproduces the gender issues of that ideology. For example, her idea that body experiences and mothering practices in infancy cause body issues in later life places a huge amount of pressure on women to treat their children "perfectly". She doesn't explore the idea that making a "project" of one's offspring can be just as soul-destroying (for mother and child) as making a project of one's body. Despite this, her book is a concise indictment of current Western attitudes to bodies--a good introduction for those wanting to go deeper.
vol6_paulina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
this is a good, basic, brief overview about some of the reasons humans might feel uncomfortable in their bodies. orbach argues that body discomfort may not always originate in the mind- for example, people with anorexia are often told that they are struggling with mental control issues rather than actual body issues- but could be a direct result of body trauma.
i don't know if i would actually give this book to someone who is struggling with body issues themselves, but it's an interesting read for someone who wants to research them or learn how to help people who do struggle.
i don't know if i would actually give this book to someone who is struggling with body issues themselves, but it's an interesting read for someone who wants to research them or learn how to help people who do struggle.
little_worm's review against another edition
5.0
After having been on something of a pop-sci non-fiction binge over the past few months, the more academic and dry tone of [b:Bodies|7619057|Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies, #1)|Isaac Marion|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323400027s/7619057.jpg|10090210] was at first something of a shock to the system. It's something that can be handled in small measured doses, I'd read half a chapter or so on the sub-way to work, have time to mull it over while I spent the day punching in numbers, and read a little more on the trip home.
The was our bodies are presented in the media, and the changing relationship that we have with them, is something that everyone is aware of at some base level. We like to think that we're above it, that we all know these images are photoshopped and unrealistic or that we're all somehow above the power of advertising. It's as though we're lulled into a false sense of security and it's only when we begin to scratch the surface and to look a little deeper that we see how pervasive and harmful these messages about our bodies are.
[b:Bodies|7619057|Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies, #1)|Isaac Marion|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323400027s/7619057.jpg|10090210] is like a knock on the head to remind you of that, and to open your eyes to the problem a little bit more.
The was our bodies are presented in the media, and the changing relationship that we have with them, is something that everyone is aware of at some base level. We like to think that we're above it, that we all know these images are photoshopped and unrealistic or that we're all somehow above the power of advertising. It's as though we're lulled into a false sense of security and it's only when we begin to scratch the surface and to look a little deeper that we see how pervasive and harmful these messages about our bodies are.
[b:Bodies|7619057|Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies, #1)|Isaac Marion|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323400027s/7619057.jpg|10090210] is like a knock on the head to remind you of that, and to open your eyes to the problem a little bit more.
eleana's review
2.0
This book was a bit of a let down to be completely honest. I guess maybe this wasn't aimed for me though but rather was written for people with experience in psychoanalysis.
Either way a lot of the time this book was quite repetitive and kept coming back to the same points. The last chapter did help clear some things up but while I was reading this book a lot of the information did not really connect and it just read like angry rambling. Not to mention that chapters with less original ideas, like those on the effect of commercialism and the beauty industry and globalization as such, were given much more focus than other concepts like parent-child connections which were way more interesting. Can't say I really enjoyed this honestly. Was a bit too much effort to get through for such a small book.
However, I have to admit that the sentences did flow really well and felt very natural and at times the examples of people provided were very interesting. If I remember anything from this book it will probably be that.
Either way a lot of the time this book was quite repetitive and kept coming back to the same points. The last chapter did help clear some things up but while I was reading this book a lot of the information did not really connect and it just read like angry rambling. Not to mention that chapters with less original ideas, like those on the effect of commercialism and the beauty industry and globalization as such, were given much more focus than other concepts like parent-child connections which were way more interesting. Can't say I really enjoyed this honestly. Was a bit too much effort to get through for such a small book.
However, I have to admit that the sentences did flow really well and felt very natural and at times the examples of people provided were very interesting. If I remember anything from this book it will probably be that.
abbyreads8's review against another edition
3.0
In Bodies, readers are shown the powerful commonality among the way the Western world looks at our bodies: through the lens of change. From diet to plastic surgery to body integrity disorder, the first thing most of us see when we look at our body is how we can change it. Orbach explores this further, delving into the causes that lead our bodies into these vulnerable places. Using research and observations from her own psychological practice, she ties most of this bodily dissatisfaction to the relationship between babies and their mothers- anxiety, pain, or any sort of negative emotion felt by a mother can subconsciously transfer to her child, which Orbach argues can fester and affect the trajectory of the child’s entire life.
Overall, I felt like this was a solid, well-written discussion of body image in the Western world. There were several points that really hit home for me, especially those pertaining to the disconnect between ourselves and our bodies. Orbach raises a fascinating point that we have come to a crisis in which the body has become a site for commerce and production- instead of bodies producing, we produce bodies. Her anecdotes about her patients are also compelling, and are a nice addition to the various psychological research she cites throughout the book.
I did have some trouble with the book’s view that eating disorders, body integrity disorder, self-harm, and trans folk are all one in the same in terms of body dissatisfaction. There are a lot of nuances she misses within each of these things, and some of it is quite problematic.
Overall, Bodies was a quick, powerful read that will make you stop and think in a profound way.
3.5 Stars
Overall, I felt like this was a solid, well-written discussion of body image in the Western world. There were several points that really hit home for me, especially those pertaining to the disconnect between ourselves and our bodies. Orbach raises a fascinating point that we have come to a crisis in which the body has become a site for commerce and production- instead of bodies producing, we produce bodies. Her anecdotes about her patients are also compelling, and are a nice addition to the various psychological research she cites throughout the book.
I did have some trouble with the book’s view that eating disorders, body integrity disorder, self-harm, and trans folk are all one in the same in terms of body dissatisfaction. There are a lot of nuances she misses within each of these things, and some of it is quite problematic.
Overall, Bodies was a quick, powerful read that will make you stop and think in a profound way.
3.5 Stars
elise_dragon13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
3.5