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missajackman's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
mari1532's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I love a good memoir and Ratajkowski delivered in this book. I checked out the audiobook from my local library so I was able to hear her tell her story. The vulnerability that Ratajkowski has while detailing her life and her career as a model is deeply moving and beautifully written. She was also one of the first people to really detail for me what it feels like to be an only child within the context of your parent's marriage. Her discussion of how she navigated familial dynamics while pursuing her own life was something that I really admired.
I also really appreciate the reflections that she had about her career and I think this work really highlights something that we as a culture are now coming to grips with. How women were treated in the press in the early 2000s and how that time set particularly harsh health and beauty standards for women. Obviously, there are still a great many problems in this area, but Ratajkowski's open discussion of the modelling industry and how she struggles with reclaiming her own image when it has been used in hundreds of campaign ads is really inspiring.
I also really appreciate the reflections that she had about her career and I think this work really highlights something that we as a culture are now coming to grips with. How women were treated in the press in the early 2000s and how that time set particularly harsh health and beauty standards for women. Obviously, there are still a great many problems in this area, but Ratajkowski's open discussion of the modelling industry and how she struggles with reclaiming her own image when it has been used in hundreds of campaign ads is really inspiring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexism, Body shaming, and Misogyny
liviburke1's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Incredible reflection and analysis of what it means to fit the beauty standard in a world where beauty is like a currency that allows you to purchase the life you desire.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual assault
lesseraliterary's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
the writing was very illustrative and i had difficulty putting this down. this book was more of a view of how those around her have viewed her body and how she tries to take ownership back. i felt like she could’ve discussed how she now views her body which she really didn’t. this was mainly i reflection of how things influenced her perception of herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
meemawreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I'm grateful Emily Ratajkowski explained who she was at the beginning of this book because yer Meemaw lives under a very fetching boulder, nestled beneath a pile of books, mint Lifesavers wrappers, and cat hair. She's a model, actress, and more importantly a feminist and one hell of a writer who came to fame partly through her nearly-nude appearance in the Blurred Lines music video. (I had the misfortune of catering weddings the summer that godawful song was popular, she's the only person who might hate it more than me.)
ANYWAY. I used this for the "I know this shit's gonna piss me off" space on my Bloomin Readathon board because who has more harrowing stories than a MODEL about how women and fem-presenting people are valued, dehumanized, used and discarded based on their bodies? was right. The existential rage this brought out of me... how many times does person after person after person have to write about the often gendered violence of bodies before we're heard?! I never get tired of hearing about it but if you do, skip this one. And check dem trigger warnings, babies. The last chapter is especially powerful because she's directly addressing a powerful man who's been allowed to profit off her nude image (I refuse to look him up for clarity, shitstains aren't worth the thumb strain.) Four rage taters 🥔🥔🥔🥔/🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔
ANYWAY. I used this for the "I know this shit's gonna piss me off" space on my Bloomin Readathon board because who has more harrowing stories than a MODEL about how women and fem-presenting people are valued, dehumanized, used and discarded based on their bodies? was right. The existential rage this brought out of me... how many times does person after person after person have to write about the often gendered violence of bodies before we're heard?! I never get tired of hearing about it but if you do, skip this one. And check dem trigger warnings, babies. The last chapter is especially powerful because she's directly addressing a powerful man who's been allowed to profit off her nude image (I refuse to look him up for clarity, shitstains aren't worth the thumb strain.) Four rage taters 🥔🥔🥔🥔/🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
alogna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
machadamia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Going into this book, I wasn’t expecting much because, well, as much of a feminist I think I am, she does have a certain image. But I was hoping to see things from her perspective and I’m glad I read this book so I know that she is also struggling in her own way in this world that is so taken by beauty and in the industry that exploits it. I hope she finds peace because the story she painted of her life tells of so much insecurities and pain.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual assault
paigicus's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Body shaming
carlycormier_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, Medical content, Bullying, and Pregnancy
adriiscarolina's review against another edition
4.0
I went into the book with low expectations and it pretty much confronted me with my own prejudice. Emily uses this book as a means of self exploration, not necessarily to reach a conclusion but to see her life story in a more nuanced way. She presents her own upbringing, and her mother’s notions of beauty as the backbone of her decisions. How she has had to grapple with the assumptions that people make of her for being a model, including the dumb girl narrative (which even I fell for).
Instead, I finished this book with a much more nuanced way of seeing the modeling industry and how it dehumanizes women as they strive to pursue their dreams. Emily does an amazing job at exploring her own relationship with her body, the very thing that sustains her livelihood as a model, yet also the thing that men lust for and profit off of, at times without her consent. It’s a tough read, but a needed one.
Instead, I finished this book with a much more nuanced way of seeing the modeling industry and how it dehumanizes women as they strive to pursue their dreams. Emily does an amazing job at exploring her own relationship with her body, the very thing that sustains her livelihood as a model, yet also the thing that men lust for and profit off of, at times without her consent. It’s a tough read, but a needed one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Moderate: Body shaming