Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given

68 reviews

ellencraddock's review against another edition

informative inspiring slow-paced

2.0

I don't disagree with any of the points made in this book. Some are very basic principles and theories that I think most fem lit readers would be largely familiar with. Think it would have benefitted from speaking more about Given's personal experience growing up - these were the most gripping parts. Commenting on issues not affecting Given felt false... like why would I read a white girls book about what it's like to live as a black women?

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

thejuliette's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

justcallmeeej's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Racism, and Racial slurs

0xytocinn's review against another edition

informative inspiring fast-paced

3.25

I was initially really enamoured with this book, and I feel that it's a fantastic introduction to feminism. I put it as a recommendation on my instagram as I've got so many friends who would benefit from the messages in it, but there aren't really any new ideas portrayed. It didn't really tell me anything I hadn't already seen on Tumblr in 2014, but, I have to give the book credit for it's accessibility. It's also gorgeously presented. More a coffee table book than anything.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.25

This was exactly what I imagined, an accessible way into feminism, beautifully put together and featuring Given's illustrations. She covers a lot of important topics and although none of them are particularly in depth or original, I'm sure it'll be a good starting point for a lot of people. I was already familiar with most of the subjects she covers, so it held no great revelations for me but it was quite self-affirming at least. A lot of the self help aspects about dating/not dating also didn't really apply to me, but I kind of expected that. It's very well written and she articulates her points clearly so while it wasn't a groundbreaking read for me overall, I'm glad I read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism

Minor: Sexual assault

curatoriallyyours's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

3.5

This book has a lot of important things to say about who we are as women and why things are the way they are, as well as practical advice for moving past some of the roadblocks and common traumas experienced by women. It encourages introspection and is a book you could come back to again and again to ground yourself as particular situations emerge.

The author of this book was 21 at the time of writing and, to be sure, exhibits wisdom beyond her age. However, I wonder if she'd have written the same book in ten or twenty years time. At the time of writing this review, I'm 38, and a lot of the things she is absolute about are grey areas for me. I also think that some of her advice could be not applicable or even dangerous for some people. For example, not everyone is in a safe position to break up with a partner if they find themselves in a difficult situation. Partnerships occur for lots of different reasons and in many cultural situations, so someone whose parents force them into a marriage, for example, might not be able to follow this black and white advice safely. I think it is a matter of privilege - the privilege of being in a position to break up with a partner - and beyond that the privilege of being in a position to be introspective and make changes to your life in general. Also, on a slightly lighter note, I think some of the reasons why the author suggests breaking up with a partner are situations that are more nuanced than she implies.

Over all, I think this book is important and a good read. It is easily digestable in that it has short chapters that could really be read in any order, but it is also challenging in its content and made me think about some of the choices I've made and the context within which I've made them. If you're an older reader, you may not find everything in this book to be relevant to your circumstances - it really seems to be primarily aimed at women in their twenties - but there are some gems in there that make it worth your while.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Each chapter contains content warnings, which I found really thoughtful.

kleinearmee's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

carolinalopes's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault

Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, and Racism