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mjoyced's review
4.0
The format is different from many books: it's written as a conversation between, what I thought of as, a thirty-something millennial and a middle-class Victorian grandmother. I audiobooked it, which emphasized that it was a conversation, and I thought it was a fun format to read.
I found the first 3rd of the book so annoying, I almost quit: the millennial narrator had an I'm-better-than-you tone as if modern practices aren't equally weird as Victorian ones (we tell pregnant women they can't get a pedicure in case it causes preterm labor, for goodness sake). Oneill addresses this head-on about 30% of the way through, as the Victorian narrator calls her out on her judgmental tone and bias.
And then the rest of the book they're able to talk more amiably through the various parenting practices and beliefs. From then on, it was a pretty interesting read! They inevitably touch on child abuse and death, with the millennial narrator saying what we're all thinking (uhg, that's AWFUL), and the Victorian grandma reminding us to be grateful for modern medicine. I found the section on children's clothing to be particularly interesting.
I found the first 3rd of the book so annoying, I almost quit: the millennial narrator had an I'm-better-than-you tone as if modern practices aren't equally weird as Victorian ones (we tell pregnant women they can't get a pedicure in case it causes preterm labor, for goodness sake). Oneill addresses this head-on about 30% of the way through, as the Victorian narrator calls her out on her judgmental tone and bias.
And then the rest of the book they're able to talk more amiably through the various parenting practices and beliefs. From then on, it was a pretty interesting read! They inevitably touch on child abuse and death, with the millennial narrator saying what we're all thinking (uhg, that's AWFUL), and the Victorian grandma reminding us to be grateful for modern medicine. I found the section on children's clothing to be particularly interesting.
jennystout21's review
3.0
I loved Therese Oneill's book "Unmentionable", which was a lighthearted look at intimate things like menstruation and corsets in Victorian England/America. However, "Ungovernable", about raising children in the same time period, didn't sit right with me. it's written in a conversational Q&A style between the author and someone asking for Victorian parenting advice, which got old very quickly. Additionally, the narrator is weirdly defensive of traditional gender roles in the various chapters on the differences between raising girls and boys, making jokes about how 21st century children are being raised to be "genderless". I can only assume this at least somewhat reflects Oneill's actual thoughts on the topic and make me side-eye the book a little. Especially since--hey, Therese--are you reading this? There were queer people in the Victorian era. There have always been people who don't quite fit in. So while much of "Ungovernable" was lighthearted and funny (and also depressing since the Victorian age is also full of horrors, like child beating), it left a kinda bad taste in my mouth. Therese--be better than this.
joanareads's review
4.0
*4.5 Stars
And yet another amazing book by Therese Oneill! I was expecting less focus on pregnancy and childbirth, but as per usual this was interesting, funny and (incredibly) a read I recommend if you’re a new parent.
And yet another amazing book by Therese Oneill! I was expecting less focus on pregnancy and childbirth, but as per usual this was interesting, funny and (incredibly) a read I recommend if you’re a new parent.
bookish_whispers's review
4.0
This was the second book by Therese Oneill, and Ungovernable did not disappoint.
Ungovernable is my favorite kind of Nonfiction book. Where you learn something you never knew, but in a ridiculous sort of way. It takes something that could be so clinical and dull, and cranks up the sass.
I have been waiting for what feels like forever for this book. Last year I stumpled across Therese Oneill's book Unmentionables, and devoured it on my patio. So to find out she was writing another Victorian Era book, but this time on child rearing, I was very much on board.
I showed up the day my library said it was in and snatched it right off the "New Release" shelf. Then promptly finished my other books and set out a day to start next book, then read way past my bed time.
Hands down my favorite part of this book is its format. It isn't just Therese Oneil telling us about raising children during the 19th Century. It's a question and answer session with a mother who wants to raise her kids the "Victorian Way". So there is a late of back and forth, a lot of reaction to the scenarios being presented.
For me it has to stop the information overload. It also helps the book move along to subject to subject.
I also really enjoy the captions under the photos. I may read ahead to the captions because they the best!
It's a bit of hard book to read in public because there was a lot of laughing out loud, and I'm sure I pulled some great faces at certain parts. There's also the lovely ladies who read over your shoulder on the bus. Sure hope they got the pages about penises or assmilk. Nothing would give me greater pleasure.
Ungovernable is also very well researched. Not just brcuase of theboages and pages of references in the back of the book. But, just how well the book flows. Therese Oneill knew what she was talking about, presented it well, and left me one burning question.
How did our grandparents survive?
It seems like literally everything was against them. It also did nothing but give me more reasons to not have children now, or then, or ever. I do have more respect for the women of the 19th Century though. So much respect...
My only down side was honestly how fast I read this book. Cause now I'm left with a bit of book hangover despite an awesome TBR looming over me. But, I'm excited to see where Therese Oneill goes next.
Buy, Borrow, or Skip: Anything that gets this book in your hands. I went the library route because I'm being "Cheap Sally" these days. My dad's words, not my own. But, I would love to both of Therese's books on my shelves. Cover-to-cover they are brilliant.
Ungovernable is my favorite kind of Nonfiction book. Where you learn something you never knew, but in a ridiculous sort of way. It takes something that could be so clinical and dull, and cranks up the sass.
I have been waiting for what feels like forever for this book. Last year I stumpled across Therese Oneill's book Unmentionables, and devoured it on my patio. So to find out she was writing another Victorian Era book, but this time on child rearing, I was very much on board.
I showed up the day my library said it was in and snatched it right off the "New Release" shelf. Then promptly finished my other books and set out a day to start next book, then read way past my bed time.
Hands down my favorite part of this book is its format. It isn't just Therese Oneil telling us about raising children during the 19th Century. It's a question and answer session with a mother who wants to raise her kids the "Victorian Way". So there is a late of back and forth, a lot of reaction to the scenarios being presented.
For me it has to stop the information overload. It also helps the book move along to subject to subject.
I also really enjoy the captions under the photos. I may read ahead to the captions because they the best!
It's a bit of hard book to read in public because there was a lot of laughing out loud, and I'm sure I pulled some great faces at certain parts. There's also the lovely ladies who read over your shoulder on the bus. Sure hope they got the pages about penises or assmilk. Nothing would give me greater pleasure.
Ungovernable is also very well researched. Not just brcuase of theboages and pages of references in the back of the book. But, just how well the book flows. Therese Oneill knew what she was talking about, presented it well, and left me one burning question.
How did our grandparents survive?
It seems like literally everything was against them. It also did nothing but give me more reasons to not have children now, or then, or ever. I do have more respect for the women of the 19th Century though. So much respect...
My only down side was honestly how fast I read this book. Cause now I'm left with a bit of book hangover despite an awesome TBR looming over me. But, I'm excited to see where Therese Oneill goes next.
Buy, Borrow, or Skip: Anything that gets this book in your hands. I went the library route because I'm being "Cheap Sally" these days. My dad's words, not my own. But, I would love to both of Therese's books on my shelves. Cover-to-cover they are brilliant.