Reviews

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

eggjen's review against another edition

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3.0

This book had a lot of Laugh of Loud moments and a truly insightful look into the world of women, feminism and life. There were also a lot of uncomfortable, pervy, crass moments. Caitlin Moran tells it like it is and has nothing to hide - so brace yourself. But on the whole, I did really enjoy this book and would recommend it with caution to anyone who is or will be a woman.

lenaoknihach's review against another edition

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1.0

description

A to jsem si myslela, jak se u knihy zasměju.
Bohužel, kniha mi vůbec nesedla, proto ani nebudu psát recenzi, poněvadž ke konci už jsem ani nečetla všechny kapitoly a jen jsem si vybírala podle názvu..

innessfree's review against another edition

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1.0

Though I appreciate Moran's attempts to make feminism more accessible, in her efforts to appeal to the masses (and to the menz), she actually undercuts the movement in a lot of ways. I also didn't think she was terribly funny.

fflur_jones's review against another edition

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1.0

This book was bad for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there was definitely an element of generational disconnect. The book felt a little outdated with some of her examples (i.e. deciding to grow out her armpit/pubic hair) more commonly accepted today.

I also feel this book would have worked so so much better as a memoir rather than trying to be a sort of feminist manifesto. The chapters that really worked (mainly the last few) revolved around her experiences with abortion and motherhood.

In the earlier chapters, where she strays away from her lived experience, Moran's feminism is very... well, white and western. And this is ultimately the downfall of the book.
From suggesting that feminists should reclaim the term "strident feminism" like the Black community reclaimed the n-word to stating that she has decided she is against burkas, Moran's "feminist" talking-points are only dissected and viewed through a western lens and end up being quite racist takes on the topics discussed. In the case of the burka for example, Moran views them solely as an imposition by men but doesn't actually seem to take into account what women who actually wear burkas think of them.
Overall, this is just a very outdated book.

punkinmuffin's review against another edition

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5.0

I picked this book up again after having only gotten partway through originally. I then listened to Caitlin Moran narrate it herself. It's even more hilarious and gorgeous and wonderful. I have More Than A Woman queued up on Mt TBR too.

petrock28's review against another edition

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dark funny informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

alicebme's review against another edition

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1.0

I could not finish this book. I like the author, and I enjoyed hearing her on the radio, but the writing style irritated me.

margolovie89's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring medium-paced

3.0

margotgabriella's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars

Oelalala, what an experience. I bought this book in my early stages of feminism and 3 years later started and finished reading it. Caitlin Moran is one of the many 'idols' in my feminist journey and I am forever thankful for knowledge she has provided for me and so many other young girls trying to find their way into this movement. Feminists aren't always the angry, bra-burning "sociopaths" many envision they might be. Throughout reading this book, which is btw immensely funny, I have become more informed but also less angry about certain things in the patriarchy. I do, highly, recommend this book to any woman who is interested or needs an eye-opining book about this subject.

Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this book and I loved hearing it (audiobook) with Moran's voice. I did give it a 4.5 stars because at some moments in this book I did find the personal stories of Moran either boring, long-dreaded or just not fitting for the book. BUT, these stories where mainly funny and relatable and this book made me respect Caitlin Moran even more than I already did.

jesslolsen's review against another edition

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4.0

started reading this book thinking I was going to hate it and that I actually wouldn't even be able to finish it, so I was very surprised when into the second chapter I couldn't stop myself from laughing out aloud on public transport!
I hadn't heard of Caitlin Moran before and I generally HATE British literature and movies, but I was so glad I bought this book.

From the very beginning you can tell she is an extremely humorous and sarcastic woman and as I previously mentioned her anecdotes had me trying to hide my giggles on public transport on the trip home from work.

But aside from her humour, she is actually very astute when it comes to modern society and how this affects women today. She has definitely made me rethink my idea on what a feminist is, and I am ashamed to say that before reading this book I was one of the uneducated people who thought this meant I had to burn my bra and hate men (something she thankfully explains isn't necessary these days.)

I think that any book that makes you look at a topic from a different perspective is well worth reading, and so on that basis I happily recommend this book. You may not become a feminist activist at the end, but you will get a good chuckle along the way.