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mhazz's review against another edition
2.0
If this is your first foray into feminism then you will probably enjoy this book more. It is, though, filled mostly with regurgitated ideas and little credit to feminist predecessors, packaging itself as something new and groundbreaking. When read as an introductory book for younger readers it becomes easier to enjoy, but overall I found that it generalised, assumed, and patronised. The idea that there is no body shaming and societal beauty standards for men was extremely unfounded.
As much as she rants (in almost every chapter) about how lucky she is to be so wonderfully privileged and beautiful, I feel Given will look back on this book in a few years and cringe. A book that is very much following a trend, containing no real substance.
As much as she rants (in almost every chapter) about how lucky she is to be so wonderfully privileged and beautiful, I feel Given will look back on this book in a few years and cringe. A book that is very much following a trend, containing no real substance.
graceverse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
katyab's review against another edition
4.0
Ha, two books finished in one day – take that, Goodreads "two books behind schedule" Reading Challenge!
Anyway, this was a book – manifesto? – I'd been wanting to read for some time, especially after it being recommended by a friend as something hugely important for women to read. I certainly understand why. There are a lot of necessary truths and reflections in here that women should be acquainted with in some way. It was shocking (although not that surprising) to realise all the ways in which women have to pay the price (often literally) to adhere and respond to societal expectations and norms. When reading this, I spent some time thinking about the ways in which I'd done this, and often how I'd set (or not set) boundaries for myself, and respected (or not respected) the boundaries of others, without going into too much detail.
The messages in the book were not new to me, but this is not a bad thing. If anything, it shows that I'm privileged enough to be in a circle that allows me to discuss and challenge issues like this, and feel supported by those around me, which includes but is not limited to the women in my life. Of course, there are things to be worked on and improved; I know I've got thinking to do. There were points where I was getting quite emotional thinking about the ways in which I'd been affected by the structures and expectations for women. In terms of the book, it wasn't as revelatory to me as it might be for someone else. That doesn't make it any less important. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about who they are and what they're capable of. It's absolutely a necessary book for healing. For me, I already know that healing is a necessary thing, and a lot of this book seemed to tell me what I already knew, but other parts directed me to where I needed to pay more attention to myself and the people around me.
Anyway, this was a book – manifesto? – I'd been wanting to read for some time, especially after it being recommended by a friend as something hugely important for women to read. I certainly understand why. There are a lot of necessary truths and reflections in here that women should be acquainted with in some way. It was shocking (although not that surprising) to realise all the ways in which women have to pay the price (often literally) to adhere and respond to societal expectations and norms. When reading this, I spent some time thinking about the ways in which I'd done this, and often how I'd set (or not set) boundaries for myself, and respected (or not respected) the boundaries of others, without going into too much detail.
The messages in the book were not new to me, but this is not a bad thing. If anything, it shows that I'm privileged enough to be in a circle that allows me to discuss and challenge issues like this, and feel supported by those around me, which includes but is not limited to the women in my life. Of course, there are things to be worked on and improved; I know I've got thinking to do. There were points where I was getting quite emotional thinking about the ways in which I'd been affected by the structures and expectations for women. In terms of the book, it wasn't as revelatory to me as it might be for someone else. That doesn't make it any less important. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about who they are and what they're capable of. It's absolutely a necessary book for healing. For me, I already know that healing is a necessary thing, and a lot of this book seemed to tell me what I already knew, but other parts directed me to where I needed to pay more attention to myself and the people around me.
flame_red's review against another edition
4.0
A must read for anyone who wants to begin to delve in to the triumphs and challenges of feminism.
Easily approachable and thought provoking
Easily approachable and thought provoking
pazula's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
finn_the_sheep's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
sindibookworm's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up this book because I thought the colourful illustrations were cute. Now I finally got firsthand experience of why we “don’t judge a book by its cover”.
Finding out this book was published only 3 years ago shocked me because it reads like it was written in 2012. Maybe if I was reading this as a middle school or high school student, it would’ve been groundbreaking to me but none of this is new to me now as a 22 year old. The narration is a bit all over the place — the author just introduces random pillars of white feminism but doesn’t elaborate or share many relevant experiences to actually drive the point home.
Gave it 2 stars instead of 1 as I recognize there may be individuals that can benefit from this book. I just wasn’t impressed.
Finding out this book was published only 3 years ago shocked me because it reads like it was written in 2012. Maybe if I was reading this as a middle school or high school student, it would’ve been groundbreaking to me but none of this is new to me now as a 22 year old. The narration is a bit all over the place — the author just introduces random pillars of white feminism but doesn’t elaborate or share many relevant experiences to actually drive the point home.
Gave it 2 stars instead of 1 as I recognize there may be individuals that can benefit from this book. I just wasn’t impressed.
nickiitay's review against another edition
1.0
15-16 year old Nicole would’ve benefitted from reading this, especially the bit on diversifying your social media feeds. But I’m 26 years old now, I’ve done and continue to do my own research, so nothing Florence discusses in this book is really an “uncomfortable truth” like she advertised. An undeniable “uncomfortable truth” is that the concept for this book is stolen content from Chidera Eggerue’s What a Time to be Alone. How can you say you support all women when you’re actively stealing intellectual content from another woman? Embarrassing. Time to go reread What a Time to be Aloneseeing as Florence quoted it enough times to remind me how great a book it is.