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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
"I so desperately craved men's validation that I accepted it even when it came wrapped in disrespect."
This is a beautiful book. Such a nuanced take on beauty, womanhood, sex, and the modeling industry. Some parts are almost TOO graphic, but I know that's because R. has gone through some extremely graphic things. I appreciate her honesty as well as her poetic style--reminded me of watching the virgin suicides. I cried at the end. I struggle with many of the things she struggles with--in a very different way, of course--and I felt connected and moved to see someone put those struggles into words. I also really, really, really feel bad for her and all she's gone through. Though how strong to put it into a book.
This is a beautiful book. Such a nuanced take on beauty, womanhood, sex, and the modeling industry. Some parts are almost TOO graphic, but I know that's because R. has gone through some extremely graphic things. I appreciate her honesty as well as her poetic style--reminded me of watching the virgin suicides. I cried at the end. I struggle with many of the things she struggles with--in a very different way, of course--and I felt connected and moved to see someone put those struggles into words. I also really, really, really feel bad for her and all she's gone through. Though how strong to put it into a book.
Engaging, insightful essays that can resonate so well with women - particularly in regard to a woman’s relationship with her body, the prospect of capitalising off your sexuality and femininity, and living within the patriarchy and male gaze.
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
i enjoyed reading this a lot more than i expected! personal and charming, but also surprisingly frank - i was not expecting ratajkowski to talk so openly about how her desire for capital motivated her. it was very interesting to hear some of the ins of the industry, all the ways it has harmed & helped her, though i wish there was an essay about how she feels about the modeling industry present-day. overall, a thorough and deeply honest work.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4 stars
I was very pleasantly surprised by this memoir, I really enjoyed the non-chronological narration of important episodes of her life. The focus on her relation to her body and how that was primarily determined by others (men's) perception of her body was well balanced. I also appreciated that there was dimension to this, however, not just recognizing the discordance between her physical and mental state, but reflecting on several other experiences such as the Korean spa, the gynecologist, her experience with her mothers' illness. I really loved those episodes of her daily life as it helped me understand who she was.
I do think there was more that could've been explored with this book but overall really enjoyed it.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this memoir, I really enjoyed the non-chronological narration of important episodes of her life. The focus on her relation to her body and how that was primarily determined by others (men's) perception of her body was well balanced. I also appreciated that there was dimension to this, however, not just recognizing the discordance between her physical and mental state, but reflecting on several other experiences such as the Korean spa, the gynecologist, her experience with her mothers' illness. I really loved those episodes of her daily life as it helped me understand who she was.
I do think there was more that could've been explored with this book but overall really enjoyed it.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
i really appreciate emily for writing this book. her perspective is so important to have written down and shared. she is an excellent writer - her prose is both beautiful and accessible, making it a very quick read despite the heavy content.
the main flaw i find with this book is its inapplicability to your average woman. this is an intentional act, leaning into the memoir genre and focussing on her own experience, but i do find that the commodification of women’s bodies could have been more deeply considered outside of her own niche world of high fame. having said that, the book is literally called ‘my body.’ i can’t criticise her for the work she created, but it did leave me wanting more.
the main flaw i find with this book is its inapplicability to your average woman. this is an intentional act, leaning into the memoir genre and focussing on her own experience, but i do find that the commodification of women’s bodies could have been more deeply considered outside of her own niche world of high fame. having said that, the book is literally called ‘my body.’ i can’t criticise her for the work she created, but it did leave me wanting more.