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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This book was recommended to me, and the title had me intrigued. I am trying to really get used to the idea of imperfect allies and friends, instead of “everyone who doesn’t agree with me is an enemy.” There were some parts I liked, even loved, and some parts that turned me off. I assumed that this would dive into the etymological roots of the word cunt, speculate on the benefits of reclaiming the word, and how to go about taking it back.
I enjoyed the first few chapters and the author’s writing style. I really liked how she reflected on her readers’ reactions to her. It was very sweet to read what seems like a genuine and heartfelt homage to her readers and how they affect her. Truly Beautiful. I loved the idea of a period party where people with uteruses could celebrate one another. It seems a lot better than the shame that I (and a lot of other women) grew up with.
However, I will admit I only read half of the chapter titles Reproductive Control for Cunts. As someone who organizes protests for the right to abortion, reproductive justice, and bodily autonomy, I do disagree with a lot of the author’s sentiments. And do find her personal experiences to be a tad biased. Not everyone is traumatized from an abortion. Every person is different. Parts of this chapter felt like real fear mongering. When she says she worries that women will regularly use Plan B as birth control, I think my eyes rolled back so far I could see my cerebral cortex. That is the same rhetoric men use to justify men in power making laws about our bodies. And the author is pro choice, so I do not want this to read like a hate review because it’s not. Like I stated in the beginning, imperfect friends. And I’ve been an imperfect friend myself, too. So I am by no means perfect, I don’t have the right answer or know how to solve every systemic issue and I am also very flawed myself. I just took issue with some of the things said when discussing abortion, birth control, the claim that you just have to imagine you’re miscarrying and you will. I don’t find that helpful. It seems (and she states this herself, and says that it will read like this) like something a white woman would write when having access to abortion and options. I worry someone might read this and miss the window for their ability to obtain a medical abortion, or take too much pennyroyal and die.
Also, I know this book was written 22 years ago, but listening to:
1. A white woman list slurs for people of color.
2. The same woman who admitted she’s never been a whore herself, call sex workers “prostitutes” and “streetwalkers.”
Made me feel nauseous. Why isn’t this edited out of the audiobook? This just feels like another societal blindness from the author’s worldview.
She recalls telling a nurse who’s never had an abortion to “not fucking speak” to her for saying she knows how she feels, but then turns around in the next chapter and does the same when it comes to sex workers. Idk. And like I said, I know the author states her privilege and what intersections of oppression she faces in the beginning of the book. Though a lot more of this book made me feel gross than it made me feel enlightened.
Two stars for the writing style, and the chapters that I did really enjoy. I may read her more recent works to see if those might resonate with me more.
I enjoyed the first few chapters and the author’s writing style. I really liked how she reflected on her readers’ reactions to her. It was very sweet to read what seems like a genuine and heartfelt homage to her readers and how they affect her. Truly Beautiful. I loved the idea of a period party where people with uteruses could celebrate one another. It seems a lot better than the shame that I (and a lot of other women) grew up with.
However, I will admit I only read half of the chapter titles Reproductive Control for Cunts. As someone who organizes protests for the right to abortion, reproductive justice, and bodily autonomy, I do disagree with a lot of the author’s sentiments. And do find her personal experiences to be a tad biased. Not everyone is traumatized from an abortion. Every person is different. Parts of this chapter felt like real fear mongering. When she says she worries that women will regularly use Plan B as birth control, I think my eyes rolled back so far I could see my cerebral cortex. That is the same rhetoric men use to justify men in power making laws about our bodies. And the author is pro choice, so I do not want this to read like a hate review because it’s not. Like I stated in the beginning, imperfect friends. And I’ve been an imperfect friend myself, too. So I am by no means perfect, I don’t have the right answer or know how to solve every systemic issue and I am also very flawed myself. I just took issue with some of the things said when discussing abortion, birth control, the claim that you just have to imagine you’re miscarrying and you will. I don’t find that helpful. It seems (and she states this herself, and says that it will read like this) like something a white woman would write when having access to abortion and options. I worry someone might read this and miss the window for their ability to obtain a medical abortion, or take too much pennyroyal and die.
Also, I know this book was written 22 years ago, but listening to:
1. A white woman list slurs for people of color.
2. The same woman who admitted she’s never been a whore herself, call sex workers “prostitutes” and “streetwalkers.”
Made me feel nauseous. Why isn’t this edited out of the audiobook? This just feels like another societal blindness from the author’s worldview.
She recalls telling a nurse who’s never had an abortion to “not fucking speak” to her for saying she knows how she feels, but then turns around in the next chapter and does the same when it comes to sex workers. Idk. And like I said, I know the author states her privilege and what intersections of oppression she faces in the beginning of the book. Though a lot more of this book made me feel gross than it made me feel enlightened.
Two stars for the writing style, and the chapters that I did really enjoy. I may read her more recent works to see if those might resonate with me more.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book was a wild ride. I decided to read Cunt as my first book of 2025 because it was the book that has remained on my Goodreads TBR for the longest amount of time (12 years and some change). There were a few spots in the book where I felt like I was getting useful knowledge or information to thoughtfully ponder, but overall it just felt a bit unhinged. The author used extended metaphors A LOT and I would get lost trying to follow them. Additionally, the writing often felt contradictory (like a whole section of her using very jarring/offensive language followed by her saying who is allowed to say what words/slurs). Also - (spoiler ahead) - early in the book the author discusses her experience with using her mind/will to facilitate her own at home abortion. Maybe I am lacking in spirituality as an agnostic or maybe I’m not the “right kind” of feminist, but I honestly just COULD NOT get beyond this - it was described very graphically and without any thought for the emotional or physical trauma that could be caused to someone trying to do such a thing on their own. I support the need for someone to get an abortion, but I do NOT support the idea that someone can do this solely with their mind and the instructions listed in this book. All that said, I am very appreciative to have learned the root meaning of the word VAGINA (a sheath for a sword - - no really I double checked that!) and I am thankful for the extensive list of books, music, and movies made by women that is listed at the back of the book.
This book has a lot of great things to say. It also says some stuff that I don't agree with and/or really pissed me off. But it asks interesting questions, is very female and sex positive and is bursting with great recommendations for other books, businesses, organizations and products to check out.
Warning: This book is pretty vulgar. I suppose the title could have tipped you off. Oddly, I expected a more academic book. A look at the word its history and its affect on our society. Muscio is anything but academic. She is an artist, and the book is filled with personal anecdotes and her thoughts on life. There is no stuffy distance between her and her writing.
Her approbation of menstrual blood made me uncomfortable (she enjoys watching it splash to the floor). Her retelling of her 3 abortions, the last of which was a supposed triumph of the power of positive thinking and sisterhood, made me really glad I teach about condom use and birth control on a daily basis.
But eventually, around the chapter on rape, she kind of won me over. Women come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Some smart, some not. Some weak, others extremely strong. All of us are affected by the extremely violent subjugation that is rape. It limits our freedom, our security and our collective sense of self. I’m willing to bet every woman in America has had some experience with rape. Either personal, or a friend, family member or news story has shaken them. What are almost worse than the act itself are the silence and the shame that go with it. The most obvious counter attack, she explains, is noise. As a united front we need to put our foot down. If a rapist is known, gather 30 women on his front lawn and tell him straight out that his action will not be tolerated. Let everyone at his workplace know what he’s done. Same for spousal abuse, or any act of violence against women. If all women united in this, who would be hiding in shame?
I never really thought of myself as a feminist. We are all equal. This book helped me see some of the sexism that still lingers in our society. It showed me that there is work yet to be done in order to obtain our god given equality. That’s enough for me to overlook the sloppy writing style.
Her approbation of menstrual blood made me uncomfortable (she enjoys watching it splash to the floor). Her retelling of her 3 abortions, the last of which was a supposed triumph of the power of positive thinking and sisterhood, made me really glad I teach about condom use and birth control on a daily basis.
But eventually, around the chapter on rape, she kind of won me over. Women come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Some smart, some not. Some weak, others extremely strong. All of us are affected by the extremely violent subjugation that is rape. It limits our freedom, our security and our collective sense of self. I’m willing to bet every woman in America has had some experience with rape. Either personal, or a friend, family member or news story has shaken them. What are almost worse than the act itself are the silence and the shame that go with it. The most obvious counter attack, she explains, is noise. As a united front we need to put our foot down. If a rapist is known, gather 30 women on his front lawn and tell him straight out that his action will not be tolerated. Let everyone at his workplace know what he’s done. Same for spousal abuse, or any act of violence against women. If all women united in this, who would be hiding in shame?
I never really thought of myself as a feminist. We are all equal. This book helped me see some of the sexism that still lingers in our society. It showed me that there is work yet to be done in order to obtain our god given equality. That’s enough for me to overlook the sloppy writing style.
I was pulled in at first by the word on the front cover. Learning the history of the word was fun, but then the book goes so much further.
I have seen some negative reviews about the book content, which surprised me considering one of the final sections of the book contains this line:
"Everyone has something to teach you. What they are teaching and what you learn, well, that's up to you."
There was some wonderful information to be found, even if I didn't agree with every point Inga made. And the section dedicated to other artists is amazing! I'm going to be using it as a checklist to get through now!!
I have seen some negative reviews about the book content, which surprised me considering one of the final sections of the book contains this line:
"Everyone has something to teach you. What they are teaching and what you learn, well, that's up to you."
There was some wonderful information to be found, even if I didn't agree with every point Inga made. And the section dedicated to other artists is amazing! I'm going to be using it as a checklist to get through now!!
Discovering this book by chance at a used book store in Lawrence, Kansas was serendipitous. The title alone caught my attention, and the back cover blurbs by Joan Jett and Margaret Cho convinced me to purchase. Though some Goodreaders have criticized Muscio's style and grammar, I appreciate her unique, non-conventional, and iconoclastic voice. Her writing is never dry or boring, and she has so much important wisdom to share about the over-bearing, consumeristic, misogynistic society we call America. The chapter on acrimony between women spoke to me personally, mainly because I have been the victim and culprit of female passive aggression. We must address this behavior and see it for what it truly is. Muscio asserts, "The idea of acknowledging the presence of acrimony between all women is pretty dang-awful daunting to me. It extends far past jealousy, cattiness, and general shitass vibes into highly oppressive forms of ageism, classism, homophobia, objectification and racism." I will keep Cunt: A Declaration of Independence close by for a second read not only because it was empowering, but also because Muscio offers an extensive list of resources including books. My "to-reads" just grew by at least 15. Finally, her credits and thanks at the end of the book is awesome. She remembers to thank some of the most important professionals, librarians. She writes, "Librarians are unheralded revolutionaries, and without them, all semblances of "civilization" that this country still manages to muster from time to time would be shot to shit."
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Cunt is always a 5 star read. This is my second read through and I’m still learning new things from it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Here's a link to a book review I posted on my blog:
http://angleboc.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-i-became-cuntlovin-ruler-of-my.html
http://angleboc.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-i-became-cuntlovin-ruler-of-my.html