Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given

24 reviews

0xytocinn's review

informative inspiring fast-paced

3.25

I was initially really enamoured with this book, and I feel that it's a fantastic introduction to feminism. I put it as a recommendation on my instagram as I've got so many friends who would benefit from the messages in it, but there aren't really any new ideas portrayed. It didn't really tell me anything I hadn't already seen on Tumblr in 2014, but, I have to give the book credit for it's accessibility. It's also gorgeously presented. More a coffee table book than anything.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

curatoriallyyours's review

challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

3.5

This book has a lot of important things to say about who we are as women and why things are the way they are, as well as practical advice for moving past some of the roadblocks and common traumas experienced by women. It encourages introspection and is a book you could come back to again and again to ground yourself as particular situations emerge.

The author of this book was 21 at the time of writing and, to be sure, exhibits wisdom beyond her age. However, I wonder if she'd have written the same book in ten or twenty years time. At the time of writing this review, I'm 38, and a lot of the things she is absolute about are grey areas for me. I also think that some of her advice could be not applicable or even dangerous for some people. For example, not everyone is in a safe position to break up with a partner if they find themselves in a difficult situation. Partnerships occur for lots of different reasons and in many cultural situations, so someone whose parents force them into a marriage, for example, might not be able to follow this black and white advice safely. I think it is a matter of privilege - the privilege of being in a position to break up with a partner - and beyond that the privilege of being in a position to be introspective and make changes to your life in general. Also, on a slightly lighter note, I think some of the reasons why the author suggests breaking up with a partner are situations that are more nuanced than she implies.

Over all, I think this book is important and a good read. It is easily digestable in that it has short chapters that could really be read in any order, but it is also challenging in its content and made me think about some of the choices I've made and the context within which I've made them. If you're an older reader, you may not find everything in this book to be relevant to your circumstances - it really seems to be primarily aimed at women in their twenties - but there are some gems in there that make it worth your while.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Each chapter contains content warnings, which I found really thoughtful.

kleinearmee's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

carolinalopes's review

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault

Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, and Racism