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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Okay, this book is not exactly what I expected, but still it did not disappoint. I picked it up after listening to the author, Regena Thomashauer, speak about it with Marie Forleo. In the interview, Thomashauer spoke about how women have been worshipped for their femininity throughout ancient history but recently we have altered our collective mindset to hate femininity and look on it as weakness and as an undesirable trait. Girls and boys alike are told to "man up" and the ultimate insult to anyone is to be called a "pussy." So, clearly, to have a pussy is the worst thing you can do. And Thomashauer laughed and told Forleo that the last thing she ever wanted to do was to name her book "Pussy." The awkwardness of a name like that! People she loves will be embarrassed! But when she finally wrote the book, she knew that was the only title she could put on it. It sounded very reluctant.
This book is actually very confrontational from the first chapter. I was expecting to hear much more about ancient cultures and goddesses, but the book only mentions a few. The word "pussy" is not used reluctantly whatsoever. In fact it's used so much, along with some other terminology that I just couldn't quite get behind or relate to that I had to lower my rating by one star. But I hope that when a reader picks this up that they are able to see straight into the heart of the book. Her message about what it means to be a woman and how to embrace your femininity really is unique, inspiring, and empowering in a way that I have never experienced before.
I was also a bit surprised that this book really reads like a memoir in some aspects. Like a memoir workbook. She shares her personal account of childhood abuse and how it affected her relationships and how she was able to work through that and rise above and beyond it.
I would recommend this book to so many women. But because of the title (and admittedly much of the sensual content) it's hard to recommend to some of the people who I think could benefit the most from it (namely, ultra-conservative women). But I would especially recommend it to women with depression, women who have been abused or have experienced other trauma, women who have low self-esteem, women entrepreneurs, feminists, women who think they're having sex the wrong way, women who dislike sex, women who have never experienced an orgasm, men who have never been able to deliver an orgasm to a woman, men who want to understand women better, gay women and TG people, and so many more! Why does this book have to have such an abrasive title?! (After you read the book, the title won't bother you as much.) I will probably purchase a copy for myself and extra copies to gift when opportunities arise. Because let's be real: many people will be embarrassed to buy it for themselves or borrow from the library!
This book is actually very confrontational from the first chapter. I was expecting to hear much more about ancient cultures and goddesses, but the book only mentions a few. The word "pussy" is not used reluctantly whatsoever. In fact it's used so much, along with some other terminology that I just couldn't quite get behind or relate to that I had to lower my rating by one star. But I hope that when a reader picks this up that they are able to see straight into the heart of the book. Her message about what it means to be a woman and how to embrace your femininity really is unique, inspiring, and empowering in a way that I have never experienced before.
I was also a bit surprised that this book really reads like a memoir in some aspects. Like a memoir workbook. She shares her personal account of childhood abuse and how it affected her relationships and how she was able to work through that and rise above and beyond it.
I would recommend this book to so many women. But because of the title (and admittedly much of the sensual content) it's hard to recommend to some of the people who I think could benefit the most from it (namely, ultra-conservative women). But I would especially recommend it to women with depression, women who have been abused or have experienced other trauma, women who have low self-esteem, women entrepreneurs, feminists, women who think they're having sex the wrong way, women who dislike sex, women who have never experienced an orgasm, men who have never been able to deliver an orgasm to a woman, men who want to understand women better, gay women and TG people, and so many more! Why does this book have to have such an abrasive title?! (After you read the book, the title won't bother you as much.) I will probably purchase a copy for myself and extra copies to gift when opportunities arise. Because let's be real: many people will be embarrassed to buy it for themselves or borrow from the library!
I had a hard time finishing this book due to the hypocritical tone and style. The title and premise give the impression it will be a book of feminist empowerment, which is the intention, I think, but it’s messages are conveyed with language and examples that constantly reminded me of patriarchal thinking, values, and orientation. Honestly, I felt bullied and told how and what I feel. It was difficult to relate to the author’s preachy approach. Many of the messages contradicted what I feel true feminine power is about, and left me feeling disappointed and upset. There are tones of white feminism and white-centeredness, which I believe is due to the author’s limited perspective and generation and I found it offensive and a step backward.
I am all about breaking norms and outdated gender roles, but the idea is not to shunt patriarchal power to women. That is still patriarchy. And that was the message I got from this book, themes of more+more=more.
It afforded two stars bc I think the author has the good intention of bringing women together, the authors tactics just weren’t very convincing to me. This work is informed by outdated ideas of power, gender and feminism. I would sooner choose another source for teachings on this topic.
Not my style.
I am all about breaking norms and outdated gender roles, but the idea is not to shunt patriarchal power to women. That is still patriarchy. And that was the message I got from this book, themes of more+more=more.
It afforded two stars bc I think the author has the good intention of bringing women together, the authors tactics just weren’t very convincing to me. This work is informed by outdated ideas of power, gender and feminism. I would sooner choose another source for teachings on this topic.
Not my style.
I was really disappointed by this book. The title is SO GOOD but the contents didn’t live up to it. Super repetitive and subpar writing, not queer friendly, very gender normy, and not really educational. I waffled between 2 and 3 stars, but landed on 3 because I did feel that immersing myself in the word “p*ssy” (added the * since idk what words will be flagged) and everything related was helpful on my journey of unlearning purity culture. But for those who are thinking about reading this, there are a lot better books to help with that. My faves to date are “Becoming Cliterate” and “A Celebration of Vulva Diversity.”
Definitely an interesting read. While I rarely agreed with her extremely hedonistic outlook on life, there were some great points she made regarding women's significance, how we downplay and self-sabotage based on our societal conditioning (at the hands of what she refers to as the Patriarchal World Culture), and how we need to make room for self care before pouring into others as is our calling. Our calling, as women is to bring our immense capacity to love and be compassionate in this world. That was my biggest takeaway from Pussy.
3.5 stars. Honestly, this was a really fun read for me. And I can see why some people were completely turned off from the writing. It's not everyone's cup of tea. I think the best approach is to get into this book with an open mind for something fun and wondrous.
Take the writing with a grain of salt. Yes, there are moments where the author's hidden conservative and old-fashioned views sneak through despite her outward liberal projection.
Yes, there are times where you will disagree with her idea of what sexy is, and that you don't need thigh-high boots for that. You may cringe a little when she says sister goddesses are encouraged to skate by your feelings and 'focus on the positive', the 'you can do it' attitude substituting empathy and being with someone in their sadness it despair.
But take the good stuff. Like listening to your pussy/core/root/divining rod/whatever you want to call it. Like tapping into your femininity and power. Like living your best life.
Take the writing with a grain of salt. Yes, there are moments where the author's hidden conservative and old-fashioned views sneak through despite her outward liberal projection.
Yes, there are times where you will disagree with her idea of what sexy is, and that you don't need thigh-high boots for that. You may cringe a little when she says sister goddesses are encouraged to skate by your feelings and 'focus on the positive', the 'you can do it' attitude substituting empathy and being with someone in their sadness it despair.
But take the good stuff. Like listening to your pussy/core/root/divining rod/whatever you want to call it. Like tapping into your femininity and power. Like living your best life.
So, not sure how to rate this book. There is a lot in it that I appreciated and thought a lot about. Yet at the same time, the "woo woo-ness" of it was a bit over the top. The author has a flair for creative names/phrases to bring about more Goddess-like language but it ended up making me detach from the content more than I wanted to. Overall, I really appreciated the chapters, the objectives of what she was trying to say, and how female bodies (the pussy) own so much power....and when women support each other, we are a powerful force. I just could have taken less of the Great Pussy in the Sky type of references.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced