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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
There were so many points in this book that were ah-ha moments, and then once I thought about them they shouldn’t have been. It’s obvious. We just don’t think about them because this is what movies, fairytales, and society have sold us - especially women - from birth. This is a real discussion starter. If the conversations this book starts make you uncomfortable, it’s time to evaluate why you’re uncomfortable instead of writing this off as radical or feminist or woke.
Insightful, funny, and depressing all at the same time. Made me feel bad for straight women and even more mad at straight men. Heterosexuality is deeply tragic and straight women deserve better. the intersections of the queer community and the social aspects of queer sex in both modern and historical contexts are insightful and blend beautifully with the critiques of straight culture from a queer perspective.
There were interesting points made here, but some things I need to think more about and learn more about before I make a decision about how I feel about them/what I think about them.
This was a frustrating read, because - in my opinion - the title is very misleading. While it has many interesting points and there are things I’ll take away and carry into future social interactions (which is a good thing), I was hoping for humor and didn’t get any. This is not a critique on heterosexual culture discussed through the lens of queer culture (which is what I had thought it would be). Instead, it is an exploration of misogyny through the lens of heterosexual culture.
Obviously, the latter topic is very important; it’s more pervasive. But I picked this up hoping for a comedic (see: the title) exploration of how traditional gender roles restrict straight people from exploring parts of themselves that queer culture widely embraces. Instead, I got a discussion about how patriarchy is the root of heterosexual prudishness, how queer people simultaneously find that repression annoying and resent it, and how women suffer the most of every group in this dynamic (the author even adds a “this affects gay men too, but women, more) at one point. And it was just ok. Not much new here.
Finally, in fairness, had I done more research upfront I would have known what to expect, so my frustration is my own fault. So don’t let my feelings deter you.
Obviously, the latter topic is very important; it’s more pervasive. But I picked this up hoping for a comedic (see: the title) exploration of how traditional gender roles restrict straight people from exploring parts of themselves that queer culture widely embraces. Instead, I got a discussion about how patriarchy is the root of heterosexual prudishness, how queer people simultaneously find that repression annoying and resent it, and how women suffer the most of every group in this dynamic (the author even adds a “this affects gay men too, but women, more) at one point. And it was just ok. Not much new here.
Finally, in fairness, had I done more research upfront I would have known what to expect, so my frustration is my own fault. So don’t let my feelings deter you.
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
enjoyable and thought provoking, i love ward’s work
challenging
informative
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence
Minor: Homophobia
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced