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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
4.5
I am trash for celebrity memoirs, and that was what I was expecting going into this. What I got was so much more - an intersectional, feminist, stark look at the writing and modeling industries, as well as the world at large.
Nothing in this book is new or earth shattering for anyone who identifies as a feminist, but Moss brings a unique voice and approachable tone to the conversation. There is never a sense of 'this is what I believe, and if you don't you are incorrect', which sometimes can be an undercurrent to social commentary. She makes the ideas, viewpoints and importance of intersectional feminism feel obtainable, and I think this would be a great introduction to anyone not versed in feminism.
Relevant, thought-provoking and well-written, I really enjoyed and connected with this book!
I am trash for celebrity memoirs, and that was what I was expecting going into this. What I got was so much more - an intersectional, feminist, stark look at the writing and modeling industries, as well as the world at large.
Nothing in this book is new or earth shattering for anyone who identifies as a feminist, but Moss brings a unique voice and approachable tone to the conversation. There is never a sense of 'this is what I believe, and if you don't you are incorrect', which sometimes can be an undercurrent to social commentary. She makes the ideas, viewpoints and importance of intersectional feminism feel obtainable, and I think this would be a great introduction to anyone not versed in feminism.
Relevant, thought-provoking and well-written, I really enjoyed and connected with this book!
Tara Moss has been labelled many things and in this part memoir and social commentary she sets out to dissect those labels.
This book is dense in ideas, analysis, and research you find yourself finishing each chapter pondering what has been laid out before you. That is a good thing as there is no lecturing in this book as Moss is not trying to push an agenda. Let me be clear Moss is not telling you what to believe, whether to be a feminist or not, she is clearly present and articulating a series of issues, scenarios, and stereotypes that are flung at women (and men) on a daily basis.
What Moss does is explore the issues through research and personal experience and questions why does it have to be this way. The questions are posed as to why in today’s society when we have come so far are women underrepresented in films, why are women still fighting for the right to be in control of their body, why are women paid on average less than men and so many more pertinent questions are posed. That is perhaps what I liked most about the book was the continual questioning of accepted practice and views. Moss does her best to present a balanced reasoned argument and on the whole does succeed in achieving this.
Moss discusses the impact advertising, media, politics, and religion (to a lesser extent) has had and continues to have on women. This is backed up by extensive research and her personal experiences. It is those personal experiences that are some of the difficult passages to read and they need to be read in context of the chapters they are placed. Otherwise the impact of her experience and the point she is trying to convey is diminished.
The latest ‘trend’ of beautiful women wearing no makeup is discussed and I found myself intrigued by the arguments put forth. I have been watching from the sidelines how going without makeup in the public eye makes a woman braver or more daring. I had been trying to figure why it was necessary for women to ‘dress down’ to be considered a trailblazer. Just like why there is sudden need to come out and publically say ‘I am a feminist’. I do not find that as disturbing as the group perpetuating that being a feminist means you do not believe in being a homemaker. Excuse my naivety but feminism too me has always been about equality, the ability for a woman to make a choice of her own. If she wants to be a stay at home mother, I respect her right to choose the same if she chooses to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Being a feminist is not about exclusivity but inclusion.
What Tara Moss has written is a thought provoking exploration in a very straight forward style. You are able to absorb her commentary and consider the issues that are raised. This is a good book for men and women to read. I am considering giving this to my teenage niece as I believe she would benefit from a book that provides insight into difficulties and triumphs of a being a woman.
This book is dense in ideas, analysis, and research you find yourself finishing each chapter pondering what has been laid out before you. That is a good thing as there is no lecturing in this book as Moss is not trying to push an agenda. Let me be clear Moss is not telling you what to believe, whether to be a feminist or not, she is clearly present and articulating a series of issues, scenarios, and stereotypes that are flung at women (and men) on a daily basis.
What Moss does is explore the issues through research and personal experience and questions why does it have to be this way. The questions are posed as to why in today’s society when we have come so far are women underrepresented in films, why are women still fighting for the right to be in control of their body, why are women paid on average less than men and so many more pertinent questions are posed. That is perhaps what I liked most about the book was the continual questioning of accepted practice and views. Moss does her best to present a balanced reasoned argument and on the whole does succeed in achieving this.
Moss discusses the impact advertising, media, politics, and religion (to a lesser extent) has had and continues to have on women. This is backed up by extensive research and her personal experiences. It is those personal experiences that are some of the difficult passages to read and they need to be read in context of the chapters they are placed. Otherwise the impact of her experience and the point she is trying to convey is diminished.
The latest ‘trend’ of beautiful women wearing no makeup is discussed and I found myself intrigued by the arguments put forth. I have been watching from the sidelines how going without makeup in the public eye makes a woman braver or more daring. I had been trying to figure why it was necessary for women to ‘dress down’ to be considered a trailblazer. Just like why there is sudden need to come out and publically say ‘I am a feminist’. I do not find that as disturbing as the group perpetuating that being a feminist means you do not believe in being a homemaker. Excuse my naivety but feminism too me has always been about equality, the ability for a woman to make a choice of her own. If she wants to be a stay at home mother, I respect her right to choose the same if she chooses to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Being a feminist is not about exclusivity but inclusion.
What Tara Moss has written is a thought provoking exploration in a very straight forward style. You are able to absorb her commentary and consider the issues that are raised. This is a good book for men and women to read. I am considering giving this to my teenage niece as I believe she would benefit from a book that provides insight into difficulties and triumphs of a being a woman.
I was inclined to dismiss this book. I have read something by Tara Moss before (it was fiction) and so was expecting liberal feminism at best I think. I may have also been dismissive because she's been known as a model, I would hope I am not like that but it's worth interrogating that possibility.
As I read it, at first I still thought of it as an oversimplified "feminism 101" which I have to acknowledge is useful especially for younger women brought up steeped in patriarchy and also for men like my sons. At times it became more complex and challenging than I expected, the chapter on models and images of models was very keen to cut through the "common sense" and critique the benign capitalism feminisms-lite. Not that Moss brings a thorough critique of capitalism in, at first I was extremely disappointed by that also that her defense of images in magazines boiled down to "but I like them".
There were contradictions here, and I am not sure whether to see them as sloppiness in her writing/scholarship or as a gambit to leave open things she dare not say (eg the aforementioned critique of capitalism). Initially I saw it as sloppiness, reading the last few chapters though (where Moss decides to stop with the chatty niceness and show some real intellect) I am not so sure. Either that or she evolved as she wrote and couldn't be bothered rewriting. There are also editors and publishers and all sorts of people involved and the "feminist" chapter might have pushed enough buttons so she needed to behave herself elsewhere from their point of view. To me even the "feminist" chapter was very gentle and careful but I thought she slayed to some degree there.
I don't think the Moss of this book has finished evolving as a writer. I don't think she even thinks she is anywhere near finished. The stuff about being unashamedly beautiful was "meh" to me as an unbeautiful woman (although I don;t think being nice looking is a crime) but the stuff about aging added some context. What came through for me ultimately was a woman who enjoys being intelligent and wants to run with that. More power to her pen!
As I read it, at first I still thought of it as an oversimplified "feminism 101" which I have to acknowledge is useful especially for younger women brought up steeped in patriarchy and also for men like my sons. At times it became more complex and challenging than I expected, the chapter on models and images of models was very keen to cut through the "common sense" and critique the benign capitalism feminisms-lite. Not that Moss brings a thorough critique of capitalism in, at first I was extremely disappointed by that also that her defense of images in magazines boiled down to "but I like them".
There were contradictions here, and I am not sure whether to see them as sloppiness in her writing/scholarship or as a gambit to leave open things she dare not say (eg the aforementioned critique of capitalism). Initially I saw it as sloppiness, reading the last few chapters though (where Moss decides to stop with the chatty niceness and show some real intellect) I am not so sure. Either that or she evolved as she wrote and couldn't be bothered rewriting. There are also editors and publishers and all sorts of people involved and the "feminist" chapter might have pushed enough buttons so she needed to behave herself elsewhere from their point of view. To me even the "feminist" chapter was very gentle and careful but I thought she slayed to some degree there.
I don't think the Moss of this book has finished evolving as a writer. I don't think she even thinks she is anywhere near finished. The stuff about being unashamedly beautiful was "meh" to me as an unbeautiful woman (although I don;t think being nice looking is a crime) but the stuff about aging added some context. What came through for me ultimately was a woman who enjoys being intelligent and wants to run with that. More power to her pen!
The Fictional Woman is much more than a memoir, Tara takes on the many issues facing women today. From equality in the workplace to motherhood, from the place of advertising in our lives today to the way we tell each other stories, this is a book which needs to be read by men and women. Well written, clearly argued, informative, powerful and thought provoking. Forget everything you thought you knew about Tara Moss, with The Fictional Woman, Tara sets the record straight and takes her place as one of our generations great commentators.
I am so thankful to my sister for suggesting this book to me. The Fictional Woman evokes so many emotions in me as a woman, mother, wife and author. It is a book I believe should be read by all.
Tara gives us a look into her life, openly sharing some of the horrific details from her younger years. She does this to start a conversation. Because without these conversations, these issues go unnoticed, swept under the rug in the "it won't happen to me" category. But the truth is, these things do happen. I, myself, know many women who have suffered in silence as they went through miscarriage and/or abortion, rape or sexual/verbal abuse. It's not until we begin to have these conversations, that we realise just how far we've got to go in making our society a truly equal one.
She also covers the stereotypes that people are held to based primarily on their looks, gender or race. I will admit, I have been guilty of applying such stereotypes to people in my past, and even in my own writing, I have created characters typical of what is expected. This is something I will endeavour to work on. It's something we should all work on.
One of the things that really got to me, as a mother, was the inequality of toys produced and aimed at specific genders. The fact that boys toys are aimed at action, adventure, maths and science, with little to no inclusion of anything to suggest that boys can also be nurturing. Whereas toys aimed at girls are based mainly on appearance and nurture, ie: baby dolls, fashion accessories, kitchen sets. Very little is aimed at girls being adventurous, or intellectual. This is shown in educational toys where the 'boys' computer will have twice as many functions as the 'girls' one that is pretty and pink.
This book is truly thought-provoking. It makes you question the status quo, and opens your eyes to the inequality we face in this patriarchal society.
Tara gives us a look into her life, openly sharing some of the horrific details from her younger years. She does this to start a conversation. Because without these conversations, these issues go unnoticed, swept under the rug in the "it won't happen to me" category. But the truth is, these things do happen. I, myself, know many women who have suffered in silence as they went through miscarriage and/or abortion, rape or sexual/verbal abuse. It's not until we begin to have these conversations, that we realise just how far we've got to go in making our society a truly equal one.
She also covers the stereotypes that people are held to based primarily on their looks, gender or race. I will admit, I have been guilty of applying such stereotypes to people in my past, and even in my own writing, I have created characters typical of what is expected. This is something I will endeavour to work on. It's something we should all work on.
One of the things that really got to me, as a mother, was the inequality of toys produced and aimed at specific genders. The fact that boys toys are aimed at action, adventure, maths and science, with little to no inclusion of anything to suggest that boys can also be nurturing. Whereas toys aimed at girls are based mainly on appearance and nurture, ie: baby dolls, fashion accessories, kitchen sets. Very little is aimed at girls being adventurous, or intellectual. This is shown in educational toys where the 'boys' computer will have twice as many functions as the 'girls' one that is pretty and pink.
This book is truly thought-provoking. It makes you question the status quo, and opens your eyes to the inequality we face in this patriarchal society.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I've revised my rating because I am just lingeringly annoyed by Moss's take on life for women in Spain. My husband is Spanish and we have traveled there frequently, as all his family are there. Moss makes a lot of statements about Spanish women, their appearance, their ability to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and they are all based on her rather boutique experience of going there on a trip to promote her work. The reality for Spanish women is rather a bit uglier in that the lingering machismo and sexism can make day to day life unpleasant for women, especially women walking around on their own, etc. A good case in point, this recent "social experiment" that was detailed in a liberal Spanish paper, El Pais:
http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2015/10/29/articulo/1446141466_816484.html
The video itself is no longer at the same youtube account but I found a full-length version of it (10 minutes long) here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3293049/Woman-pretends-drunk-broad-daylight-men-react-shock-you.html#v-8160984566598485894
Watch the video, subtitled in English. Does the reality described therein seem like Tara Moss's Spain? No, it does not. And this brings me back to a fundamental question. Has Tara fallen victim to the same problem she recounts? Did her assumptions based on the appearance and clothing of Spanish women dictate her impressions of their actual life?
Tara Moss has raised many a good point in this book, which I still want my daughter to read, because I think it makes feminism more accessible, via Moss's career and public persona, to young people. But the book isn't the gospel.
http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2015/10/29/articulo/1446141466_816484.html
The video itself is no longer at the same youtube account but I found a full-length version of it (10 minutes long) here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3293049/Woman-pretends-drunk-broad-daylight-men-react-shock-you.html#v-8160984566598485894
Watch the video, subtitled in English. Does the reality described therein seem like Tara Moss's Spain? No, it does not. And this brings me back to a fundamental question. Has Tara fallen victim to the same problem she recounts? Did her assumptions based on the appearance and clothing of Spanish women dictate her impressions of their actual life?
Tara Moss has raised many a good point in this book, which I still want my daughter to read, because I think it makes feminism more accessible, via Moss's career and public persona, to young people. But the book isn't the gospel.
A series of essays examining the roles of women in public life that is eye opening. Reading this book I got angry, and I then I got determined about ensuring that the world my daughter grows up in doesn't marginalise women. Moss writes with passion and uses statistics to prove her point. A brilliant and important read.
I wanted to love this, I really did. But it was unnecessarily drawn out, and I struggled to stay interested from the beginning to end of each chapter. It plodded where it should have raged, and each chapter should have been half the length. Still glad to have read it, but it's less original or striking than I hoped.
Some very good analysis of feminist issues, particularly regarding media and popular culture, with interesting stories from Tara Moss's life. My main negative point is that it was a bit repetitive and could have been shorter.