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Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'
Women Don't Owe You Pretty: The Small Edition by Florence Given
5 reviews
bunnyprincess's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.5
Most of the reviews on here carry the same sort of sentiment: 'I'm not the target audience of this book'. I think this accurately summarises my main issue with it: I don't really understand what the actual point of the book is, and who it is for.
It is simply worded and explains very basic concepts, sometimes in a manner which feels quite condescending, which would suggest it is for a younger audience newer to the idea presented, but this would not make sense as the book is quite explicit and definitely not appropriate for younger teens. Given clearly addresses the messages in it to women whilst simultaneously saying that men are the issue- again, I think this makes the audience of the book unclear.
Additionally, the purpose is unclear. Whilst the title suggests a focus on feminism, it is also about dating and queerness that sometimes is tied in but usually isn't. This gives the book a very unclear point. It does not clearly fit into a genre and includes both memoir and self-help. I found the memoir parts more useful and entertaining because it gives reason for her to actually have written the book based on her experiences. The self-help parts were far less successful. It is repetitive and vague: whilst I do not disagree with any of her points, they are very basic and surface-level.
My main issue with this book is its regard for intersection feminism and other identities other than Given's own. Whilst I appreciate her recognition of those identities and their further struggles, it felt performative and poorly done. It often felt like they weren't real due to the disconnect in her writing about POC, trans and disabled women, and the lack of voice she gives to them. Although it was mentioned, it was through her own white cis narration- if she had included their actual voices, it would've been a far better book. This, in addition to the issues around her copying a black author's book, makes this book a bad feminist guide.
Whilst this book has some merit in the pretty illustrations and the transparency on some issues such as sexual assault, it fails in most other areas. It is bad both as an beginners introduction due to its lack of clarity and as a further read due to its lack of representation and surface-level observations. It also very rarely references studies and facts- it seems more guided by the author's opinion which would be fine if it was written and marketed purely as a memoir, but it is not. There are far better feminist books.
It is simply worded and explains very basic concepts, sometimes in a manner which feels quite condescending, which would suggest it is for a younger audience newer to the idea presented, but this would not make sense as the book is quite explicit and definitely not appropriate for younger teens. Given clearly addresses the messages in it to women whilst simultaneously saying that men are the issue- again, I think this makes the audience of the book unclear.
Additionally, the purpose is unclear. Whilst the title suggests a focus on feminism, it is also about dating and queerness that sometimes is tied in but usually isn't. This gives the book a very unclear point. It does not clearly fit into a genre and includes both memoir and self-help. I found the memoir parts more useful and entertaining because it gives reason for her to actually have written the book based on her experiences. The self-help parts were far less successful. It is repetitive and vague: whilst I do not disagree with any of her points, they are very basic and surface-level.
My main issue with this book is its regard for intersection feminism and other identities other than Given's own. Whilst I appreciate her recognition of those identities and their further struggles, it felt performative and poorly done. It often felt like they weren't real due to the disconnect in her writing about POC, trans and disabled women, and the lack of voice she gives to them. Although it was mentioned, it was through her own white cis narration- if she had included their actual voices, it would've been a far better book. This, in addition to the issues around her copying a black author's book, makes this book a bad feminist guide.
Whilst this book has some merit in the pretty illustrations and the transparency on some issues such as sexual assault, it fails in most other areas. It is bad both as an beginners introduction due to its lack of clarity and as a further read due to its lack of representation and surface-level observations. It also very rarely references studies and facts- it seems more guided by the author's opinion which would be fine if it was written and marketed purely as a memoir, but it is not. There are far better feminist books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Racial slurs, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
avispa_nightriver's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Racism, and Transphobia
bri__'s review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Very informative and reflective book. I understand more about patriarchal and societal problems within the modern world after reading this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Excrement, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Racism, and Rape
alomie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This was the book I needed in my twenties.
Very inspirational, moving and a real hard check your self before you wreck yourself.
I think this book would be an ideal gift for someone heading into university or even maybe a bit before.
Its an interesting look at the male and female gaze.
Not all of it was for me but all of it seemed to be solid advice.
I enjoyed it and will refer back to it.
Each chapter had warnings if it had anything that might trigger anyone which was a nice touch.
Very inspirational, moving and a real hard check your self before you wreck yourself.
I think this book would be an ideal gift for someone heading into university or even maybe a bit before.
Its an interesting look at the male and female gaze.
Not all of it was for me but all of it seemed to be solid advice.
I enjoyed it and will refer back to it.
Each chapter had warnings if it had anything that might trigger anyone which was a nice touch.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Transphobia, and Toxic relationship
justcallmeeej's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Racism, and Racial slurs
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