Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Girlhood by Melissa Febos

11 reviews

annamary54's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

I struggled to get into this book, but the mirror test got me hooked. this really puts into words what it feels like to be a girl in a woman’s body. at times i was extremely uncomfortable reading this, in the best way. it forced me to reflect on my own life every essay. will be recommending to all of my friends. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Drug use, Body shaming, Sexual content, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Rape

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

bella_ruth's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Stalking, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Sexism

Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Bullying, Dysphoria, and Suicidal thoughts

snowiceblackfruit77's review

challenging emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Stalking, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Addiction, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Self harm

bashsbooks's review

challenging emotional informative slow-paced

4.5

A great collection of essays on Being (Perceived As) A Woman Under Patriarchy and all the fucky wucky stuff that comes along with that. A little more binary than what I usually prefer, but Febos' level of nuance makes up for the generalizations. The tagline on my copy of the book suggests that it's a good read for women of all kinds - mothers, daughters, sisters - but I think men would benefit a lot by reading it as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Sexism, Cursing, Misogyny, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Body shaming

Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, and Death of parent

cheezh8er's review

challenging reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, Drug use, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Addiction, and Sexual violence

eed8's review

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, Stalking, Drug use, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Sexism

savvylit's review

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

"These, once again, were events - not assaults, not victimizations, but not what I would call healthy sexual experimentation. That is, experiences that separated rather than integrated. I want to say that they were not 'normal' experiences, but, unfortunately, I think that one of the reasons we have no language to distinguish them is that such experiences are quite normal."

In Girlhood, Febos articulates the physical and emotional tolls of developing womanhood. The discomfort of getting used to the male gaze, the double standards of heterosexuality, the pressure to be polite and accommodating, the inherent fear of male violence, the purity myth, unenthusiastic consent, and so much more.

While many of the subjects discussed in Girlhood aren't necessarily groundbreaking by themselves, it's the way that Febos approaches them that is so unique and insightful. Febos blends personal anecdotes with experiences from other women and with analyses of cultural touchstones. For instance, in her essay about what it means to be defined as a 'slut', Febos analyzes the implications of the film Easy A.

Febos gives an eloquent voice to the hurt caused by pervasive & nebulous forms of sexual harassment, manipulation, and empty consent. Reading these essays felt like discovering a gift that I have always wanted - always needed - to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Bullying, Body shaming, Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

gtrue21's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Violence

anniefwrites's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Wow. You know a book is good when you want to go back and reread it right away. Melissa Febos's essay collection attributes microscopic attention to her past and finds common threads that weave together internalized misogyny, lack of agency, and stifled exploration of identity and sexuality. She has such a distinct voice and uses such inventive imagery to welcome the reader into her exhibition of vulnerability. For lack of a better word, this book is full of truth-bombs. I highlighted so much, and it's making me reflect on my own experiences as a girl growing up in a patriarchal society. An excellent read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Eating disorder

kay_jax's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

this was a surprisingly fantastic memoir to me! the mix of part research and part autobiography worked perfectly to create an honest and relatable narrative. i connected with the author’s ability to form seven thoughtful essays, each with their own personal subject matter. 

i think girlhood is a great book for uncovering a woman’s journey from adolescence to adulthood through raw and empathetic writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicidal thoughts