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beedew's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This book was an Impeccably researched and thorough exploration of the riot grrrl movement that captured its vital years in all their complexity.
savaging's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the idea of unapologetic, in-your-face young feminists. But the book fell flat for me. This could be because the actual Riot Grrrl movement wasn't as full and rich as other moments in feminist history; or it could be the fault of the lackluster writing; or it could be my own lack of heart, as a person who came to feminism through Wollstonecraft instead of Bratmobile.
emily2348's review against another edition
3.5
pretty decent summary history of riot grrrl not really much else to say about it
laschipa's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Bullying and Incest
graveyardpansy's review against another edition
4.0
i didn’t wanna get my hopes up about this book but it was really enjoyable!! felt personal but not overly so, didn’t shy away from conflict but didn’t glorify it, and even though it’s been out for a while nothing feels outdated in an offensive way. my only complaints are i do wish it interacted more with queercore, bc it and riot grrrl had a lot more overlaps than i feel were present in this history. sometimes the politics were a little lackluster for my tastes, but that’s on the author rather than the movement; and there were many points where genuinely insightful political points /were/ made. finally i wish it had footnotes instead of endnotes, but that’s personal preference. solid 4 stars, would happily recommend to people that are clueless about riot grrrl.
my other important (imo) critique is that nothing should be considered a “definitive” or tell-all about counterculture movements, and this definitely attempts that. but that could also definitely be up to the editors.
my other important (imo) critique is that nothing should be considered a “definitive” or tell-all about counterculture movements, and this definitely attempts that. but that could also definitely be up to the editors.
bjdarby's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual assault
nicolebeans's review against another edition
pretty good, not perfect
but i love a book like this that is factual about music but also has a strong narrative bc of the personal memoir-type parts. it kept me pretty hooked
but i love a book like this that is factual about music but also has a strong narrative bc of the personal memoir-type parts. it kept me pretty hooked
horrorclassics's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Girls To the Front could also be aptly titled Kathleen Hanna Supremacy: Rise and Fall of an Alt Rock Feminist Movement. This is a thoughtful, insightful, and well researched exploration of riot grrrl. This is a very niche nonfiction read. Maybe you’re yearning for a reminder of those hazy pre-internet DIY days filled with mix tapes and xeroxed zines. Perhaps you’re curious about the players and behind the scenes action and what inspired them. GTTF looks at how riot grrl contingents in DC and Olympia, WA took up space and took no shit. As a movement, riot grrl was undoubtedly rooted in white feminism. Reading about the incidents at the ‘93 convention makes it clear that this burgeoning movement wasn’t ready/equipped to look deeply at its racial and class divides. As the history unfolds, it becomes clear that mainstream media depictions of riot grrl (and the accompanying narrative) are what led to the group’s eventual end. This is nonfiction that reads like a novel, and intersperses song lyrics and zine images into the text. Read if you’re interested but don’t bother with the Goodreads reviews, which read like a petty punk rock message board full of infighting. 😬
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Biphobia, Sexual harassment, and Sexism