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adw7984's review against another edition
5.0
This book is everything that 50 shades is not. It is well written, it's sexy, it's relatable and no one's inner goddess made an appearance.
I know some people had a problem with the age gap between the unnamed main character and Tol. I didn't have a problem, I assumed she was about 16 or 17 (17 according the the back of the book interview) and I didn't figure he was much older than 25. Now I know it still seems odd, but I think it was open to interpretation and overall I really don't think that is what the book was about. Yes, their relationship was talked about a lot. However, the narrator is learning to love herself in a way and it's all about that relationship and how other people can feed into that relationship. She was able to accomplish what most women are unable to. She was confident and comfortable in her skin.
This is not a typical romance book, with rowdy sexual images. The sexuality displayed in this book is almost like poetry. It's beautiful and elegant. I loved how each chapter was actually a lesson, the words flowed so smoothly.
Even though I have no children, and I'm not married. This book really spoke to me, and I think that's the beauty of this book. Every woman can relate in some way, whether we feel stuck in a rut, or whether a relationship has brought us down in some way.
I've already ordered two of Nikki's other books, and I cannot wait to read them!
This book was provided for review on Confessions of a Bookaholic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I know some people had a problem with the age gap between the unnamed main character and Tol. I didn't have a problem, I assumed she was about 16 or 17 (17 according the the back of the book interview) and I didn't figure he was much older than 25. Now I know it still seems odd, but I think it was open to interpretation and overall I really don't think that is what the book was about. Yes, their relationship was talked about a lot. However, the narrator is learning to love herself in a way and it's all about that relationship and how other people can feed into that relationship. She was able to accomplish what most women are unable to. She was confident and comfortable in her skin.
This is not a typical romance book, with rowdy sexual images. The sexuality displayed in this book is almost like poetry. It's beautiful and elegant. I loved how each chapter was actually a lesson, the words flowed so smoothly.
Even though I have no children, and I'm not married. This book really spoke to me, and I think that's the beauty of this book. Every woman can relate in some way, whether we feel stuck in a rut, or whether a relationship has brought us down in some way.
I've already ordered two of Nikki's other books, and I cannot wait to read them!
This book was provided for review on Confessions of a Bookaholic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
nicolebonia's review against another edition
3.0
With My Body readily lends itself to both discussion and self-discovery – if you’re willing to probe into your beliefs, why you believe what you do, and how you have formed notions of what is appropriate. Gemmell excels in conveying the voice of this character, particularly as an adolescent, and the story concludes on a note that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.
busdjur's review against another edition
3.0
In some aspects I hate myself for enjoying this story. It is beautiful, recognisable, enchanting and full of nice descriptions of love and sex. At the same time it is kind of creepy...
A grown woman looks back on her life, sad over what her life became and remembering old times; when she was younger and was exploring her sexuality. Some of it bad and some of it good.
It is a beautiful story and I like the words flowing over the pages. I like the "you"-form which makes it even more recognisable. And it contains several insights that many women come to first in our adult lifes. I wish I had known several of them at a younger age than I did. And yeah - it is erotic and make my fantasy spinn which is kind of why I read this kind of books.
The creepy part is the ephebophilia I feel hidden in it´s pages. She is described as a school-girl which I know is a sexual fantasy for many so I can see why it is used in an erotic book. No age is ever mentioned so potentially she could be 18 years old and the story taking place the last summer before university studies and adulthood...but her behaviour is more like that of a 14-15 year old girl... and that makes my stomach turn...
A grown woman looks back on her life, sad over what her life became and remembering old times; when she was younger and was exploring her sexuality. Some of it bad and some of it good.
It is a beautiful story and I like the words flowing over the pages. I like the "you"-form which makes it even more recognisable. And it contains several insights that many women come to first in our adult lifes. I wish I had known several of them at a younger age than I did. And yeah - it is erotic and make my fantasy spinn which is kind of why I read this kind of books.
The creepy part is the ephebophilia I feel hidden in it´s pages. She is described as a school-girl which I know is a sexual fantasy for many so I can see why it is used in an erotic book. No age is ever mentioned so potentially she could be 18 years old and the story taking place the last summer before university studies and adulthood...but her behaviour is more like that of a 14-15 year old girl... and that makes my stomach turn...
heyelise's review against another edition
1.0
Plot: A middle aged woman unhappy in her marriage reminisces the sexual relationship she had with an older man the summer she turned 16.
I find this book really hard to rate/review...because I enjoyed it at first, but once I found out how sad, lonely, and desperate for her fathers love this character was as a child, I was disgusted by the relationship she cherishes so much. In fact, as she recalls her life, you see how messed up she is because of it. Sooo, NOT sexy. NOT hot. NOT erotic. Gross and weird.
Also, the whole book was written in second person and there were lessons at the beginning of each chapter that didn't make sense.
1.5 stars BECAUSE: I didn't stop reading and there was a twist that I enjoyed, even though I shouldn't have.mwahaha.
WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS.
I find this book really hard to rate/review...because I enjoyed it at first, but once I found out how sad, lonely, and desperate for her fathers love this character was as a child, I was disgusted by the relationship she cherishes so much. In fact, as she recalls her life, you see how messed up she is because of it. Sooo, NOT sexy. NOT hot. NOT erotic. Gross and weird.
Also, the whole book was written in second person and there were lessons at the beginning of each chapter that didn't make sense.
1.5 stars BECAUSE: I didn't stop reading and there was a twist that I enjoyed, even though I shouldn't have.
Spoiler
When the relationship ends, the woman thinks the man left her, but it's because her dad beat the crap out of him and made him.WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS.
estherjoybelle's review against another edition
3.0
Another well-written book by the author, with the same second-person narrative and similar content. I didn't get into it in the same way I did with The Bride Stripped Bare - maybe because the sexual content wasn't as surprising this time around, or perhaps the teenage love side of it wasn't as interesting to me. But I enjoyed the ending of this a lot more. And I love the brave honesty of Nikki Gemmell's writing.
mkat303's review against another edition
4.0
There was one part of the plot I was unhappy with, but otherwise I thought this was a great book. Am looking forward to reading more from Gemmell.
nikkijazzie's review
4.0
Nikki Gemmell is one of my favourite authors, I try to read everything she writes because her words are so raw, powerful, honest and beautiful. I always have trouble putting her books down and this was no exception. I now look forward to her next novel.. Can't wait.
curiouscat_'s review against another edition
4.0
Well, I grabbed this book as soon as I read the lessons 2 & 3 on the book preview. I felt as somebody could really read my thoughts. I was a bit surprised with the "lessons" mode and the use of second person that the story was written. Yet, I found it nice as every lesson is a specific thought or feeling, things that most of them I have already thought or felt. So, the book aimed directly to my mind and soul The end was unexpected to me, as I couldn't expect such a comforting and optimistic end of the story. Totally liberating, as stated in the back cover. I loved the book, probably will read it once more soon.
heat_her's review against another edition
4.0
The main theme of With My Body is women’s sexuality and its fluidity–how it can be affected in good and bad ways, and how it changes over time. With My Body is organized into a set of lessons for women, inspired by a Victorian book titled A Woman’s Thoughts About Women, written by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik and published in 1858. This book plays a predominant role in the narrator’s life, and every chapter of With My Body is labeled with a phrase from the Victorian book, then tells a corresponding part of the narrator’s story. I really liked this set-up. In addition, With My Body is written in second person, with the main character of the novel going unnamed; in this way, Gemmell turns the narrator into an Everywoman, which worked very well for me. It was very easy for me to put myself in the narrator’s shoes and get pulled into the story. (I’m a natural empath, though, so this may not be as easy for other readers–sometimes the second person point of view throws readers off.)
Read my review in its entirety on Between the Covers...
Read my review in its entirety on Between the Covers...
kazen's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what I think about this book. It's put together oddly and has annoying affectations, but explores interesting issues.
Pros first, as there's only one but it's a biggie - exploring female sexuality and the power it holds. To say any more would probably be a spoiler.
Cons - oo boy, I have a list. First, there are over 200 chapters, each spanning one to three pages. Each chapter starts with a quote, sometimes just a phrase, that kinda sorta relates to the content. If there were one quote to puzzle out every 20 or 40 pages I'd do just that, but every other page? It wasn't worth the mental energy so I skipped them.
Neither pro nor con - the book is in the second person. It adds an immediacy that serves the story but at other times grates.
This is not a "happy read", but a decent one none the less.
Pros first, as there's only one but it's a biggie - exploring female sexuality and the power it holds. To say any more would probably be a spoiler.
Cons - oo boy, I have a list. First, there are over 200 chapters, each spanning one to three pages. Each chapter starts with a quote, sometimes just a phrase, that kinda sorta relates to the content. If there were one quote to puzzle out every 20 or 40 pages I'd do just that, but every other page? It wasn't worth the mental energy so I skipped them.
Neither pro nor con - the book is in the second person. It adds an immediacy that serves the story but at other times grates.
This is not a "happy read", but a decent one none the less.