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17 reviews for:
Here She Is: The Complicated Reign of the Beauty Pageant in America
Hilary Levey Friedman
3.44 AVERAGE
17 reviews for:
Here She Is: The Complicated Reign of the Beauty Pageant in America
Hilary Levey Friedman
3.44 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
While it’s easy for lots of people to turn up their noses at pageants, this history was enlightening. The author pointed out so much influence and reflection between pageants and the social and cultural evolution of the United States.
One thing that was obvious throughout this book was the staggering amount of research that was compiled in it. Pageants have continually reflected society and its values. Whether it was through what contestants were expected to wear, how they were expected to behave, or showing the contestants and spectators what was perceived as the most important features of those on stage. Whether the pageants were showcasing babies (and the mothers carrying them), women of many age groups, or members of different cultures celebrating what made them similar, pageants gave them all a way to take pride in their identity.
While there are many judgments about those participating in pageants (or those in charge of that decision for younger contestants), the author also explored the varied reasons contestants worked so hard to participate and potentially win their chosen pageants. Sometimes it was a tradition for the region they were from or the family they identified with, sometimes it was actually for the prizes, or even something as simple as bragging rights or the experience of participating.
Overall, I’d give this book 3 out of 5 stars. Unlike some non-fiction books, this was entertainingly told across the timeline of pageants in the US, while also exploring different types of pageants and different participants. It was also interesting to see the different paths that pageant contestants seemed more prepared for after their participation, like very visible jobs in entertainment, broadcast journalism, or politics. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in what pageants are really about, and how they have changed over time, just like the societies they reflect.
One thing that was obvious throughout this book was the staggering amount of research that was compiled in it. Pageants have continually reflected society and its values. Whether it was through what contestants were expected to wear, how they were expected to behave, or showing the contestants and spectators what was perceived as the most important features of those on stage. Whether the pageants were showcasing babies (and the mothers carrying them), women of many age groups, or members of different cultures celebrating what made them similar, pageants gave them all a way to take pride in their identity.
While there are many judgments about those participating in pageants (or those in charge of that decision for younger contestants), the author also explored the varied reasons contestants worked so hard to participate and potentially win their chosen pageants. Sometimes it was a tradition for the region they were from or the family they identified with, sometimes it was actually for the prizes, or even something as simple as bragging rights or the experience of participating.
Overall, I’d give this book 3 out of 5 stars. Unlike some non-fiction books, this was entertainingly told across the timeline of pageants in the US, while also exploring different types of pageants and different participants. It was also interesting to see the different paths that pageant contestants seemed more prepared for after their participation, like very visible jobs in entertainment, broadcast journalism, or politics. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in what pageants are really about, and how they have changed over time, just like the societies they reflect.
informative
medium-paced
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
Representation: Interrogates racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia and antisemitism
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars
This herstory (history centring women) of pageantry and the women's movement in America yields a compelling, yet occasionally tedious, analysis of the often confusing and contradicting ways that women have held up and defied conventions of womanhood and identity at the time.
HERE SHE IS was so well researched. While the pacing lagged because of the number of dates and details, the upside is that no aspect of pageantry was left unturned. Friedman also made sure to corroborate her research with interviews.
What I liked the most, though, was that the largest takeaway was to remind women–and feminists–that you can't judge what a girl does to create better opportunities for herself. If you have a problem with pageantry, assess and challenge the systems that create and sustain them.
My biggest issue with HERE SHE IS was Friedman's choice in categorizing feminism into three waves instead of four. I found this decision of the feminist movement problematic which I expand in my Blog (see below).
Overall, I enjoyed learning more about American pageantry and how the main driver for contestants is access to scholarship money. The way that minorities have reclaimed pageants to spotlight and center their identities also contributed to the intersectional reality of US politics, feminism and beauty standards.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the FSB Association for the opportunity.
Read my full review on my blog:
Talk Nerdy Book Blog | Here She Is Review
Follow Me
Blog • Instagram • Goodreads • Facebook • BlogLovin'
Mature Themes
• References to and discussion of underage drinking, drug abuse and sex
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Possible Triggers:
• Slut-shaming
• Objectification of women (and children)
• Discussion of rape and sexual assault
• Death (including of a child)
• Murder of a child
Ending:Non-fiction
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars
This herstory (history centring women) of pageantry and the women's movement in America yields a compelling, yet occasionally tedious, analysis of the often confusing and contradicting ways that women have held up and defied conventions of womanhood and identity at the time.
HERE SHE IS was so well researched. While the pacing lagged because of the number of dates and details, the upside is that no aspect of pageantry was left unturned. Friedman also made sure to corroborate her research with interviews.
What I liked the most, though, was that the largest takeaway was to remind women–and feminists–that you can't judge what a girl does to create better opportunities for herself. If you have a problem with pageantry, assess and challenge the systems that create and sustain them.
My biggest issue with HERE SHE IS was Friedman's choice in categorizing feminism into three waves instead of four. I found this decision of the feminist movement problematic which I expand in my Blog (see below).
Overall, I enjoyed learning more about American pageantry and how the main driver for contestants is access to scholarship money. The way that minorities have reclaimed pageants to spotlight and center their identities also contributed to the intersectional reality of US politics, feminism and beauty standards.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the FSB Association for the opportunity.
Read my full review on my blog:
Talk Nerdy Book Blog | Here She Is Review
Follow Me
Blog • Instagram • Goodreads • Facebook • BlogLovin'
Mature Themes
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Possible Triggers:
• Objectification of women (and children)
• Discussion of rape and sexual assault
• Death (including of a child)
• Murder of a child
Ending:
funny
informative
medium-paced