A review by cateemma
Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living by Glennon Doyle

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

2.75

on the one hand, i enjoyed this book and read it very quickly, and it made me almost-cry at least once.
on the other hand, every time the author used the term 'your Knowing' i wanted to stop reading. and she used it a LOT.
i do really appreciate that this book has resonated with so many people, women in particular. and i also want to acknowledge that as a 19 year old i'm really not the target audience. 
but also this book takes a long time to essentially say, "live your life unapologetically and do what makes you truly happy".
i personally didn't find it particularly empowering, but i don't regret reading it. 
some good things:
  • talks about eating disorders as coping skills and means of control rather than simply about weight-loss 
  • engaging writing style
  • beautiful queer relationship 
  • very honest
some not so good things:
  • weird analogies and metaphors
  • religious (christian), especially in the middle section (this is a con for me but possibly a pro for lots of people)
  • the author doesn't really acknowledge her privilege within the text. the book is about being yourself and unlearning the things society teaches us but it doesn't acknowledge that not everyone is safe or able to do that. it kind of just preaches that we should do that because it's what's best for us and will lead to a fulfilling life
  • very girl-bossy 
  • says that people aren't born gay and that she chose her partner (of the same sex) because she's smart??
  • says people without mental illness aren't interesting
  • never uses the word lesbian or bi but uses gay a lot
  • talks about womanhood in a way that suggests having children and a family is important for every woman. does not acknowledge trans women or non binary people
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