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My friend pushed this book onto me, insisting that I read it. I checked it out on Goodreads, and read 1 star review after 1 star review calling this book "the worst book ever". I opened 'Wetlands' expecting something terrible.
This book isn't terrible, this book is fantastic. Yes, things can get a little gross, but its not like the main character's behavior is completely unnatural. And, in the end, I think the author proved the exact point she was trying to make as people (especially women) responded to this book with a one star rating.
Why are you so terrified of your own body and its functions?
Helen (the main character), speaks over and over about how repressed and 'hygienic' her mother and other women are, and I think she has a valid point. In our society, Germany and America and plenty of other Western countries included, we have such a fear and stigma attached to our bodies most basic functions (periods, vaginal discharge), and it's ridiculous! I especially think this fear grows from a sexist sentiment too, as I read this and began to think about how boys feel and act about their bodily functions.
Besides being thought provoking, this book was flat-out entertaining. Helen is funny, likeable, and filled with attitude. She also gained my empathy as she attempted to bring her parents back together, and talked about her various experiences. Wading through Helen's psyche is one hell of a journey. And the ending was fantastic... I finally understood the blurb on the front that compared this novel to 'Catcher in the Rye'.
Dear readers,
Do not be deterred by the negative reviews... Just read it.
This book isn't terrible, this book is fantastic. Yes, things can get a little gross, but its not like the main character's behavior is completely unnatural. And, in the end, I think the author proved the exact point she was trying to make as people (especially women) responded to this book with a one star rating.
Why are you so terrified of your own body and its functions?
Helen (the main character), speaks over and over about how repressed and 'hygienic' her mother and other women are, and I think she has a valid point. In our society, Germany and America and plenty of other Western countries included, we have such a fear and stigma attached to our bodies most basic functions (periods, vaginal discharge), and it's ridiculous! I especially think this fear grows from a sexist sentiment too, as I read this and began to think about how boys feel and act about their bodily functions.
Besides being thought provoking, this book was flat-out entertaining. Helen is funny, likeable, and filled with attitude. She also gained my empathy as she attempted to bring her parents back together, and talked about her various experiences. Wading through Helen's psyche is one hell of a journey. And the ending was fantastic... I finally understood the blurb on the front that compared this novel to 'Catcher in the Rye'.
Dear readers,
Do not be deterred by the negative reviews... Just read it.