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jlewenda 's review for:
Full Frontal Feminism
by Jessica Valenti
I am a feminist, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
I feel that this book is a must read for anyone who identifies as female, or knows someone who identifies as female. It's a perfect beginner's guide to feminism.
Full Frontal Feminism is very informative, and is written in an informal way that makes it fun to read and understand. Valenti's voice is really strong and you can tell she's passionate about what she does.
Most of the stuff in this book isn't new to me; I've come across a lot of the info in feminist blog. But for people who know nothing about feminism, I think this could be a real eye-opener. so I really recommend this book to those people.
One thing I really disliked, though, was that Valenti was a bit too opinionated in some aspects. Feminism, for me, is all about choice. But in the chapter about marriage, Valenti goes on a rant about women who change their last names and how that's not very feminist. While she's entitled to her own opinion, it feels very judgemental and scathing to read something like that. I'm sure there are many feminists out there who have married and taken their spouses name.
I dunno, it just bothered me. She also ranted about how binge-drinking is "tres gross" and how girls should stop getting drunk if they want to avoid unwanted attention. Now, I'm sorry, but that reeks of victim blaming.
There was also a huge lack of transgendered issues, which, I guess for a beginner's guide I can understand, but for someone as informed as me, I found it a bit jarring, and plain offensive for any trans*folk. It's almost as if they don't exist.
I was also hoping for more of an explanation of race/sexuality/class, but, except for one very quick chapter and a few asides here and there, it was pretty much written for the white, hetro, middle-to-upper-class cis woman. And I dunno, I found that annoying.
Apart from those few issues, though, I found this to be quite informative, and an enjoyable read.
Anyone who thinks that women get the short end of the stick (even those who don't think that) should read this book.
I feel that this book is a must read for anyone who identifies as female, or knows someone who identifies as female. It's a perfect beginner's guide to feminism.
Full Frontal Feminism is very informative, and is written in an informal way that makes it fun to read and understand. Valenti's voice is really strong and you can tell she's passionate about what she does.
Most of the stuff in this book isn't new to me; I've come across a lot of the info in feminist blog. But for people who know nothing about feminism, I think this could be a real eye-opener. so I really recommend this book to those people.
One thing I really disliked, though, was that Valenti was a bit too opinionated in some aspects. Feminism, for me, is all about choice. But in the chapter about marriage, Valenti goes on a rant about women who change their last names and how that's not very feminist. While she's entitled to her own opinion, it feels very judgemental and scathing to read something like that. I'm sure there are many feminists out there who have married and taken their spouses name.
I dunno, it just bothered me. She also ranted about how binge-drinking is "tres gross" and how girls should stop getting drunk if they want to avoid unwanted attention. Now, I'm sorry, but that reeks of victim blaming.
There was also a huge lack of transgendered issues, which, I guess for a beginner's guide I can understand, but for someone as informed as me, I found it a bit jarring, and plain offensive for any trans*folk. It's almost as if they don't exist.
I was also hoping for more of an explanation of race/sexuality/class, but, except for one very quick chapter and a few asides here and there, it was pretty much written for the white, hetro, middle-to-upper-class cis woman. And I dunno, I found that annoying.
Apart from those few issues, though, I found this to be quite informative, and an enjoyable read.
Anyone who thinks that women get the short end of the stick (even those who don't think that) should read this book.