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A review by haleypeyton
Girlhood by Melissa Febos
5.0
At first I had a difficult time getting into Girlhood but past the first essay I could not put it down. There is so much of my own life that I read reflected in the pages of this book, especially when Melissa talks about how she was possessed by the patriarchy and her body reaction to saying no.
I find myself evaluating my own behaviors, counting how many times I have experienced unwanted physical touch and even assault, how many times I've given empty consent out of fear without knowing, and how so much of if has been ingrained into me since birth.
I teared up during the parts when she discusses her relationship with her mom, and how she wishes she had done less hurt.
Her story is inside so many of us. I was skeptical when I first started it I thought "how relatable can this be? If everyone experiences girlhood differently?" And while yes I still agree with my first thought we do all experience girlhood differently, I think so many of us experience it with overlapping similarities.
I love being me and I love being a woman. I love this book and I think everyone should read it.
I find myself evaluating my own behaviors, counting how many times I have experienced unwanted physical touch and even assault, how many times I've given empty consent out of fear without knowing, and how so much of if has been ingrained into me since birth.
I teared up during the parts when she discusses her relationship with her mom, and how she wishes she had done less hurt.
Her story is inside so many of us. I was skeptical when I first started it I thought "how relatable can this be? If everyone experiences girlhood differently?" And while yes I still agree with my first thought we do all experience girlhood differently, I think so many of us experience it with overlapping similarities.
I love being me and I love being a woman. I love this book and I think everyone should read it.