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A review by jailala
Girlhood by Melissa Febos
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book is powerful. It should be read slowly and with great care. The essays here describe the inherent trauma of growing up a 'girl' in America (and other places in the world too). Though my path and the authors differed in many many ways, I found myself feeling again and again the power with which she was able to name my own emotions, follow my own traumas, SEE my shame and pain and confusion and NAME them all. Sometimes we read a book and we shout "YES! This is what I wanted to say! This is how I should say this!" This is one of those books.
Read it with care and caution. Take your time. Explore the depths in yourself that are revealed.
And if you are male- please appreciate how likely this story is to resonate with most, if not all, of the women you know. Whether your mother or grandmother, your aunt or your sister, your lover or your child, these experiences are not exaggerated - either in their stark reality or in their ability to confuse and claim our hearts in a cave of doubt and turmoil. If you are lucky, your loved one will be able to share with you what they themselves have experienced or felt and you will be able to understand them more fully. However, many of us have been taught to shove these things down, to lock away everything we're confused about or angry about or sad about. Be patient and kind and humble and listen- that is how we should treat everyone we meet but most of all when faced with truths like the essays presented here.
Read it with care and caution. Take your time. Explore the depths in yourself that are revealed.
And if you are male- please appreciate how likely this story is to resonate with most, if not all, of the women you know. Whether your mother or grandmother, your aunt or your sister, your lover or your child, these experiences are not exaggerated - either in their stark reality or in their ability to confuse and claim our hearts in a cave of doubt and turmoil. If you are lucky, your loved one will be able to share with you what they themselves have experienced or felt and you will be able to understand them more fully. However, many of us have been taught to shove these things down, to lock away everything we're confused about or angry about or sad about. Be patient and kind and humble and listen- that is how we should treat everyone we meet but most of all when faced with truths like the essays presented here.