By Jessica Valenti
The first thing I appreciated about this book is how honest and vulnerable Jessica Valenti is. Honest about her perception of her parents, her relationship with her husband, her abortions, her use of drugs etc. Her stories are well written, easy to read and true to herself which is commendable.
I’ll be honest and say that my own life is completely different to Valenti’s and, although some things resonated for me, others didn’t – which is fine. But I think I was looking for a little bit more self-analysis. I wanted her to give me details about why she made some of these life choices or the psychology behind her own personal development or even behind other people’s behavior and development. There was definitely some self-analysis and reflection of why we are the way we are, I just wanted a little more.
I particularly enjoyed her chapter called “Anon.” about anonymous men saying and doing sexually abusive things. And I appreciated what she said about men inevitably asking her if they are rapists. I really want men to wake up and realize that they often overstep sexual boundaries, they do sexually abusive things, they often seem to try to excuse themselves and their bahviors as “not that bad,” when what they need is to take responsibility, apologize, take steps toward being sexually appropriate and healthy men!
I thought some of the book came across as angry feminism – especially the first chapter. But by the end of the book I thought she was totally justified in her anger. To think of the amount of times she has suffered harassment, abuse, date rape, been shown men’s dicks or had them jerk off while rubbing up against her, being called a whore by people whose own behaviors are worse – the mind boggles!! I’m becoming more of a feminist every day and I stand with Jessica Valenti and call this behavior disgustingly unhealthy and desperately in need of reform!!