Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman

[ShagOBite]

I've just finished, and loved this. I've seen it mentioned on here lots, but when it was recommended to me by a male friend I was spurred on to buy a copy.

I really enjoyed it - funny, insightful and ultimately a really positive discussion of feminism.

I wondered what others had made of it?

I'm reading it for my feminist book club. Made me laugh but annoys me in places.. But that's ok.

I do see it as a memoir rather than a feminist treatise. It is a very personal account so just needs taking from that point of view.

For a different memoir with a feminist slant try 'why be happy when you can be normal' by Jeanette winterson.

I've not read it yet, Kiwiinkits. What should modern feminist priorities be?

Mostly enjoyed it. Found the masterbation and abortion bits refreshingly honest. Agree that some of the feminist theories were a bit flimsy. Very funny in places (e.g. "I'm cleaning shit - off a hat" when talking about newborn).

I really enjoyed it, but I found the Ga-ga chapter nauseating.

*masturbation (doh!)

I had already read the Gaga chapter - it was in the paper at the time as a big feature. I haven't checked but it felt as if it was word-for-word the same thing.

I just finished this today. I enjoyed most of it, but really can't say I warmed to her at all. She's a really shameless name-dropper and I found her incredibly smug. She's a good writer and has a lovely turn of phrase and I laughed out loud several times. I cried at the abortion chapter and thought that it was really brave stuff. Her husband sounds fab!

I was really disappointed in the marriage chapter - ok, she brought up the cost and the princessy stuff and the 'best day of your life' rubbish, but totally fudged stuff like engagement rings and being 'given away' by your dad. Then at the end of the chapter, she suggests that maybe we should resist getting married at all but doesn't take the idea any further. I'm in the anti-marriage camp and would have really liked to read a more thoughtful discussion of marriage, rather than madcap rememberings about her siblings' behaviour on her wedding day, a lot of which sounded to me

'For a different memoir with a feminist slant try 'why be happy when you can be normal' by Jeanette winterson'

Thanks LadyMedea, I'm looking forward to reading this

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