How to be a Woman is one of my picks for the top book of 2011. If you were trekking through Siberia all summer and missed it, this is Caitlin Moran’s feminist memoir – each chapter detailing a different stage of her life. The focus shifts from losing weight to abortion, sexism at work to masturbating to Chevy Chase.
A quick disclaimer: I’ve been a massive fan of Moran’s writing for years. I was excited to read this book before it even came out. But I wasn’t disappointed: it blew me away.
There is quite possibly more to disagree with in the book than I noticed either time I read it; I was swept away by the sheer, air-punching, laugh-on-the-train joy of reading it. At last, feminist jokes about feminism. It’s a refreshing change to reading boring tirades that pillory “humourless feminists”.
A quick disclaimer: I’ve been a massive fan of Moran’s writing for years. I was excited to read this book before it even came out. But I wasn’t disappointed: it blew me away.
There is quite possibly more to disagree with in the book than I noticed either time I read it; I was swept away by the sheer, air-punching, laugh-on-the-train joy of reading it. At last, feminist jokes about feminism. It’s a refreshing change to reading boring tirades that pillory “humourless feminists”.
My signed copy, with instructions
In fact, that stereotype is so overdone I find myself rolling my eyes and yawning just typing it out. It seems to mostly be pedalled by people who think that anyone who doesn’t find rape jokes funny must be totally humourless.
I’ve always thought that point of view shows a lack of humour on the accuser’s point, personally – if you’re worried comedy will be bereft once it’s stripped of all the rape and domestic violence jokes then my god, what kind of humour-deprived world are you living in? There is no shortage of genuinely funny things to laugh at out there. Moran shows this again and again, with masturbation, difficult births and fashion all providing the kind of snort-giggles that will get you a seat to yourself on public transport.
There is certainly a place for academic feminism, but Moran is upfront about what she’s doing: this is feminism as part of everyday life. Not something to only be debated or studied, but an underlying assumption behind every action: Moran presents feminism as the logical, interesting answer to every question you weren’t quite sure how to express.
I raved about it, I bought friends copies, I even went to see Moran speak and got my book signed. I acted, in short, like a total raving fangirl. But the book deserves it; it gave me a kick up the arse I needed to get involved with feminism again.
At the talk, Moran said she hoped the book would start conversations and encouraged us all to get out there and start writing and talking about what feminism means to us (“I’d love to see a book this time next year called ‘How to be a Woman REALLY’ followed by ‘No, this is how to be a woman’ ‘No Guys, I’ve Got this Covered’”).
I’m in – let’s start talking!
Squeamish Louise
I’ve always thought that point of view shows a lack of humour on the accuser’s point, personally – if you’re worried comedy will be bereft once it’s stripped of all the rape and domestic violence jokes then my god, what kind of humour-deprived world are you living in? There is no shortage of genuinely funny things to laugh at out there. Moran shows this again and again, with masturbation, difficult births and fashion all providing the kind of snort-giggles that will get you a seat to yourself on public transport.
There is certainly a place for academic feminism, but Moran is upfront about what she’s doing: this is feminism as part of everyday life. Not something to only be debated or studied, but an underlying assumption behind every action: Moran presents feminism as the logical, interesting answer to every question you weren’t quite sure how to express.
I raved about it, I bought friends copies, I even went to see Moran speak and got my book signed. I acted, in short, like a total raving fangirl. But the book deserves it; it gave me a kick up the arse I needed to get involved with feminism again.
At the talk, Moran said she hoped the book would start conversations and encouraged us all to get out there and start writing and talking about what feminism means to us (“I’d love to see a book this time next year called ‘How to be a Woman REALLY’ followed by ‘No, this is how to be a woman’ ‘No Guys, I’ve Got this Covered’”).
I’m in – let’s start talking!
Squeamish Louise
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