Review: How to Be a Woman

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I had never heard of Caitlin Moran prior to this book, How to Be a Woman, coming out. I know she is...a little notorious, but I decided to not look into why at all (and still haven't, up to this point) to be able to read this with an open mind.

It's difficult reading this as it is as a a) man who b) definitely agrees with the basic feminist mindset of equality between the genders c) even if there's a lot of political and sociological disagreement with that same group d) not to mention the different "waves" of feminism as well as the internet social justice advocates. I suspect that is at least part of the Moran backlash, but it was welcoming and refreshing to see a book that deals, at least in part, with feminism and feminist ideals that embraces the ideas without looking to necessarily alienate a segment of the population along the way.

The book is part feminism and ideals (whether or not they're mainstream or whatever) and part autobiographical regarding Moran's own experiences throughout life and the application of them. She's engaging enough where these stories make sense, she's funny enough where the perhaps more uncomfortable stories have some humor and heart to them, and, in writing about touchy subjects, she's informative without being condescending and opinionated without being a crusader.

Definitely recommended for pretty much everyone. I picked it up on a Kindle Daily Deal sale and would have felt as if it was a good value at full price. Excellent read.



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