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olicooper's review against another edition
4.0
I've been a fan of Peggy Orenstein's work for some years now, ever since that fateful day I stumbled across her article, "What's Wrong With Cinderella?" In a Women Studies class, I was working on a paper about the Disney Princesses and the type of "role models" they were for girls. I was hooked.
Since then, I've read most of her books, many of her articles, and always make sure I add her to my "to-read" if I see she's cranking out something new. Orenstein is insightful and funny. Do I always agree with her? Of course not, but what I appreciate about her voice is that it does not feel like an unwavering one. She, of course, has firm stances in her feminism, but she does not feel stubborn. She discussions her own internal conflicts about certain topics and feels like she wrestles with certain points-- not wanting to come off an an unbending feminist of a by-gone era, but also not willing to concede certain points. I feel like she makes some damn good arguments and has plenty to say.
This book was a collection of her works from over the years, so some of these I've read before and others were new to me. new to me AND news to me. Some of the pieces collected in this book discussed topics I've never read into before or really had much thought on.
As always, she's given me plenty to think about and mull over. I'd definitely recommend.
Since then, I've read most of her books, many of her articles, and always make sure I add her to my "to-read" if I see she's cranking out something new. Orenstein is insightful and funny. Do I always agree with her? Of course not, but what I appreciate about her voice is that it does not feel like an unwavering one. She, of course, has firm stances in her feminism, but she does not feel stubborn. She discussions her own internal conflicts about certain topics and feels like she wrestles with certain points-- not wanting to come off an an unbending feminist of a by-gone era, but also not willing to concede certain points. I feel like she makes some damn good arguments and has plenty to say.
This book was a collection of her works from over the years, so some of these I've read before and others were new to me. new to me AND news to me. Some of the pieces collected in this book discussed topics I've never read into before or really had much thought on.
As always, she's given me plenty to think about and mull over. I'd definitely recommend.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
“The idea that there could be one solution to breast cancer- screening, early detection, some universal cure- is certainly appealing. All of us, those who fear the disease, those who live with it, our friends and families, the corporations who swath themselves in pink, wish it were true. Wearing a bracelet, sporting a ribbon, running a race, or buying a pink blender expresses our hopes and that feels good - even virtuous. But making a difference is more complicated than that.”
This is the third book by Orenstein that I have read. I think I still like her book Cinderella Ate My Daughter best, but this was an interesting read. Orenstein collected her essays from various publication and gives her readers insight into how her thinking has evolved.
I was glad to see her essays on breast cancer. I have been fortunate not to have to deal with this devastating disease, but I know plenty of people who have. I have always been skeptical about the pink ribbons and the way the American health system has dealt with this disease. However, since I have not experienced any of the issues, I have been uncomfortable talking about my concerns. Orenstein speaks for me as well as herself.
It was also good to reread Orenstein’s essay on jizos. I remembered the essay, but not who had written it. Learning about how the Japanese deal with miscarriages was soothing to me since I had a miscarriage more than thirty years ago. (As an aside, I got to Japan this year and saw the jizos. It was one of the highlights of my trip.)
One of her essays made me uncomfortable because I know I did not give my daughter enough information about sex while she was growing up. I may have to share this essay with my daughter, but then we will both be embarrassed. That is not a bad thing, but it is a hard thing to do.
All in all, if you are interested in women and girls in the 20th and 21st century, I recommend this books.
This is the third book by Orenstein that I have read. I think I still like her book Cinderella Ate My Daughter best, but this was an interesting read. Orenstein collected her essays from various publication and gives her readers insight into how her thinking has evolved.
I was glad to see her essays on breast cancer. I have been fortunate not to have to deal with this devastating disease, but I know plenty of people who have. I have always been skeptical about the pink ribbons and the way the American health system has dealt with this disease. However, since I have not experienced any of the issues, I have been uncomfortable talking about my concerns. Orenstein speaks for me as well as herself.
It was also good to reread Orenstein’s essay on jizos. I remembered the essay, but not who had written it. Learning about how the Japanese deal with miscarriages was soothing to me since I had a miscarriage more than thirty years ago. (As an aside, I got to Japan this year and saw the jizos. It was one of the highlights of my trip.)
One of her essays made me uncomfortable because I know I did not give my daughter enough information about sex while she was growing up. I may have to share this essay with my daughter, but then we will both be embarrassed. That is not a bad thing, but it is a hard thing to do.
All in all, if you are interested in women and girls in the 20th and 21st century, I recommend this books.
rlafleur85's review against another edition
4.0
Well written collection with very personal and eye-opening content. I was first introduced to Peggy Orenstein when she was interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air. During that interview, she was talking about her research for two of the books she's written, specifically, "Cinderella Ate My Daughter." The topics in the interview caught my attention as a husband, father of two girls, and an educator.
I listened to "Don't Call Me Princess" on audiobook which was narrated by Orenstein. Before each essay she introduced the piece by saying when it was published and if the piece influenced later work. That publication date gave a great frame of reference for medical citations and quotes from the experts she interviews.
I don't always agree with Orenstein's stance on the issues discussed in the essays but I was open to hearing her perspective. She is very passionate about her beliefs, research findings, and implications on herself, girls, women, and others. I'd recommend this book to adults as the subject matter can be heavy but necessary. Orenstein encourages open dialogue with children and teens so this book was a helpful resource. I'm looking forward to reading other works by her.
I listened to "Don't Call Me Princess" on audiobook which was narrated by Orenstein. Before each essay she introduced the piece by saying when it was published and if the piece influenced later work. That publication date gave a great frame of reference for medical citations and quotes from the experts she interviews.
I don't always agree with Orenstein's stance on the issues discussed in the essays but I was open to hearing her perspective. She is very passionate about her beliefs, research findings, and implications on herself, girls, women, and others. I'd recommend this book to adults as the subject matter can be heavy but necessary. Orenstein encourages open dialogue with children and teens so this book was a helpful resource. I'm looking forward to reading other works by her.
laurynreads's review
3.0
Eh. This book definitely falls into the “aging second wave feminist” trap. Orenstein’s focus is so heavily situated on white, heterosexual, and cisgender women. It’s kind of hard to read essays about sex education and not have the author mention the lack of acknowledgement of queer identities and pleasure and also trans and gender nonconforming folks?? I know that this is kind of a “greatest hits” collection so it spans her career, but I didn’t see all that much progress in terms of her views or understanding. That being said, I think she brought up a lot of really great points and the strongest essays were about her personal experiences of cancer, miscarriage, and infertility. I’m still interested to read more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Cancer, and Infertility
aharman13's review
3.0
Some of these essays were great, though the first half of the book felt very dry and I found it very hard to slog through. The middle section was great and last third of the book had potential but I wanted more from the essays.
plaidpladd's review
3.0
This book was good. I've read some of the selections before, and others seemed kind of outdated, but still interesting