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rleibrock's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book more. I love the idea of it: Cohen essentially catalogs and examines her female friendships throughout the ages. But, mostly, I was left feeling as though this memoir only skimmed the surface of what could have been a very revealing read. Too often, I was left feeling as though Cohen was leaving out key details and even though she doesn't necessarily shy away from including moments that reveal her in a less-than-flattering light, there are still plenty of unanswered questions about her relationships. Perhaps those moments are too private but if that's the case why bother writing this book at all? Finally the illustrations, while good, don't really add anything to the narrative but instead feel like a wasted device.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
5.0
PLOT- In her memoir, Girl Trouble, Kerry Cohen explores her often difficult relationships with female friends. Girl Trouble is filled with illustrations by Cohen's sister, Tyler Cohen.
LIKE- Cohen titles each chapter with the name of a friend who, for better or worse, made an impact on her life. Cohen is speaking on the difficult and sticky subject of female relationships. I found her experience to ring true, it's unfortunate, but there is a steep learning curve when developing friendships with other women, and hurt feelings are common. I think it's because as children, we are told to be friends with everyone and to be careful not to exclude anyone. Although this is a nice sentiment, it's not a realistic way to form true friendships. Maybe it would be better to focus on being kind to everyone, but realize it's okay to not develop deep friendships with everyone you meet.
It's a stereotype, but I'll risk it, women tend to be more emotional in their relationships, which leads to higher drama and higher risk. Towards the end of Cohen's memoir, we see how she has learned to become more selective in her friendships and more protective of herself. This completely rings true and personally, I hope I've finally put behind investing in friendships that are destructive, and letting those friendships that are genuine flourish. I hope I've learned to be more discerning. Although this conclusion is hard earned (Cohen is just a little older than me), I feel that her book could be a good guide for younger female readers, in the sense that "it gets better". My experience has been that when female friendships dissolve, it's almost more heartbreaking than romantic break-ups, especially during that vulnerable period, high school- mid- 20's. It's tough.
Cohen as the protagonist is likable, and it's fascinating to watch her grow from a painfully awkward child to a strong and introspective adult.
DISLIKE- Some of the chapters were more interesting or affecting than others, but there isn't anything to truly dislike about Cohen's collection. It's a strong memoir.
RECOMMEND- Yes, enthusiastically! This is a must-read for women, who I suspect will all find aspects of, Girl Trouble, to be familiar. I think it's easy to push aside painful former friendships, but Cohen's story will force you to consider your own past and how these relationships shaped you. If you have any current toxic friendships, it might give you the courage to let them go.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
LIKE- Cohen titles each chapter with the name of a friend who, for better or worse, made an impact on her life. Cohen is speaking on the difficult and sticky subject of female relationships. I found her experience to ring true, it's unfortunate, but there is a steep learning curve when developing friendships with other women, and hurt feelings are common. I think it's because as children, we are told to be friends with everyone and to be careful not to exclude anyone. Although this is a nice sentiment, it's not a realistic way to form true friendships. Maybe it would be better to focus on being kind to everyone, but realize it's okay to not develop deep friendships with everyone you meet.
It's a stereotype, but I'll risk it, women tend to be more emotional in their relationships, which leads to higher drama and higher risk. Towards the end of Cohen's memoir, we see how she has learned to become more selective in her friendships and more protective of herself. This completely rings true and personally, I hope I've finally put behind investing in friendships that are destructive, and letting those friendships that are genuine flourish. I hope I've learned to be more discerning. Although this conclusion is hard earned (Cohen is just a little older than me), I feel that her book could be a good guide for younger female readers, in the sense that "it gets better". My experience has been that when female friendships dissolve, it's almost more heartbreaking than romantic break-ups, especially during that vulnerable period, high school- mid- 20's. It's tough.
Cohen as the protagonist is likable, and it's fascinating to watch her grow from a painfully awkward child to a strong and introspective adult.
DISLIKE- Some of the chapters were more interesting or affecting than others, but there isn't anything to truly dislike about Cohen's collection. It's a strong memoir.
RECOMMEND- Yes, enthusiastically! This is a must-read for women, who I suspect will all find aspects of, Girl Trouble, to be familiar. I think it's easy to push aside painful former friendships, but Cohen's story will force you to consider your own past and how these relationships shaped you. If you have any current toxic friendships, it might give you the courage to let them go.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
agmaynard's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Unusual approach of outlining a life with micro (none more than a few pages) profiles of girls and women that the author embraced from very young to more contemporary times. Often miserable, bullied, left out. Illustrations of the various people by sister Tyler Cohen.
katrinky's review against another edition
4.0
only giving this 4 stars because I'm petty and it's fabulous and I'm pissed I didn't write it first. it deserves 5. I'm being extra. I've had so many friendships like the ones Kerry delineates in this book. And the way she writes about her sister? AGH PERFECT. keeping this forever and somehow also giving it to every girl I know.
ubemedusa's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read, and a good one. These are more like illustrated vignettes, each exploring a complex aspect of a friendship. These reflections and explorations are honest, raw, insightful, and true. There were quite a few moments that felt so familiar to me and the girls I've been friends with throughout my life. This is probably one I will return to.
andrealaurion's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the idea of this book more than the actual book. The friendships start to blend together after a while and I only really liked the shorter stories.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
3.5 stars. The "Girl Trouble" in the title of this book refers to the girl trouble that comes from navigating female friendships. Author Kerry Cohen lays out a lot of the friendships that she has had throughout her life. Some of the friendships are incredible and lifelong. Some of them are incredible and short-lived. So many of them are the kind that you wonder if they were simply put in front of you to learn something and grow from. Each chapter focuses on a different friend in Cohen's life and is illustrated in
There is nothing more magical than true friendship. This book reinforced the idea of how lucky I am to have the friends that I have carried with me for so many years (it is more like we've carried each other). It even made me thankful for the friendships that broke up (and thankfully there hasn't been many). It reiterated that even from bad things can come good. Sometimes it takes a bit of time and an extra dose of perspective to realize that. This is a great book for all women. The friendships we have with other females are so intricate and so important!
The writing of the book was good. Some of the stories to be more poignant or have more of a message or some sort of closure to them than others. There were a few that could have been stripped in order to give greater attention to the stories that really had major point or revelations.
There is nothing more magical than true friendship. This book reinforced the idea of how lucky I am to have the friends that I have carried with me for so many years (it is more like we've carried each other). It even made me thankful for the friendships that broke up (and thankfully there hasn't been many). It reiterated that even from bad things can come good. Sometimes it takes a bit of time and an extra dose of perspective to realize that. This is a great book for all women. The friendships we have with other females are so intricate and so important!
The writing of the book was good. Some of the stories to be more poignant or have more of a message or some sort of closure to them than others. There were a few that could have been stripped in order to give greater attention to the stories that really had major point or revelations.
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