I really, really enjoyed this book. I saw a few positive reviews on here before picking up the book and thought that book would appeal to me - thankfuI really, really enjoyed this book. I saw a few positive reviews on here before picking up the book and thought that book would appeal to me - thankfully, I was right this time. I actually didn't realise that the book was written by Elizabeth Gilbert before finding a little sticker referring to 'Eat, Pray, Love' on the cover and I did worry when I found out this fact. I just didn't love Eat, Pray, Love and just found it to be generally too meandering and frankly boring - it really did just go on and on (and on). This book was actually really different and I value Gilbert at a fiction author after reading 'City of Girls'. I loved the NYC setting, the focus of a main character who shuns expectation and finds her own way and own methods in life by being un-conformist and living a life that really pleases herself rather than pleasing anybody else and living to a system. As some of the other reviewers have said on here, her frivolous and young gadabout days in the city can only go so far before (thankfully!) the author presses a pause button, then adds some more learning and a change of tone and tempo. When Vivian (the protagonist) returns to New York City for the second time round she does so on the basis that she has grown up a bit and her second set of reflections are made with a little more maturity which is intrinsic to the reflective, story-telling nature of the fiction. It's easy to live through Vivian - to see what she sees and to reflect just like she does on what is right and wrong and ultimately to choose what is right for her (the self). Vivian grows into a wise old bird who shuns structure and expectation but who cherishes what makes people 'unique'. By the end of the book she has definitely travelled full circle as an 'experiencer of life' and as a sage. Personally, I could not help liking her and I loved what she stands/stood for - wisdom and independence. Done in the precisely 'right' way this book could turn into a cracking film - it's original, just a little quirky and, at times, very bold. I just really, really liked it! ...more
This book has been everywhere recently and it was a matter of time before I read it myself. I did love it. I did believe it is worthy of the hype. I dThis book has been everywhere recently and it was a matter of time before I read it myself. I did love it. I did believe it is worthy of the hype. I did, quite frankly, find it brilliant, amazing and like a work of fictional art.
Surely, this book will be something different to every reader. What I liked about it was (where do I start?):
Fierce characters. Characters who 'know' themselves. Characters who are not afraid to be different and unique. That's where they find their beauty and where Evaristo presents their beauty.
All characters find themselves. All the characters in this book are on a journey - life isn't smooth, life isn't simple. All the characters in this book have to use something of a 'darn you' (and that's the polite version) approach to plough through and to reach the other side. This book is about determination.
The language is straightforward. The language is what it is - no messing! The characters say 'what it is' and call a spade a spade. The language isn't flowery or superfluous for literacy pomposity. The tale is told. Period.
The book is emotional. Even though there is a 'woman of colour' focus it's easy for all colours and creeds to relate. Their is often a hardship to be felt and a barrier to cross associated to race but often the barriers are more about being a woman. Life is hard. Battles are fought and often won because the characters want to win.
The web is woven wonderfully. Tales are their own tales and sometimes they criss-cross. People are their own people but sometimes they criss-cross. Everyone fights a battle in similar and different ways. Each fight is relatable to another.
The book keeps you interested. The book keeps you turning the pages. You want to know more about the characters and their thoughts and feelings. You want to know how they relate and how their relationships impact on others.
The book is historical - past, present and future. Everyone has a past that has made them 'this way'. Sometimes the past makes characters fight for change. Sometimes people feel they need to prove themselves for all the right reasons. Sometimes life is about winning in personal ways.
The book is about modern Britain and about the lives we are living now. Characters are authentic and are living their real lives. Characters do not feel the need to revert of type and want to respect their own history as well as face modernity. The characters want to live their lives 'with a twist' and often throw off conformity.
Bit of a different review for something of a different book. I don't know how else to describe it - maybe read it for yourself. This time the hype IS deserved.
I really enjoyed this book and certainly found it to be 'one of a kind' when it comes to modern-day and contemporary fiction. Julia is the main charactI really enjoyed this book and certainly found it to be 'one of a kind' when it comes to modern-day and contemporary fiction. Julia is the main character in this book and it's fairly safe to say that at the start of the book she's a little fed-up with male/female relations and doesn't seem to find any aspect of them satisfying. The book charts her journey of how she shifts from a heterosexual character into a lesbian and the fiction follows her many discoveries on the way. First things first, the book uses graphic language as it charts Julia's sexual journey. The sex scenes throughout the book are candid and explicit and Julia narrates her own physical as well as spiritual and holistic journey - all told in candid and very frank standard English. For me the book works because this fiction is funny, honest and it describes a journey. There is also more to the book than what the character is going through and for me she charts a really modern and again 'honest' story of a young female finding herself in post-millennial modern times in and around metropolitan London. Effectively, this book is something of a coming of age story and I personally found it to be a very reflective and informative work of fiction. I enjoyed the writer's language used and her ability to tell a 'honest' tale in a 'no holding back' way and I enjoyed the humour and reflection points employed by the protagonist Julia. I have little doubt that this writer has certainly put herself on the fiction scene now and I'll look forward to tuning in again as more of her works and output emerge in time....more
Firstly, I've also noted the other reviews that are just frankly dismissive - that's a shame. To each their own merits - everyone can have their own rFirstly, I've also noted the other reviews that are just frankly dismissive - that's a shame. To each their own merits - everyone can have their own reason for picking up a book to read and that's totally fine by me. For me, I'm interested in and inspired by what people do workwise to push themselves up the ladder to achieve things by working hard. As a freelance journalist myself (but not working in the same genre) I'm inspired by a woman and a career-changer who has obviously worked hard to achieve success. I've seen some of Kelly's interviewing style (not a lot as I'm British so I'm not a native viewer) and I've learned enough to know that I'm impressed. She seems well researched, fair yet unflinching and unafraid of difficult questions and conversations - that's so important. Obviously, I'm aware of her relations with Trump - well done to her again on not backing down. Everybody can learn a little from every little bit they read and it's been good to be able to tune into the positive work ethic and success of a female journalist. Everyone needs to tune in a little to 'work memoirs' now and again across their career so they can chart what is attainable and achievable if desired - this has been a valuable read in this respect....more
I had wanted to read this book for some time but ultimately awaited its arrival into paperback. The book was a quick read, it was compulsive reading oI had wanted to read this book for some time but ultimately awaited its arrival into paperback. The book was a quick read, it was compulsive reading over a couple of evenings and I remain hugely impressed by the book itself. I'm sure it's easy for any famous person to talk about the warts and all of fame - Allen does this here but adds flesh to the bones and is ultimately brilliant as she talks about her own desires/wants as well as her own failings. The title is exactly right - Allen does not hold back and I felt, whilst reading, that honest messages were conveyed. Allen does not perpetuate any self-image of perfection, in fact it's quite the contrary. Allen insists, I feel, that all humans are frail. Whilst we may be working towards our own ideals of human and life perfection then life and reality just has a way of taking over. I'm totally impressed that Allen has her own way of challenging ideals of fluffy media perfection and she tells it like it is in honest speak. My admiration of her has only gone up a few notches as she showcases a modern woman's view of the world, her own frailties alongside her own personal victories. Simply enjoyable, interesting and thought-provoking to read this lady's account of our modern culture and a complete hats off to her for not holding back on some of the personal difficulties she has faced both in child and adulthood. Generous, raw and real....more
I absolutely loved this book and I am thrilled about this seeing as it was a bit of a random pick-up. I don't love, love, love Dawn French either as aI absolutely loved this book and I am thrilled about this seeing as it was a bit of a random pick-up. I don't love, love, love Dawn French either as a writer or performer (sorry Dawn!) but I was interested in the premise of this book and it certainly proved to be much better than I thought.
Sometimes life offers you that chance to reflect and, as each month passes, French gives her readers the chance to do just that and take those breathers and opportunities for a bit of positive introspection as each month goes by. What I like is that there is no attempt made by French here to be particularly silly or funny or to 'entertain' - I think that the book is a bit more intelligent than that and somehow the book just seems to invite you in to take stock a little.
Personally, I think that the book is beautifully written and I've taken it at face-value that French uses the book a to basically say a bit of thanks for the people, things and circumstances that have contributed to her life - positive and negative. She puts a bit of silk spin on all and really seems to communicate the message that even if life throws you a bag of shit (do pardon my French) then a positive outcome can still be found. I think that I am just at that juncture where I find that admirable.
This is a book that is a complete treasure to read. After each month's reflection, the reader is invited in and allocated a bit of space to make a bit of reflection of their own. I am sure I can't be the only reader to find this style a little therapeutic and healing.
The book is hard to categorise (I have certainly tried!) - in fact I have set up the category of 'unique' on my bookshelves as this book certainly is that.
What is this book but pearls of wisdom and a little gem? I will charity-donate my copy as I do with most of my paperback books and I am happy to let this wisdom be shared.
Beyond this, I will give this book as a gift and a jewel but only to the people I care about.
A very, very lovely book indeed to be talked about and shared amongst your special people. Recommended! ...more
A very interesting memoir that is brave in scope and can fit into many categories.
Personally, I first came across Winterson when I was a young teen afA very interesting memoir that is brave in scope and can fit into many categories.
Personally, I first came across Winterson when I was a young teen after watching the ground-breaking drama of 'Oranges are not the only Fruit'. This became cult-ish viewing for me and my crew of friends so it became established in me at a very young age that Winterson was a writing force.
This memoir is very 'orange-y' where Winterson explains even further her background story and persona. She does not hold back on the honesty and instead opens up on a range of issues that affected/affect her past and current self and she doesn't really leave a stone unturned. For me, Winterson expands at some length on her lesbian identity and on how it was not accepted by her adoptive family. She also expands on the concept of exclusion and on how the adopted child feels and sees life if a 'good' family fit has not been found. The effects of this alone can obviously be devastating, debilitating and long-term and this is certainly the author's key message.
Winterson's style of writing is lengthy, detailed and often a bit madcap and far-out. I would imagine that devotees are used to this style whilst newcomers may find some of the text a bit rambling at times. Even as a fan, I found the first half better - far more comical and direct, even when summarising tragedy.
Personally, with this book, I welcomed the insight into Winterson's world. Here is a writer who tells it like it is and who finds joy in the tragic and vice versa. I have always loved a writer who finds a meaning in the most mundane events and who can also see people for the gems and/or shits they can be. Winterson's world is full of these souls and this book describes how she tries to make peace with them all in order to 'win' and stay this side of sane herself!
Wonderfully whimsical and gently witty writing. Would definitely recommend....more
Ok then, first things first, I am not uber, uber, uber-familiar with Dunham and her work (believe that if you will) but I clearly know that she is outOk then, first things first, I am not uber, uber, uber-familiar with Dunham and her work (believe that if you will) but I clearly know that she is out there on the cultural landscape (remember, being UK-based, I am bound to be more culturally-saturated with football/soccer simply due to happenstance). This book then familiarised me with this lady who is obviously somewhat culturally fierce and, possibly due to her honesty and (over-?)sharing, is somebody to be reckoned with.
So what did I like about this book? The randomised memories - check. The subtle 'I'm mildly deranged and I will share my secret mind with you anyway' overall tone - check. The sheer difference of explaining life, confusion and just 'being there' - check. For this many reasons and more I liked it very much and I don't begrudge the author of her own rightful place in the cultural hemisphere due to this daring and sharing.
Dunham's book is an easy read although it does contain hidden depths amongst the peppered humour. If anything, there is a focus on themes like love, sex and family but generally this book ends up being a general memoir on modern life as well as a back-up prop to the mind of the author. Within the work she is able to portray what she is about and how her mind generally functions within the realm of possibilities.
Those of a not too-pompous nature and circumstance should enjoy this work. For me, it was an ideal beachy-read, fun and nothing too heavy. What I especially liked however was the scope of wisdom that it presented. Dunham is an interesting woman who offers some insight of what it is like to be young, bright and female today. Is this the work of a post-apocalyptic feminist? Possibly. Upon reading, maybe you too will find that her observations of her modern female life make you question yours. Let's face it, the heady days of Erica Jong's pseudo-feminism are long gone yet we are still bribed to take our place as 'a certain kind' of woman whilst active reality bites hard.
Simply ask yourself two questions:
Do you have it all? Do you want it all?
Really! Read this and see. I enjoyed spotting out the 'compares and contrasts' whilst being a sport along the way (unlike some of the more dour and ungenerous reviewers on here).
Vive la difference! La vie n'est pas toujours si belle mais, au moins, c'est toujours comique!
First and foremost, I must say that I purchased the book at a bizarre juncture in life. Like Brady, I see myself as a serious and hardworking professiFirst and foremost, I must say that I purchased the book at a bizarre juncture in life. Like Brady, I see myself as a serious and hardworking professional (albeit in the public sector sphere so I am not financially or profit driven) but unlike Brady I’ve been a bit despondent with my career of late and I’ve found that the constant workload and hours I put in are more than a little burdensome on the work/life balance.
The goal of reading Brady’s book therefore was to help myself regain my perspective on work whilst allowing myself to indulge with a little soul searching on the way. To these ends the book was useful to me and it reminded me on what it means to be female and successful within the word of work. There are unfortunately prices to pay and sacrifices to be made for this and Brady does not gloss over this viewpoint and nor does she fluff it up in any way. The honesty here will, I imagine, be appreciated by many.
The feel and tone of this memoir does not make it read like a classic memoir or autobiography as the predominant theme throughout is work and ambition focused at all times. There is little actual emotion here really but then Karren Brady admits that this has never really been one of her strong points. Business itself is the most pivotal theme of each chapter and it is clear that she has made sacrifices at every turn in order to juggle the demands of work, life and family. In all honesty, I like the way she portrays herself throughout the book, she never admits to being superwoman but readily states that she has to make the right choices everyday and in all areas of her life, being prepared to be accountable for these. Common sense simple advice seems very much what she wants to promote.
The appeal of the book is, I’m sure, not exclusive to woman. There is appeal here for anyone who is hardworking, driven and ambitious who simply wants to muse over their business attitude and perspective to work. Brady makes an underlying point that everyone has the right to be passionate about the job they do and should freely accept new challenges.
For anyone who wants to conquer the business world, gain useful insights or simply self-reflect then this is a worthwhile and easy read to pick up. It has definitely refreshed my thoughts on my current job and career strengths and so has been a valuable ‘professional’ read for me. ...more
This book proved to be an enjoyable and quick autobiography/memoir to read.
The world of politics has always fascinated me and, as I was born in BritaiThis book proved to be an enjoyable and quick autobiography/memoir to read.
The world of politics has always fascinated me and, as I was born in Britain in 1974, the governmental reign of Margaret Thatcher formed the social background of most of my childhood and formative adolescence. Via her aptly titled memoir ‘A Swim-on Part in the Goldfish Bowl’, Margaret’s daughter Carol also gives her account of life in the background although, of course, she was much more directly involved than other Brits.
Carol’s memoir really seems to be an account of her mum and secondly a tribute to her much-loved dad rather than concentrating directly on her own life and progress. In any case, it certainly crosses the line between 'biography' and 'autobiography' on every level. Whilst she offers snippets of her soul, including an account of participating in the 2005 vintage of ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here (which she recalls with much self-deprecating humour), most of the book charts the sheer hard workaholic power of her mother as she led the country. Sadly, she also comments on the physical demise of her mum due to the onset of dementia in later life.
I really admired Carol Thatcher’s writing style and again that self-deprecating honesty that seemed to filter through the pages. Whilst she most certainly realises that her mother was always a controversial figure who was admired and hated in equal measure, she clearly idolises her, charts her triumphs and marks Madame Thatcher senior as a women of courage. She quotes many events and phases of her mother’s leadership and of particular mention are the Falklands war and her mother’s eventual political demise due to a leadership challenge and Cabinet treachery in November 1990 which proved to be very much the beginning of the end of Thatcher senior's political career.
Outright Thatcher haters may well avoid this book in advance as there will be little for them here. For those of a more open mind and persuasion however, this book should be of great interest. I personally was reminded of Thatcher as the dominant figure she indeed was with the added snippets of closeness and felt that I was offered much softer and generous images and perspectives of a historic figure than the more concrete media has ever allowed for.
Not usually a fan of this genre of book (as I’ve stated in many other reviews here) but, in spite of this, I found this book to be quiteInspirational!
Not usually a fan of this genre of book (as I’ve stated in many other reviews here) but, in spite of this, I found this book to be quite a satisfying and very inspirational read.
All credit to Piper that she was able to reclaim her life and selfhood after becoming victim to a devastating acid attack all cruelly arranged and set up by her evil mess of a boyfriend who had raped her just hours before.
It’s when you read books like these that you realise how simply rotten some humans can be and thus Piper’s book offers a sense of triumph of the human spirit demonstrating that many people are indeed good people and good souls – fortunately she had these types of people in abundance around her in her years of recovery after the attack.
Spiritually and because it deals with difficult (to say the least!) subject matter, the book is quite a hard-going read. Piper doesn’t seem to hold back on her honesty (and nor should she!) and, as a result, taking in some of the subject matter is difficult to digest without feeling angry at perpetrators of such crime and hatred. After both of these criminals received life sentences, Piper worked hard at restoring ‘normality’ into her life and her narration ends just after the point where she established the ‘Katie Piper Foundation’ to help better quality of life and availability of restorative medical treatment to other victims.
As narrated, the tone of the book is very eloquent and Piper does give a great deal of insight into her own situation. The same eloquence, emotional intelligence and fighting spirit are popular qualities demonstrated by her during the plethora of television work she undertakes to publicise disfigurement issues and to raise public awareness about them.
In short, one cannot fail to be inspired by such a read and such messages from ‘a real person’ who knows that beauty is so much more than skin deep. One cannot help but wish Katie Piper well for being a true and utter inspiration and a real woman of absolute courage too.
I found this book interesting, stimulating and relevant thus giving it an overall well-earned four star rating. That said though, at times, the book sI found this book interesting, stimulating and relevant thus giving it an overall well-earned four star rating. That said though, at times, the book seemed repetitive and some sections seemed contradictory to the degree that I did consider marking it down another star for these areas alone. I’ll explain all in the review.
My starting point in reading the book came from me labelling myself as a ‘feminist’. That said, I am not a militant feminist, I am relatively happy with my female status in life and have self-respect and feel comfortably respected by others. I am aware that I am relatively fortunate then as I am well-educated, have a satisfying and well-paid job and I don’t feel exploited due to the nature of my gender. Walter, of course, explains some of the flip sides to this model.
After her introduction, the first part of her book deals with what she labels ‘the new sexism’ and reports on examples of status for modern women from a variety of situations. Within this work, she comments on the surge of a pink and girlie ‘babe’ culture, a growth of use of pornography amongst young males and relevant impact on young women with a surge of openings of lap-dancing clubs and (associated) more visible prostitution. Surely all these factors are something for all young men and women to think about but the implicit impact on lives of young females growing up within this culture can be tremendous. Walter combines everything from personal interviews to endless media observations to sum up her findings from recent years to report on how, where and when women are actually and potentially exploited within predominantly a UK context.
The second part of her book ‘the new determinism’ cites mainly biological and psychological research projects that can sway the image and treatment of ‘the female’ due to these ‘tested’ biological/psychological differences yet critically Walter comments that many of their conclusions are contradictory and the experiments themselves technically ‘incorrect’ due to experimental design flaws. Although, the citations of on-going experiments and research are plentiful, for me personally, they seemed too much so – all statistics but less of the heart. It was a law of diminishing returns for me here I’m afraid and I found too many examples too repetitive for purpose. Brevity in some areas here would have been appreciated a lot by me and more qualitative than quantitative may well have won me over here as I believe that true gender analysis comes from socialisation factors and word/interpretation power!
I think anybody’s appreciation of this book may come from where they see themselves on the feminist scale. Walter provides a lot of examples of the counter-culture of feminism where women who have fewer choices in life and are led into lives of rampant exploitation are given a mouthpiece to speak about female life from the other side. Walter also acknowledges that an apparently pro-feminist media that belts out Sex and the City and a range of ‘supposedly empowering’ pro-prostitution memoirs such as Belle du Jour’s “Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl” can be just as contradictory as it can be emancipating.
For anyone academically or personally interested in feminism, popular culture and generally in the role of woman in modern society, I am sure this book will be interesting, helpful and, more importantly, thought-provoking through various points of the feminism compass. ...more
I found this a really unusual book to read. Worrying, captivating, attentive, inquisitive yet fun are all words I could attribute to this book and, deI found this a really unusual book to read. Worrying, captivating, attentive, inquisitive yet fun are all words I could attribute to this book and, despite some ‘difficult’ content, it proved an overall pleasure to read.
Shanker describes at some length her journey with a chronic and potentially life-threatening illness. Strongly refusing to take a medical doctor’s word at face value she explores alternative therapies and healings to help her towards her quest of physical and mental peace and wellness. Her journey for me seems astounding as she never tires of re-seeking health and is open-minded enough to refuse pills (when they lead her to more actual suffering than wellness) and is spiritual enough to ‘embrace’ enemas as just ‘another’ physical/mental deep-cleanse!
Any fellow sufferer (of whatever condition) will easily relate to this book as it encapsulates the resolute courage required to ‘keep battling on' when you are often so already worn right down. It’s easy to relate to Shanker (is she anything but honest? – her free-range mention of the enema stuff again (par exemple) definitely makes her SEEM so) and her quick-wit, openness, wry turn of phrase and ability to use a little Yiddish humour now and again only add to her narrative charm.
Shanker runs the narrative through a long-standing Madonna obsession (she is oft mentioned and featured) and each chapter is neatly named by an appropriate Madonna song. The Madonna symbolism has to be strong here – for what is Madonna if not ruthless, calculating, hopeful, clever, intelligence, fierce, challenging and uncompromising? Noticeably her inclusion fosters fighter-territory and all the qualities of our Madge and our sufferer are shared.
What I personally loved about this book was the quest factor. As a sufferer Shanker does not stop in her quest for freedom. She realises that life is a battle and that health is often underestimated and unappreciated. Her learning about life, medication, therapies, communicating, eating and just simply BEING embrace culture and various shades of humanity; Shanker is a clever, funny and inspiring seeker. Her book reduces ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ to Humpty Dumpty status.
In her ongoing quest for health, I wish her luck. As a writer, I thinks she’s up there; fab, fab, fab!
Will I read her other stuff? You betcha - I'm already checking out her website!
This book proved to be an interesting and enjoyable read. Don’t be put off however by the front cover of this book. The title ‘Please Let It Stop’ andThis book proved to be an interesting and enjoyable read. Don’t be put off however by the front cover of this book. The title ‘Please Let It Stop’ and cover make this book appear like a ‘misery memoir’ but it is anything but. Although Jacqueline Gold, the Chief Executive of British brand Ann Summers, was abused by her stepfather during childhood (a background but not foreground theme of the book), this text reads more like an autobiography of drive, determination and ambition rather than a work of woe and life-wasting. Clearly, via the text, Gold strongly and adamantly refuses to see herself as a victim (a constant and positive refrain) and gives her account of how she moved forward in life despite setbacks that have challenged her. I very much like the steely personality of Gold as she presents herself in the book and it’s very interesting to see how a (self-confessed) shy and meek personality worked from the bottom up (so to speak!) to build a major and successful brand to appeal to a female mass-market in the sex/sex-related industry whilst challenging and changing the minds of males along the way. I would recommend this book to any keen readers of autobiographies and feel that is very inspiring to all who have an interest in business, niche markets, female power and the sexual revolution. An easy and pleasing read that female (and male!) entrepreneurs and all in general can be inspired by....more
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