Sex Object
Ratings11
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings11
Average rating3.7
No longer maligned as a fascistic movement of man-haters or declared dead on national magazine covers, feminism is now the zeitgeist. Beyoncé calls herself a feminist in forty foot lights; democratic candidate Hillary Clinton stumps for women’s rights on the 2016 campaign trail; and a vibrant conversation is happening in real time across social media. “Gutsy young third wave feminist” (New York Times) and Guardian US columnist Jessica Valenti has been leading the national conversation for over a decade and is widely credited with sparking the online wave of the women’s movement. In Sex Object, Valenti focuses on funny, painful, embarrassing, and sometimes illegal moments from her own life that illuminate what it’s like to be a woman today. Structured in three acts to follow the arc of what a woman’s life is supposed to be focused on—Bodies, Boys, Babies—Sex Object explores drugs, sex, harassment, assault, bad boyfriends, too-nice boyfriends, abortions, birth, class anxiety, impostor syndrome, work, death threats, resistance, and family. Feminism is once again “having a moment" and Sex Object shockingly illuminates the contemporary female experience—and the woman who is helping to shape it.
Reviews with the most likes.
I wasn't sure whether to rate this three stars or four. The things she says are important, but she'll largely be preaching to the choir on this one. And, yes, I agree with another reviewer that this reads like a collection of only somewhat connected biographical articles.
But. BUT. I think, for me, this was an important read because it helps to remind us that–guess what!–our feminist leaders are human and frail and fallible and all have their struggles and pain! Coupled with Roxane Gay's ‘Bad Feminist,' this was a perfect storm or remembering not to idealize people and to recognize them for who they are. Yes, we understand that women feel anger and hurt and fear at the things we're forced to see and hear and deal with every day. But Ms Valenti shares fairly openly how this has actually impacted her life, and I appreciate that. I read this in one sitting whilst my friends played games at a game cafe, and there were many times I wanted to cry. There were also many times where I was baffled because I did not have her life or make the decisions she made, feel the things she felt, and I was forced to remember, ‘Hey, she's a person and not just a face of feminism.' Not just a leader. This book is important for that. Like Ms Gay, she is someone who is trying to live out her beliefs whilst being threatened and abused by society. Like the rest of us. And it affects us all differently, but all powerfully and horribly.
Gods, I love these women.
