The Vagina Monologues

Sigh. I was expecting to love this. Partway through, I switched to just hoping I'd grow to love it. Then to actively trying to like it. Eventually to just hoping it would be over.

This is the audio CD. Having no access to the theater version, I thought this would be the closest approximation. Whether it is or not, I'm just glad to be done with it. And very, very sad: sad that I didn't enjoy it more, that it's not what I was expecting, that perhaps I'm not who I was expecting. And more than that: sad because of the content. Some of it is heartbreaking, even narrated in Ensler's angry voice.

Anger. That's what made me want to avoid listening to any more. Ensler's tone is angry, defensive, chip-on-the-shoulder, even (although she snipes at someone for calling her this) shrill. Could a gentler voice have drawn me in? I don't think I'll ever know: it will be too hard for me to read or listen to this again without thinking of Ensler's offputting narration.

My suggestion: read the book; watch the play; have a loved one read it aloud to you (or take turns). But don't listen to Ensler's reading, at least not for your first exposure.