How to Be a Woman
Written by Caitlin Moran
Narrated by Caitlin Moran
4/5
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About this audiobook
The New York Times bestseller, now available in paperback—“Half memoir, half polemic, and entirely necessary,” (Elle UK) Caitlin Moran’s debut—an instant runaway bestseller in the UK—puts a new face on feminism, cutting to the heart of issues with an irreverent, transcendent, and hilarious touch.
“Caitlin Moran is the profane, witty and wonky best friend I wish I had. She’s the feminist rock star we need right now.”
—Ayelet Waldman, author of Bad Mother
“Caitlin Moran is so fabulous, so funny, so freshly feminist. I don’t want to be like her—I want to be her.”
—Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter
Caitlin Moran puts a new face on feminism, cutting to the heart of women’s issues today with her irreverent, transcendent, and hilarious How to Be a Woman. “Half memoir, half polemic, and entirely necessary,” (Elle UK), Moran’s debut was an instant runaway bestseller in England as well as an Amazon UK Top Ten book of the year; still riding high on bestseller lists months after publication, it is a bona fide cultural phenomenon. Now poised to take American womanhood by storm, here is a book that Vanity Fair calls “the U.K. version of Tina Fey’s Bossypants….You will laugh out loud, wince, and—in my case—feel proud to be the same gender as the author.”
Caitlin Moran
Caitlin Moran’s debut book, How to Be a Woman, was an instant New York Times bestseller, with more than one million copies distributed worldwide. Her first novel, How to Build a Girl, received widespread acclaim, and she adapted it into a major motion picture starring Beanie Feldstein and Emma Thompson. As a twice-weekly columnist at The Times of London, Moran has won Columnist of the Year seven times. She lives in London.
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Reviews for How to Be a Woman
1,132 ratings123 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The language can be kind of rough, so for the sensitive who seek greater understanding of women's issues in the 21st century and suspect that women may be actually losing ground on some social fronts, I suggest you read something else unremittingly hilarious and brutally honest, with unquestionable feminist bona fides. Actually, you'd better just put up with the language, because there are no other books like this. About 95% of it my reaction is simply: somebody had to say it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Incredible. I am in love. This is the book I've been waiting for all of my life.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essential for men and women alike in the 21st century!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5excellent
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Not bad but very uneven. I found the early biographic part interesting but a bit slow. The bit about motherhood in the middle came off as sanctimonious in the first part and a sample of unaddressed cognitive dissonance in the second. The last 40% of the book was the best for me. While still following her life, the writing became much more analytical. She finally has something to share that is with seeking out. And then it's over.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5First things first, having The Caitlin Moran narrate her own book made the experience so much better. Therefore, I have nothing to say about the CAPS thing, although I can see where they are coming from. But I must admit, I quite enjoyed the narration, even though when she was screaming.
Regarding the book itself, I think I had the wrong expectations. I came thinking it was a mix between a non-fiction book about feminism and the memoirs of Caitlin Moran. And in a sense, it might be. And yes, Caitlin Moran is a feminist and talks about feminism throughout the book. However, I think many things were rather insubstantial. Like the chapter about naming breasts and vaginas. As a woman, I don't think I've ever spared a single second to think about this.
As a whole, I'm left with mixed feelings. Yes, some discussions left me thinking for a while. But others did nothing for me. And I'm sorry to say this, but some parts of the book simply bored me.
I'm not saying it's a must-read. But I wouldn't say it's a bad read either. The only thing I'd say is that you should be aware of your expectations and what you're looking for when deciding to read this book or not. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Be a Woman is hilarious! Caitlin describes various aspects of womanhood using her experiences and humorous insight. I don't know much about her career as a journalist, but I have read her novel and enjoyed it. She has a way of writing about women's issues in a witty, sarcastic and funny way. She makes a lot of great points, but going in you have keep in mind these are her opinions and it's okay to disagree, she even acknowledges this is how she feels wtf does she know kind of thing. I agreed with a lot, but I thought she was a bit insensitive to other cultures. How is someone not familiar with a groups customs going to suggest something is sexist without understanding it? You just can't. I enjoyed the parts of her sharing her own experiences and liked her insights and how she was able to add humor to it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5a humorous portrayal of the extent to which male cultural bias still impedes women in the UK, with simple examples of how humans (wherever they are on the gender spectrum) could stop disempowering those women
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic how did I live my long feminist boomer life without her. She made me think, laugh, think and laugh som more. Thank you Caitlin.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was great. Hilarious and honest. Highly recommend for women to read
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was amazing!!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Months after finishing this, I'm still thinking & talking about it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved this book and it scared Andrew when I read bits out to him.At first I wasn't going to buy it because Waterstones had it in the humour section and I was expecting it to be a bit of celebrity fluff.It wasn't. It was funny and serious and clever and very well written and Caitlin is very, very likable and actually quite wise. I finished the book very much wishing that Caitlin and her family (all of them, not just the husband and children but her parents and siblings and the stupid new dog as well) would move onto our street and be my friends. I really hope she writes something else (bookwise) soon.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Looking at the cover, I thought this was only a comedy book. I am a very serious person, and read only non-fiction, so it did not interest me. However, I bookmarked it, and eventually popped on for a listen. This book is actually entertaining but also philosophical, instead of just stand-up comedy styled. Really enjoyed it. Going to read/listen to more of her work, and take a peek on google. Likely will reread as well.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5AMAZING!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Moran is hilarious, beautifully uncomfortable at times, and enlightening so that you start to understand your own idea of being a woman a little bit better.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5hilarious realist account of how to be a human being
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5So funny and insightful!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Funny and biting and absolutely relevant for any woman living in today's era.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I. Love. This. Book. Why? Well, let's start with all the reviews I've read of it. This is a love it or hate it book, so lots of 5 star and lots of 1 star reviews. The best part, all of the reviews, high or low, intelligently (or at least thoughtfully) explain the reasons for the love or the hate. AND ALL OF THOSE REASONS HAVE TO DO WITH FEMINISM. We are discussing feminism. On Goodreads. How can that be anything but good.
Second, I love that this book makes me feel that I am normal. That I might just be a woman and not have known it for a while. I don't have it all together; I'm only beginning to figure out how to look at myself in a mirror without seeing a list of problems to fix. But, I have done things, and fixed things, and learned things, and have tried to take some of my share back from the patriarchy, dammit. I AM A STRIDENT FEMINIST. Regardless of whether I like handbags and shoes and the occasional frilly accessory. And that's what I love about this book. What I devoured it within a span of 20 hours. My problem with those one star reviews is that they are taking this thing way too seriously. Why can't feminism be fun? Why can't feminism be full of inappropriate language and some flat-out bitching, and revelation of our inner lives?
One of the seemingly most contentious parts of this book, according to reviews, is not the frank discussion of the positive consequences of an abortion, or the chapter about the subtle sexism that just happens without people immediately realizing it's happened until, suddenly, you're faced with the thought that, hey, maybe that was sexism. No, instead, the most controversial part of the book seems to be the discussion about women's need to have something to call their lady bits. Which, quite frankly, is a discussion I feel like I've been having since 8th grade. But I love that this is what is causing 1 star reviews. This says, to me, that the other, arguably more 'feminist' parts of the book are regarded not as controversial, but as discussions we should already be having.
This book is not going to be for everyone. Moran's writing is in your face, often includes curse words, frank discussions of sexuality, body hair, and employs a great deal of all-caps, exclamation-pointed fragments. But I do hope it is something every woman would be willing to read, if for no other reason than to hate it and disagree with everything Moran says. Because that is where feminism truly is, isn't it? In the formation, discussion, and ownership of one's opinions and the belief that these opinions matter. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A witty, validating read for the modern woman, or man! You may gain a new perspective while being entertained, there's nothing to lose.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I would have enjoyed this book more if it were simply a memoir, but I bristled often when Moran started to generalize between the sexes and spoke AT the reader, especially on feminist "issues" that seemed rather insignificant. I did agree with her on several topics, but she seemed rather unforgiving of the notion that not all women have to be like her to be a feminist. I like how she details how her youth informed her identity as a feminist, but by large, they were nothing like my experiences, and it alienated me that she enforced her conclusions as the reader's conclusions. There were times, too, that her facts needed a little checking, which made her assertions lose steam. It got to a point where I started skipping to just read the chapters on topics I care about...which turned out to be the ones on why to have kids, not have kids, and abortion (I found her reflections on motherhood more interesting than her childhood)...and reading reviews here on Goodreads of what I missed doesn't make me regret my decision to do so. I'm relieved she acknowledged that it doesn't make one any less of a woman for not having kids, and I really commend her for acknowledging that deciding to have an abortion isn't always a difficult decision. I doubt that her message will get through to anyone who doesn't already agree with her, but still, it was so EFFING gratifying to read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/54.5 stars
I love how real the author is. She's the type of person you want to actually know in real life. The information in this book is pure genius and simultaneously mostly basic stuff that we should know. She just says it. I definitely recommend it. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5would be great for a younger(15 years) me.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I'm always a fan of Caitlin Moran, I was saving this book for a rainy day, knowing it would be a great read. I laughed quite a bit and empathised so much with her childhood, I was raised in a similar situation and without the library I don't know where I would have ended up.
I love her views on feminism but the one major thing I felt she didn't acknowledge at all was her white privilege, there were a few sentences in the book that didn't sit quite well with me particularly her views on Muslim women choosing to wear a burqa, some transphobic language and some inappropriate jokes scattered throughout (just not my sense of humour). Be wary of that if you do choose to read this. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran Synopsis: An autobiography and monologue on Feminism.Sounds blah? well, I laughed and laughed and laughed, real out loud laughter. Witty, perceptive and fluent. A brilliantly told story with an intelligent take on feminism.Some real gems here, irrespective of you being blah on gender politics, this is probably the most coherent view you will find that doesn't make you yawn.Go on educate yourself!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5While I really enjoyed the first part of the book, the latter parts are not as good. When Moran describes her growing up, entering puberty, discovering feminism, that's good and often funny, but when she starts namedropping without reason, tells her story about partying with Lady Gaga and how having a child changed her, I just wanted the book to be over.
All in all: there are important and funny bits in here, and it's quite easy to sift through the book, but it should have been edited better. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fabulous. "Strident Feminism" explained - Moran is funny, direct, thoughtful, and a little crude. This is perfect on audio, read by the author.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Moran is funny, smart, and has a way with words. We actually have a lot in common in terms of interests and social groups and I think she would be a hoot to hang out with, on occasion. Many of us know someone like her, someone who with their presence fills the room with energy and mirth but who thinks she knows everything by dint of being her (not through study.) That person is very quick to judge those who don't live by her rules. That person is fun as all get out, until you get exhausted and just can't muster the energy to stay with the tone she sets and/or you realize she is talking out of her ass, and is utterly wrong about many many things which she states as fact, not opinion. The thing is, she is right about those things AS THEY APPLY TO HER but she is blustery and fully confident that she is right about how everyone in the worlds should live-- full stop. It gets really old. In Moran world you are a ridiculous anti-feminist ruled by men if you wear heels -- unless you are a drag queen in which case it is the best thing that has ever happened in the world. Strip clubs are dens of iniquity and women within them all are victims who clearly should not be allowed to make their own decisions about sex work. (In what was for me the oddest passage in the book she bolsters this argument by saying you know strip clubs are bad because gay men don't do things that are harmful to women and gay men would never go to clubs to objectify the young and pretty. What?! Does she know any gay men? I have been in a whole lot of clubs that featured boys in cages, boys swinging their anally inserted pony tails, boys on poles, etc. Also, I have had gay bosses who were super happy with the patriarchy and delighted to perpetuate it to the lasting harm of women. What world does she live in?) If you don't actually think about anything Moran says she is enjoyable. I wish she would spend more time thinking things though and coming to a logical conclusion instead of finding a permutation that endorses her world view and blinding herself to any flaws in the argument. She would be pretty awesome if she did that.
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