womens studies

This was a gift I got at my UN-bridal shower. Yes, I celebrated the end of my marriage, and it was long overdue. Having this book fits perfectly with my take charge, reclaim yourself attitude. I like the word, it's strong and powerful just as Inga Muscio points out to readers.
This book, however is not just an entymological journey, it reaches far deeper than letters and language ever could. Why would such a strong and positive word cause women to cringe and cower today? Inga Muscio explores that and reaches her hand out to all those willing to take it and rise out of the shame and insecurities. So much is addressed in this book about women's bodies, attitudes, feelings, beliefs, and sisterhood as well as lack of sisterhood (sad but true). I would recommend this book to anyone but if a person is not already familiar with feminist literature or shy about women's anatomy discussion, perhaps a few primers would be in order before this pulls-no-punches read. I think the title alone scares people LOL, it's on display in my living room though and no one has run out yet. I don't think I can do it justice with a review.

Reading this book affirms the beliefs that we as women know to be true inside ourselves but on which we are so rarely encouraged or even allowed to openly hold forth. Inga Muscio speaks the truth and what a powerful sense of freedom she offers to those who will open these pages and read. The word cunt had always held such fear and revulsion for me and to realize how in so many insidious ways this extended to our perception of ourselves as women, chilled me. While reading this book, I cried and laughed and interrupted my husband more then a dozen times as shared with him the words that showed me the way to be free. Our society makes this road very difficult to navigate and this book can be your guide. Reflect on the title, it has so much to say to all of us. Change the way you perceive the word cunt and you change the way you percieve yourself. I will be sure all of my friends have an opportunity to read this book and I will tell all women that they no longer have to be afraid.

the book seemed promising at first, but it turned out to be an immature angry rant that regurgitated every paranoid consciousness-raising session i had with my gal pals in high school. it offers no solutions, and puts forth a paranoid, unrealistic view of gender relations. additionally, she seems to be rather down on anyone who has a Real Job and doesn't sponge off feminist friends by living in their basement.

her thoughts on the birth control pill and abortion strike me as utterly obnoxious. to wit: if you're a *real woman*, you should be able to spur a miscarriage with your mind. and, the Pill is evil and wrong because it disconnects women from their cycles. that this diatribe is coming from a woman who has had three abortions strikes me as ironic, to say the least. if she used the damn Pill, she wouldn't be in that spot to start with.

the bad grammar is rather disempowering too, i might add.

and, perhaps most obnoxiously, the entire book is largely about writing the book, a bit of solipsism that indicates the writer has few original ideas. if you're a high school student, this book might be on your level. if you're a more mature reader, there are many feminist authors out there who do a much more cogent and in-depth analysis of patriarchy, gender relations and power.