Sarah S. (enlith) reviewed Cunt: A Declaration of Independence (Live Girls) on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous! I LOVE this book. I aquired two copies somehow, or I would never part with it. I dutifully read this book once a year. I laugh and I cry -- I finish it feeling empowered as a woman!
Helpful Score: 1
A feminist manifesto. Well-written.
Christin R. (raksha38) reviewed Cunt: A Declaration of Independence (Live Girls) on + 203 more book reviews
I loved this book. It reminded me of the only thing I liked about grad school: my friends. The women in my grad program were very tight knit. Every one of them were terrifyingly intelligent and radical thinkers. They were also snarky, irreverent, and had speech patterns very reminiscent of 'Buffy.' Reading this book was like talking to them. It's full of interesting, intelligent ideas (which is not to say that I agreed with everything, but it's all worth reading and thinking about), but the tone is about as far from academic as you can get. Which is a good thing, as far as I'm concerned.
At its heart, this book tries to show women how to start developing an appreciation of their own bodies, minds, and other women; it's something that's desperately needed in this day and age.
At its heart, this book tries to show women how to start developing an appreciation of their own bodies, minds, and other women; it's something that's desperately needed in this day and age.
I <3 "Inga la Gringa" (as she calls herself on her website). I even dedicated my M day in the A to Z Blog Challenge to Ms. Muscio. (Check it out here: http://buttontapper.com/2012/04/14/a-to-z-challenge-inga-muscio/)
This book, if it isn't already considered required reading for all women and girls, should be on all Feminist Studies syllabi throughout the world. It's an excellent combination of historical facts and personal essays, just the way "history" ought to be taught to interested students. Nothing dry and boring here. It's all relevant. Don't be alarmed by the flower on the cover. Don't be alarmed by the "dirty word" in the title. Read it and see why the ladies love Inga. You will too!
This book, if it isn't already considered required reading for all women and girls, should be on all Feminist Studies syllabi throughout the world. It's an excellent combination of historical facts and personal essays, just the way "history" ought to be taught to interested students. Nothing dry and boring here. It's all relevant. Don't be alarmed by the flower on the cover. Don't be alarmed by the "dirty word" in the title. Read it and see why the ladies love Inga. You will too!
Winston C. (Crabby-doctor) reviewed Cunt: A Declaration of Independence (Live Girls) on + 296 more book reviews
I haven't read it, but I am a great believer in feminism, as a semiretired Obstetrician/Gynecologist, and an abortion provider, so was sure it would be "wished" here!
Cunt: a declaration of independence reads like a personal rant. The blurb and reviewer quotes seem to suggest that the history of the word cunt would be explored, but we only have the authors word that she did this research. Instead, in informal language—with ample use of apostrophes to abbreviate words and coined terms such as Lordisa and jilling off—Inga Muscio argues why it is important to value this anatomical jewel that unites all women (What about transgendered women?) in the face of oppression by the patriarchy.
It was difficult to maintain a neutral reading stance in light of Muscios inflammatory language. While I think she had some good points about taking control of ones health, wellness, and safety, especially in the context of opposing rape culture, hers is an angry, judgmental, and vengeful feminism. For example, she calls western medicine that smelly deaf dog who farts across the house and that we just dont have the heart to put out of its misery (p. 58) while advocating massage and herbs to induce abortion lest the rhythm method fails. She gets some factual details on reproduction wrong and does not talk about the pros and cons of the methods she advocates. She claims You can tell Adolph Hitler and George Washington were dickheads just by looking at them (p. 91), and advocates pelting alleged rapists with bloody tampons. Finally, she delights in the opportunity to pound male instructors in a self-protection class, without recognizing that such men most likely respect women and want to help them learn how to protect themselves.
I cannot say that Inga Muscio speaks for me. This was one of those rare books where I took notes to document points where I disagreed with the author in order to make sure I was representing her argument correctly.
It was difficult to maintain a neutral reading stance in light of Muscios inflammatory language. While I think she had some good points about taking control of ones health, wellness, and safety, especially in the context of opposing rape culture, hers is an angry, judgmental, and vengeful feminism. For example, she calls western medicine that smelly deaf dog who farts across the house and that we just dont have the heart to put out of its misery (p. 58) while advocating massage and herbs to induce abortion lest the rhythm method fails. She gets some factual details on reproduction wrong and does not talk about the pros and cons of the methods she advocates. She claims You can tell Adolph Hitler and George Washington were dickheads just by looking at them (p. 91), and advocates pelting alleged rapists with bloody tampons. Finally, she delights in the opportunity to pound male instructors in a self-protection class, without recognizing that such men most likely respect women and want to help them learn how to protect themselves.
I cannot say that Inga Muscio speaks for me. This was one of those rare books where I took notes to document points where I disagreed with the author in order to make sure I was representing her argument correctly.
