I often dislike books that are written by academics, especially if they are written the way academics often write. But beyond writing style, sometimesI often dislike books that are written by academics, especially if they are written the way academics often write. But beyond writing style, sometimes it seems like academic texts are meant to make connections between previous research or fill gaps in knowledge that non-academics would not be aware of. I don't know if that's what's happening here, but I feel like I missed something. While she juxtaposed cultural phenomenon and historical trends that likely influenced each other (e.g. Rubens paintings and the larger population of Africans in Europe), it didn't feel like she unearthed the "origins" referenced in the title. There were also long passages about the evolution of beauty standards that didn't mention race at all. But I fear that I'm misunderstanding the context of this research. Is there other academic work that this is complementing or responding to?
To be clear, I don't disagree with her arguments. I just feel like this book didn't present the explicit evidence needed to support them. Or maybe the title is not a good representation of the the goal of the text.
The portion of the book on 20th century America focused a lot on women's magazines and their role in promoting beauty standards. But be warned, it's a very concentrated collection of misogyny and fat-phobia that can be upsetting....more
I read part of it and skimmed part of it. It would have been better for me if I'd read it before The Body Keeps the Score. I think it would actually bI read part of it and skimmed part of it. It would have been better for me if I'd read it before The Body Keeps the Score. I think it would actually be the preferred read of the two for people who don't want ALL the science and detail of the TBKTS. ...more
This seemed a little dull to me, though that might be partially the fault of the audiobook reader, who was sort of stilted. It was also possibly more This seemed a little dull to me, though that might be partially the fault of the audiobook reader, who was sort of stilted. It was also possibly more than I wanted to know on the topic. Parts were definitely enlightening. ...more
I didn't really appreciate this, but I'm not a regular reader of horror. I was in it for the social commentary, but some it may have sailed over my heI didn't really appreciate this, but I'm not a regular reader of horror. I was in it for the social commentary, but some it may have sailed over my head. ...more
I was worried that this book was going down a Bridget Jones-style path and making light of all the protagonist was going through. But it turned a cornI was worried that this book was going down a Bridget Jones-style path and making light of all the protagonist was going through. But it turned a corner and even made me cry. Lovely stuff. Also, the audiobook narrator is amazing!...more
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