‘Do you have a vagina? Do you want to be in charge of it? Congratulations! You’re a feminist.’ So writes British author Caitlin Moran in her humorous and sharp manifesto of feminism and how proud a woman should be to call herself a feminist. A columnist for The Times, Ms. Moran’s book gives feminism a friendly, funny, and more approachable face than the stereotypical man-hater brand many feminists suffer.
How To Be A Woman…
A book written in the vein of the late Nora Ephron, How To Be A Woman is a memoir of the everyday struggles of womanhood. Moran discusses the minor implications of feminism like handbags and pubic hair (‘Gently finger-combing your Wookie whilst staring up at the sky is one of the great pleasures of adulthood.’), as well as major events in work, marriage, and motherhood. Moran is deeply candid about her experiences with pregnancy and abortion, as well as her marriage and two children. She has a lot to say for someone who was, at the time of writing, in her thirties (she’s currently 41). Moran’s take on the world and her feminist perspective stem from her childhood, growing up in public housing and having no formal education. No stone is left unturned as she not dissects every element of her life, but pokes each in turn with a rod charged with humour and kitchen sink realism.
Moran also takes a step outside her own life to consider issues that affect a woman’s appearance. She protests women being the object of affection, moulded into figurines with bikini waxes, pervasive pornography, and idolising the likes of Kim Khardashian. Moran has a captivating tone that veers away from any outright attempt to tell women exactly what they should and shouldn’t be, but rather highlights certain elements in society she finds less than feminist, and damaging to women. She plays the role of keen observer rather than instructor, pointing out an alarming tendency to dumb down and play down women and their experiences. She also points out the reluctance among women to reclaim words and positions in society. In her view, there are very few people in the developed first world who do not know what the word “feminism” means, they are simply reluctant to support women’s equality. Her frustration at this is evident, as she pointedly asks, ‘Did all that stuff just get on your nerves?’
Empowering, Witty & Hilarious…
How to Be a Woman is an inspired piece of writing, witty, hilarious, yet poignant and at times heart searing. Moran’s dedication to the cause of female happiness, in a world where things don’t always fall into place, and individuals and society are often fiercely against us, is empowering. This is not the dark, depressing moral tale of what is happening to women and everything that’s wrong with the world. It’s an uplifting “say it loud, say it proud” feminist manifesto that lacks the condescension and pompous attitudes of the likes of Mary Daly or Gloria Steinem. With over 1 million copies sold since its release 2011 it clearly hit the right nerve among readers (this one included!) who find Caitlin Moran’s take of contemporary feminism bang on the mark.