Hmm. Overall I am glad to own and have read this book - there is a massive bias in queer theory towards masculine expressions of identity, so I think it's really important that books on the subject of femme exist. However, I'm not just going to blindly adore it because I'm grateful for its attention to subject matter that I deem important and underrepresented; I was often bothered by the lack of criticism of any of the people discussed, or their ideas, and found the tone at times overwhelmingly gushing. Consistently excellent pictures, though.

So compelling, disturbing, dominating. Amazing amazing. Today I am not feeling at all articulate so I'm going to do that thing where I say maybe I'll write a better entry later and then never do it.

Normally, I think every creative endeavor can be improved through the addition of gayness. But strangely, I think this book is much more engaging and winning when it is focusing on how the narrator's religion (they are fundamentalist Christians in 1960's England), isolates her and her mother from the rest of the world.

The gay coming out and being rejected by family and friends is so old and done. It bores me.

I like the fantasy story bits when they don't too directly parallel the events of the plot. When they're a little en point, they are overly obvious as a cute storytelling technique, rather than illuminating something one didn't already understand.

I really, really enjoyed this. Very clearly written, hilarious, devastating, woven so seamlessly into fairytale ... very sexy, very tragic.

Pretty, glittery, distant; it swept me up but it didn't take me anywhere.

Pretty, glittery, distant; it swept me up but it didn't take me anywhere.

Exciting in every possible way.

Exciting in every possible way.

Um ... I don't really know, to be honest. I mean, some bits were beautiful, moving ... others didn't touch anywhere near me. Lots of it was very predictable - I realise I am experiencing this thirty years later but still. I loved the fairytales. The ending I met with considerable boredom - I think I'd just had enough by then. I mean, it was worth a read, but ... I don't know, it just didn't gel. Much like this entry.

Um ... I don't really know, to be honest. I mean, some bits were beautiful, moving ... others didn't touch anywhere near me. Lots of it was very predictable - I realise I am experiencing this thirty years later but still. I loved the fairytales. The ending I met with considerable boredom - I think I'd just had enough by then. I mean, it was worth a read, but ... I don't know, it just didn't gel. Much like this entry.

I've read a part of this and it was actually quite interesting (despite the fact that I abhore criticism).

This is a great book - intensely readable, written by a science columnist for the New York Times, it explores what it is to be female. The richness of the long X-chromosome, the the wonder of the clitoris - it's all here, in very readable, amusing and non-preachy writing. Recommended for all women AND then men who love them.