cheltonian books {BOOK CLUB} By reviewerAndria Saxelby
Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body by Sara Pascoe
Autobiography or therapy session (where you are both the patient and the therapist), I really can’t decide. Sara Pascoe’s new bookAnimal: The Autobiography of a Female Body is certainly bigger than its
title.Some say it is “fresh and honest”, and this is true, to say the least but where do you draw the line between sincerity and awee bit…too sincere?Now, please don’t mistakemy rhetorical question for determined judgement, because I must admit that it is a very enlightening book, one, which will both intrigue you and entertain you at the sametime. Basically, it goes likethis:
procreationis key for
girls.Themoral of thestory andthebiological reason behindall femaleactionandthought- process isdefinedby thescopeof ‘babymaking’. If youarea feminist, I’m not surehowmuchyouwillenjoyor embracewhatPascoedeems tobe everywomen’s calling inlife. I do apologise ifmy point of view is
not in sync with yours, whoever you are; if you are reading this (thank you for sharing your time withmeif you are!), but I sincerely disagree with (not all, but someof) what she is saying.However, seeing that it is all seemingly downto biology, canwe really disagree?Maybewe have finally found the answerswe have always been searching for butwe just don’t
58 AUGUST2017 THECHELTONIAN
asmonogamists, then this is the book for you. The main message that
Pascoe is trying to convey is one of body positivity; something that I initially thought could never be conveyed through mere ink on paper… I stand corrected. Although Pascoe does have a tendency to occasionally waffle, the information within these pages is essential for awoman’s wellbeing. Learn to love yourself, whoever you are! Itmay seemlike Iam endorsing this book purely as a female life “guide” … I’m
not.Mengather round! This could be a life-saver for you too, helping you solve the
like them (itwouldn’t be the first time,amI right?). Animal is divided into three main
sections: Love, Body, andConsent. As you can see, they are prettymuch self-explanatory… or are they (cheeky Miranda Hart glance)?Within them, Pascoe takes you on an in-depth, research-filled journey, and explains howandwhywomendo the things they do. So, ladies if you are wonderingwhy someof us have more cellulite than others, orwhy menandwomentruly dowork better
mystery of what you…howis this best phrased - oh yes, lovingly refer to as your other half’sways of dealing with ‘certain issues’. I think a good book is one you can
disagree and debate with, find innovative and (cue the soppy ballad) kind of life changing, and by life changing Imeanthat it provides you with a reality check. So, take a peek, this book is definitelyworth a read!
By Kristina Saxelby
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