Autobiography or therapy session (where you are both the patient and the therapist in turn)? I really can’t decide. Sara Pascoe’s new book Animal: 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 sincere and a wee bit…too sincere? Now, please don’t mistake my 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 same time.
Basically, it goes like this: procreation is key for girls. The moral of the story and the biological reason behind all female action and thought process is defined by the scope of baby making. If you are a feminist, I’m not sure how much you will enjoy or embrace what Pascoe deems to be all women’s calling in life. I do apologise if my point of view is not in complacency with yours, whoever you are, if you are reading this (thank you for sharing your time with me if you are!), but I sincerely disagree with (not all, but some of) what she is saying. However, seeing that it is put down to biology, can we really disagree? Maybe we have finally found the answers we have always been searching for, but we just don’t like them (it wouldn’t be the first time, am I right?).
Animal is divided into three main sections: Love, Body, and Consent. As you can see, they are pretty self-explanatory… or are they (cheeky Miranda Hart glance)? Within them Pascoe takes you with her on an in-depth, research-filled journey, and explains how and why women do the things they do. So ladies, if you are wondering why some of us have more cellulite than others, or why men and women truly do work better as monogamists, then this is the book for you. The message that Pascoe is trying to get across is that of body positivity, something that I initially thought could never be conveyed through ink on paper… I stand corrected. Although Pascoe tends to waffle, the information within these pages is essential for a woman’s wellbeing. Learn to love yourself, whoever you are!
It may seem that I am endorsing this book purely as a female life “guide” … I’m not. Men, gather round! This could be a life saver for you too, and help you… how is this best phrased, oh yes, lovingly refer to as your other half’s ways of dealing with “certain issues”. I think a good book is one you can disagree with, debate with, but also find innovative and (cue the soppy ballad) kind of life changing, and by life changing I mean that it provides you a reality check. So, take a peek this book is definitely worth a read!