| March 2008 |
All work copyright
the owner. No
reproduction
without consent.
the owner. No
reproduction
without consent.
BOOK REVIEW
Bitchfest
Edited by Lisa Jervis & Andi Zeisler
Reviewed by Jennie Palmer
Bitchfest is a delightful collection of short essays from the independent feminist magazine Bitch, which
celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the publication of this book. The magazine is popular among young
and hip feminists because its contributors analyze pop culture and media from a feminist perspective.
With 54 stories from various authours, Bitchfest covers almost all topics of importance to young feminists. It
covers some topics that you’d expect to find in a feminist book, such as puberty, homosexuality, masculinity,
femininity, sex, body issues and race. But unexpected and bizarre topics are also covered, including female
metalheads, vaginal plastic surgery and the portrayal of female teens in horror films.
My favourite essay in Bitchfest was "Double Life: Everyone Wants to See Your Breasts—Until Your Baby
Needs Them." The article made me realize that our society has a serious double-standard when it comes
to breasts. Advertisers are notorious for using breasts as a way to sell everything from beer to kitchen
faucets, however, when a woman uses her breasts to feed her baby… oh, the shock! The horror! We can’t
handle women breastfeeding in public (doing what nature intended breasts to do), but in almost any other
situation we can’t get enough of them. The “working” breast is shunned, while the sexualized breast is
worshiped.
Double Life was a great commentary because it covered a topic of importance to all women, and it did so in
a humorous way while conveying a feminist message. Most of the essays in Bitchfest follow this formula,
which is why this book is great for light-hearted and intelligent reading. I would also recommend it as a
great starter book for people who are trying to familiarize themselves with feminist thought.
What’s so unique about feminism is that there are so many different viewpoints and types of feminism. On
the topic of pornography alone the opinions of feminists differ greatly—some accept and love pornography,
others outright object to it, and the rest fall somewhere in-between. Bitchfest exposes readers to some of
the different viewpoints of feminists: some radical, some typical, but all are relevant and interesting.
Jennie Palmer cohosts Yeah, What She Said, Monday nights at 8:30 pm MST on 90.9 FM in Calgary and
CJSW.com.
Back to Main
Bitchfest
Edited by Lisa Jervis & Andi Zeisler
Reviewed by Jennie Palmer
Bitchfest is a delightful collection of short essays from the independent feminist magazine Bitch, which
celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the publication of this book. The magazine is popular among young
and hip feminists because its contributors analyze pop culture and media from a feminist perspective.
With 54 stories from various authours, Bitchfest covers almost all topics of importance to young feminists. It
covers some topics that you’d expect to find in a feminist book, such as puberty, homosexuality, masculinity,
femininity, sex, body issues and race. But unexpected and bizarre topics are also covered, including female
metalheads, vaginal plastic surgery and the portrayal of female teens in horror films.
My favourite essay in Bitchfest was "Double Life: Everyone Wants to See Your Breasts—Until Your Baby
Needs Them." The article made me realize that our society has a serious double-standard when it comes
to breasts. Advertisers are notorious for using breasts as a way to sell everything from beer to kitchen
faucets, however, when a woman uses her breasts to feed her baby… oh, the shock! The horror! We can’t
handle women breastfeeding in public (doing what nature intended breasts to do), but in almost any other
situation we can’t get enough of them. The “working” breast is shunned, while the sexualized breast is
worshiped.
Double Life was a great commentary because it covered a topic of importance to all women, and it did so in
a humorous way while conveying a feminist message. Most of the essays in Bitchfest follow this formula,
which is why this book is great for light-hearted and intelligent reading. I would also recommend it as a
great starter book for people who are trying to familiarize themselves with feminist thought.
What’s so unique about feminism is that there are so many different viewpoints and types of feminism. On
the topic of pornography alone the opinions of feminists differ greatly—some accept and love pornography,
others outright object to it, and the rest fall somewhere in-between. Bitchfest exposes readers to some of
the different viewpoints of feminists: some radical, some typical, but all are relevant and interesting.
Jennie Palmer cohosts Yeah, What She Said, Monday nights at 8:30 pm MST on 90.9 FM in Calgary and
CJSW.com.
Back to Main
As much as I “enjoyed” the time I spent reading feminist theory in University, there’s
nothing better than accessible, sassy and easy-to-understand feminist writing. That’
s what’s so great about Bitchfest—it gives readers a fun and intellectual feminist
read without the heavy dose of dry theory.
nothing better than accessible, sassy and easy-to-understand feminist writing. That’
s what’s so great about Bitchfest—it gives readers a fun and intellectual feminist
read without the heavy dose of dry theory.
We do this for LOVE, but it does incur a
few monetary expenses that love on its
own does not pay for. Any small token
is greatly appreciated and will be put
towards good use.
If you like the magazine, or any
content in particular, please take a few
moments to share the link with your
friends.
Feel free to join our Mailing list or our
Facebook group.
few monetary expenses that love on its
own does not pay for. Any small token
is greatly appreciated and will be put
towards good use.
If you like the magazine, or any
content in particular, please take a few
moments to share the link with your
friends.
Feel free to join our Mailing list or our
Facebook group.
