Anne Helen Petersen is a pretty great writer but as with any essay or short story collection, some are better than others. She’s trying to tackle all the biggest criticisms hurled at woman for daring to exist while not conforming to societal expections. Too Strong (Serena Williams), Too Fat (Melissa McCarthy), Too Gross (Abbi Jacobson & Illana Glazer), Too Slutty (Nicki Minaj), Too Old (Madonna), Too Pregnant (Kim Kardashian), Too Shrill (Hillary Clinton), Too Queer (Caitlyn Jenner), Too Loud (Jennifer Weiner), & Too Naked (Lena Dunham).
The Great
I loved the essay about Serena and one could argue that it could alternatively be titled “Too Black” but I can see how her visible strength and blackness work together against her in a very white sport. Peterson really digs deep into both issues and it was the perfect start to this collection.
The essays on Melissa McCarthy and Madonna were likewise pretty great. Being fat myself, I’m pretty tuned into the way society works against fat women, but the essay on Madonna being “too old” gave me a lot to think about in regards to the socially acceptable ways to grow old (gracefully) and people who push against that and get punished for it.
I have managed to stay away from most things Kardashian in my life so this essay was a super surprising look at her first pregnancy and how difficult things were for her in the public eye. It really opened up the way I see how people are talking about pregnant women. I already knew it was a nightmare and now I see it’s much deeper than I realized.
And lastly, my ride or dies, Clinton & Weiner. I didn’t really learn anything new here, just felt incredibly vindicated to have everything laid out that they’ve fought against.
The Eh and Not So Great
For essays that either didn’t move me much or I had quibbles with we have Abbi & Illana, Minaj, & Jenner. Wasn’t sad I read those, disagreed with details here or there, but overall not actively concerned about them.
And then we have the essay about Dunham which was unfortunately last and ended the book with the equivalent of a watery fart. Yeah, I won’t deny that a good bit of negativity against her stems from how she looks and presents herself, but OH MY GOD she brings the rest on herself with her problematic words and actions. None of this was acknowledged in the essay and it was much poorer for it.
Overall take – Pretty good collection, but some major flaws like the Dunham essay and the lack of more women of color. The intersection between race and gender is bigger than Serena Williams, just saying.