Review
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A fascinating exploration of how we 'do' gender. From the early labeling of infants to the ironclad
of grooming and interpersonal behavior, gender expression is neither a matter of biological mandate nor
individual choice. Emer O'Toole nimbly weaves philosophy and personal experience into a vivid depiction of gender
identity as performance art. (LISE ELIOT, author of PINK BRAIN, BLUE BRAIN)
The blogger and columnist, who is emerging as one of the leading lights of the new feminism, uses anecdotes from her own
life - from 'cross-dressing to pube-growing and full-body waxing' - to illuminate some of the the dos and don'ts for
women trying to set themself free from gender stereotypes. (THE GUARDIAN Unmissable books for 2015)
A witty, engaging appeal for everybody to stop conforming so rigidly to gender stereotypes.... As this thoughtful, funny
book reminds us, being a girl can mean a lot of things. And with luck one day women will all get to decide for
themselves what that is. (IRISH TIMES)
An entertaining book that makes you question the conventions of gender. I expect it will attract comparisons with
Caitlin Moran's How to be A Woman. Like Moran's work, I wish it could be handed out to every teenage girl as a
self-esteem booster. (Rosamund Urwin EVENING STANDARD)
What I love most about Emer's writing is that she is not only able to explain complex ideas about feminist theory in a
way that is engaging and relatable, but it is also really funny. If you love reading feminism which is as entertaining
as it is thought-provoking, this book is the obvious next step up from Caitlin Moran. Get your hands on a copy.
(abstractmag.com)
The book is personal, in that it's her own story of playing a different role, and it's chatty and funny and likeable,
much as the author herself seems to be. (Eithne Tynan IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY)
Part autobiography, part heartfelt plea to change the way we look at gender, Girls will be Girls is an excelltn primer
on feminist theory. Every teenage girl should be given a copy. (Anne Sexton Hot Press)
As a possible fourth wave of Western feminism beckons, new titles on the subject are appearing with increasing
regularity. O'Toole holds her own in a crowded space, albeit one in need of a greater diversity of female voices. Her
accessible approach to theory, interwoven with her chatty, self-reflective style and gender ins from an Irish
perspective creates a welcome addition to the current crop of popular feminist writing. (Mary McGill IRISH INDEPENDENT)
In her excellent and eye-opening book Girls Will Be Girls, Emer O'Toole discusses the impact of the often stereotypical
'lenses' through which we see the world and the importance of examining those lenses in order to better understand our
ingrained and normalised prejudice. In her book, How to Be A Woman, Caitlin Moran suggests that things would be easier
if some pigeons would shit all over the glass ceiling, because we would then at least be able to see what we are dealing
with. O'Toole's book performs a similar function... allowing us to see clearly the boundaries that are often invisible
and unquestioned... A witty, pacy and exhilirating lesson in beginning to colour outside the lines. (LAURA BATES
EVERYDAY SEXISM)
Girls will be Girls is a funny and compelling read, combining fascinating, relatable storytelling with meticulous
research and real practical advice for challenging patriarchal gender roles in your own small, large, thin, ,
feminine, masculine, hairy, unhairy way (and anything and everything in between!) (Lusana Taylor THE F WORD)
Book Description
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Change the way you think about gender and feminism forever. With all the revolutionary zeal, laugh-out-loud
humour and intelligence of Laura Bates, Caitlin Moran and Bell Hooks, Emer O'Toole explores what it really means to 'act
like a girl'.