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How to Be a Woman Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Caitlin Moran (Author, Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
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1913 - Suffragette throws herself under the King's horse. 1969 - Feminists storm Miss World. Now - Caitlin Moran rewrites The Female Eunuch from a bar stool and demands to know why pants are getting smaller. There's never been a better time to be a woman: We have the vote and the Pill, and we haven't been burnt as witches since 1727. However, a few nagging questions do remain....

Why are we supposed to get Brazilians? Should you get Botox? Do men secretly hate us? What should you call your vagina? Why does your bra hurt? And why does everyone ask you when you're going to have a baby? Part memoir, part rant, Caitlin Moran answers these questions and more in "How To Be A Woman" - following her from her terrible 13th birthday ("I am 13 stone, have no friends, and boys throw gravel at me when they see me") through adolescence, the workplace, strip clubs, love, fat, abortion, TopShop, motherhood and beyond.

Caitlin Moran had literally no friends in 1990, and so had plenty of time to write her first novel, The Chronicles of Narmo, at the age of fifteen. At sixteen she joined music weekly Melody Maker and at eighteen briefly presented the pop show Naked City on Channel 4. Following this precocious start she then put in eighteen solid years as a columnist on the Times - both as a TV critic and also in the most-read part of the paper, the satirical celebrity column "Celebrity Watch".

The eldest of eight children, home-educated in a council house in Wolverhampton, Caitlin read lots of books about feminism - mainly in an attempt to be able to prove to her brother, Eddie, that she was scientifically better than him. Caitlin isn't really her name. She was christened "Catherine". But she saw 'Caitlin' in a Jilly Cooper novel when she was 13 and thought it looked exciting. That's why she pronounces it incorrectly: "Catlin". It causes trouble for everyone.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 44 minutes
  2. Author
    Caitlin Moran
  3. Narrator
    Caitlin Moran
  4. Audible release date
    24 Feb. 2012
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B007DJHEHS
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
6,754 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the humor genuinely funny and clever. They also appreciate the honesty and insight into feminism. Readers describe the protagonist as charming, truthful, and genius. They describe the book as friendly, well-written, and accessible. However, some find the plot shocking and lacking a real story. Opinions are mixed on the characters, with some finding them relatable and funny, while others find them crude and boring.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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Humor/comedReadabilityContentSincerityProtagonistCharacterizationCharactersPlot
403 customers mention ‘Humor/comed’363 positive40 negative

Customers find the book genuinely funny and clever. They also say it's great fun and makes them think about wider issues. Customers also mention that the author writes with poignancy and sadness, and that the content is intriguing.

"...of words- it shows emphasis and passion and just adds to the overall humour!..." Read more

"...whilst reading her more social and political insights. It is also quite funny, and is down to earth with true and horrifying facts about motherhood,..." Read more

"...current state of feminism in a way that is accessible, articulate, entertaining and will have you nodding your head and groaning in recognition over..." Read more

"...Sometimes she writes with poignancy and sadness. She engaged my interest throughout. I am not saying that I agree with everything she writes...." Read more

315 customers mention ‘Readability’293 positive22 negative

Customers find the book friendly, well-written, and lighthearted. They also say it makes feminism seem more approachable and everyday, with some great bits. Customers also say the book is experiential and easy to dip in and out of.

"...In particular, the section on female 'grooming' was just so well written and funny...." Read more

"...That said, this is a brilliant book that everyone should read, particularly women but not only women...." Read more

"...with reflections on the current state of feminism in a way that is accessible, articulate, entertaining and will have you nodding your head and..." Read more

"...There are some great bits - funny and smart - the first few chapters are particularly good...." Read more

240 customers mention ‘Content’214 positive26 negative

Customers find the book insightful, intelligent, thought-provoking, and refreshing. They also say it's autobiographical and uplifting. Readers also say the book has informed their understanding of feminist history and given them the courage to speak out.

"...a real positive of this is that it has really informed my understanding of feminist history a bit more...." Read more

"...It's a great boost for modern feminism (REAL, logical, unscary feminism - not how a lot of people seem to see feminism as terrifying, bra-burning,..." Read more

"This book is laugh out loud funny. It combines personal anecdote with reflections on the current state of feminism in a way that is accessible,..." Read more

"...There are some great bits - funny and smart - the first few chapters are particularly good...." Read more

69 customers mention ‘Sincerity’69 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very honest, beautifully true, and sweary.

"...It is also quite funny, and is down to earth with true and horrifying facts about motherhood, yet includes scenes of the author partying with Lady..." Read more

"...Honesty is the foundation here, this woman has written a BRAVE book, she's said exactly what she thinks and offered us her own experience to..." Read more

"Told from her point of view and sharing stories from her life. A realistic book about how life actually is. No sugar coating. Really enjoyed it." Read more

"...It is insightful, funny, disgusting - but real. I amend what I said above; it should be read by everyone...." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Protagonist’19 positive0 negative

Customers find the protagonist charming, accessible, and brilliant. They also describe the book as unique and unpretentious.

"...but I found the book to be completely unique and one I've encouraged a lot of people to read - I've found you don't..." Read more

"Extremely quick delivery, within two days. Looks new, far better than I expected it to be. Very explicit, funny, honest...." Read more

"...If you've ever seen her talk you'll know she's very endearing and animated and candid, but underneath there's the issues she feels passionate about...." Read more

"...Carefully crafted and unpretentious, she manages to sound like someone who doesn't want or need to censor her speech, yet produces coherent..." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Characterization’14 positive0 negative

Customers find the characterization in the book brave, inspiring, and gritty. They also say the book is honest and personal.

"...Her views on female rights to abortion are empowering, inspiring and really brought a tear to my eye...." Read more

"...I wasn't wrong either, the book is brilliantly written, honest and gritty with incredibly personal stories re-told and controversial opinions..." Read more

"...Then I read the chapter on abortion. Very brave, and very necesaary. That chapter alone rescued the book for me. She'll be hated for it, I loved it...." Read more

"...I love her fearlessness, her humour and her willingness to address the difficult issues for women via her own experiences." Read more

58 customers mention ‘Characters’21 positive37 negative

Customers are mixed about the characters. Some find them relatable, witty, and self-deprecating. They also say the autobiographical side works far better than the feminist side. However, others say the book gets boring, repetitive, and overbearing.

"...But it was all too repetitive, abit try hard abit laboured..." Read more

"...It is insightful, funny, disgusting - but real. I amend what I said above; it should be read by everyone...." Read more

"...feminist keystone, rather than what it actually is: a rather unexciting memoir interspersed with lots of "I am right listen to me CAPS LOCK" rants...." Read more

"...I found this book a particularly dreary read, I imagine this is what it would be like bumping into a frumpy aunt at a hen party who insists on..." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Plot’4 positive12 negative

Customers find the plot shocking, graphic, and sweary. They also say there is no real plot, it's derivative, repetitive, and unoriginal. Readers also mention the chapter about her abortion is frustrating and not inclusive.

"...The chapter about her abortion was frustrating, and I wanted to like it - as she does say, it's not something often talked about, and I would have..." Read more

"...LOTS OF CAPITAL LETTERS TO MAKE IMPORTANT STATEMENTS - and lots of swear words to shock...." Read more

"...often ridiculous dilemas that modern women face, the chapter on underwear is simply hilarious, but as the book progresses to marriage, childbirth,..." Read more

"...A bit graphic in places, a bit sweary and a couple of slow chapters but overall a funny, relevant, friendly well-written book...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

SDN935
5.0 out of 5 stars Real life, hilarious feminism! A must read for men and women :)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 December 2012
Verified Purchase
I have to say that i'm really surprised at some of the bad reviews on here that called her views 'conceited' and 'one sided'. I thought she did an excellent job of exploring both sides of feminist arguments eg. strip clubs. What surprises me the most is that some people found her views 'offensive'. I would be interested in an elaboration on this view, as I am a passionate feminist and I found her views really touching and grounded actually!

However, her opinions are subjective and whether someone is offended or not is also subjective so I will move on to the aspects of the book that I really enjoyed:

When anyone asks me about this book I say 'amazing- read it'. These are the reasons why:

1) Absolutely hilarious. Had me in stitches. In particular, the section on female 'grooming' was just so well written and funny. I actually also really love her capitalisation of words- it shows emphasis and passion and just adds to the overall humour!

2) I love how much as a woman you can relate to her life. As a 21 year old female, I couldn't relate to everything- I wasn't around before the Spice Girls. In fact, the Spice Girls were around when I was about 5 or 6...so I can't relate to her arguments about the older musical generation lacking female inspiration. Although- a real positive of this is that it has really informed my understanding of feminist history a bit more. I now see the Spice Girls as some amazing feminist musical icons, as well as my all time favourite girl band (tell that to my 6 year old self).

3)I found the chronology of the book really clever (starting at childhood, moving through puberty, womanhood, childbirth etc). This gave a really great structure to the book and made you want to read more. You also pinpointed moments in your own life where things started to happen- it just made the book so much more readable and charming.

4) Her chapter on abortion. This chapter in particular is a standout for me. Admittedly, the tone is slightly more serious than the rest of the book, but it's a topic that warrants that kind of attention. Her views on female rights to abortion are empowering, inspiring and really brought a tear to my eye. I wish she would elaborate on the issue and write a separate book as she does make some excellent points.

5) Her book on what 'feminism' actually is. I truly believe that reclaiming the word 'feminism' and educating the public about the true meaning of 'feminism', is the first basic step that we need to take towards reforming women's rights and perceptions of women in this country. I often get so angry when my female and male friends (but particularly female) say that they are not feminists. How can a person say they do not believe in equality!? That is what is hindering further development in this modern age. So...to see Caitlin Moran deal with the issue was really nice to read. She also did it in such a funny way...(read her '2 stage test' to finding out if you're a feminist- hilairous).

Overall- this is a must read for men and women alike. I don't understand the negative views as this is the best book I have read in a long time. I would highly recommend giving it a read and if you don't like it, you don't like it. But if you do- it might even change your views/make you laugh/make you cry. It really is an excellent book.
2 people found this helpful
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kindler
4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly Five Stars...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2012
Verified Purchase
I would have given this book the full 5 stars but was personally a bit put off by some of the personal anecdotes included. I appreciate this is probably entirely my own issue, being a single and happily childless adult made from an only child raised by middle class people in the 90s, but a lot of her writing references siblinghood, motherhood and working class upbringing, and I obviously cannot relate to any of it. In fact, some of it, I find borderline disturbing (is that the point? I'm not sure), for example a baguette full of cream cheese with candles in it instead of a birthday cake, sharing bathwater before getting naked in front of your whole family... yeah, that doesn't work for me. It is a completely different kind of upbringing and makes me slightly uncomfortable if I'm honest.

That said, this is a brilliant book that everyone should read, particularly women but not only women. If more men read this book, more relationships would be successful. It's a great boost for modern feminism (REAL, logical, unscary feminism - not how a lot of people seem to see feminism as terrifying, bra-burning, man-hating claptrap). As the author puts it, 'the more woman argue, loudly, against feminism, the more they both prove it exists and that they enjoy its hard-won privileges.' The book is also a great insight into the female mind, and although I am a female, even I read parts of it much like a man would, having wondered for years why some women behave how they do, and what they must be thinking. I genuinely learned from this book as well as going, 'Yes! Finally! Yes!' whilst reading her more social and political insights. It is also quite funny, and is down to earth with true and horrifying facts about motherhood, yet includes scenes of the author partying with Lady GaGa. It's hard to put this book in a category but I suppose it is an Autobiography of sorts, with some philosophy and politics chucked in at key points. It's an easy read and I would recommend it to anyone.

The Kindle version has no bugs that I found, and has been edited as well as the hard copy.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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jessica
5.0 out of 5 stars Utile per chi è alle prime armi con l'inglese
Reviewed in Italy on 10 May 2024
Verified Purchase
L'inglese è da sempre un mio problema. Ho deciso di acquistare questo libro per allenare il mio inglese. È ottimo per chi, come me è sta studiando le basi. Ma attenzione che c'è molto slang.
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AmazonCustomer
5.0 out of 5 stars Grata experiencia
Reviewed in Mexico on 1 August 2019
Verified Purchase
Esta bastante divertido el libro.
Como buena inglesa, la autora cuenta con mucho detalle y gracia las experiencias de ser mujer desde su punto personal y la verdad es que nos podemos identificar mucho con sus vivencias.
Recomendado, fácil de dirigir y te ayuda a entenderte a ti misma desde otro punto de vista.
Obvio, está en ingles; si acaso hay unas palabras ‘slang’ del inglés británico que no se entienden a la primera pero de ahí en fuera muy recomendable
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RISCO
5.0 out of 5 stars Identique à la description
Reviewed in France on 22 November 2019
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Identique à la description !
Merci !
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KAREN REGINA AMORIM CARMO
5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilhoso!
Reviewed in Brazil on 29 January 2018
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O Livro veio em ótimas condições e foi entregue dentro do prazo determinado. Foi impresso em papel de jornal, o que o deixa leve! Vale a compra!
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V
5.0 out of 5 stars How to be a woman
Reviewed in India on 6 June 2019
Verified Purchase
A friend of mine had recommended this book to me and I have not been able to put down the book even for a moment. Caitlin Moran is humorous, brilliant and inspiring. This is a book, every woman must read. The moment I finished reading my friend's copy, I decided I need to have this book in my collection. All in all, amazing read.
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