Marcelle Karp

I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as the Bitch compilation. It was less substantial and there was a lot more attempt at empty shock value by some of the writers. It probably works better as a periodic disposable magazine than as an attempt at essays with long-term relevance. I did really enjoy the introductory essays in each chapter by the editors (one of which is still with the magazine), and Lynn Peril writes for them these days, so I'll probably still try the magazine. It is also very dated, but I was in my early to mid-20s when the stuff was written, and I can still remember how I felt about all that at the time, so that wasn't really a problem.… (mer)

I picked this up hoping for a feminist alternative to Cosmo. I got Cosmo with a "feminist" label--though not necessarily feminist views. By this I mean that the articles alternated between sex-positive and crude slut-shaming. At one point Cindy Crawford is called "Cindy 'I call myself a feminist because I sell my own body' Crawford," and several articles later a writer lauds a porn star being interviewed for "profiting from sex on her own terms." Besides that, the section on "Don'ts for Boys" was sexist and insensitive.

This was a fun read, as a college student, but I wouldn't buy a copy for my younger sister until she's better developed her ability to read critically.… (mer)