[MPOV] The Vagina Monologues

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads rating: 3.87/5

Published: January 1st, 1996

Author: Eve Ensler

Genre: non-fiction, feminism, plays

Synopsis from Goodreads:

I decided to talk to women about their vaginas, to do vagina interviews, which became vagina monologues...At first women were reluctant to talk. They were a little shy. But once they got going, you couldn't stop them. Women secretly love to talk about their vaginas. They get very excited, mainly because no one's ever asked them before.

Another pick for June's #bookspin #bookspinbingo with letter E or F (Eve Ensler)

I have always been curious about this book, mainly due to it's outrageous title, The Vagina Monologues, as though vagina could talk LOL! Anyway, the Asian upbringing in me was taken back a little whilst reading it, a bit of a culture shock kinda way, but after a while I get used to it. 

This book is based on real women's stories, their experiences and their monologues compiled by the author. The sharing of their discovery of their vagina, be it sexual or intimate, was quite profound and I am surprised that there are such support groups for this! Of course, only in the USA and not in Malaysia lah! Their stories were quite frank and straightforward that I could feel their anxiety or sadness or pain. 

I finally know the difference between pleasing and loving, obeying and respecting...

Aside from the vagina monologues, it's also about Female Empowerment or Girl Power. This is where violence against women came into view with the V-Day Movement. There are some sharing of such related stories too.

Eve Ensler, also known mononymously as V, is an American playwright, performer, feminist and activist. She is on a mission among so many other great and powerful women to help women accept their bodies.

The author credits her past marriage, rehab and therapy with helping her work through issues. A woman in progress, she pointedly never uses the word ''overcome''.

When you rape, beat, maim, mutilate, burn, bury and terrorise women, you destroy the essential life energy in the planet.

If you like reading on feminism or the likes then this would be up your alley. If you are curious like me, you must read with an open mind and not closed up rigid. Overall, this is an eye-opening read for me which made me love myself more.