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Title: Ophelia Speaks : Adolescent Girls Write About Their Search for Self by Sara Shandler ISBN: 0-06-095297-0 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 June, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.24 (89 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Brilliant and Insightful
Comment: I read "Reviving Ophelia" about a year ago. I was intrigued when I saw "Ophelia Speaks" at Borders and knew I had to read it. I loved it. I only wish I didn't see myself on many of its pages. My two favorite contributions had to be the poem "Catalogues," the opening poem in the Media-Fed Images chapter and "Fight Girl Power" in the Feminist Pride chapter. I found it interesting to note that Shandler said Ophelia was drowned by the weight of her skirts and neglected to mention another theory, one that truly encompasses the meaning of "Ophelia Speaks." Another theory is that Ophelia commited suicide because she was pregnant with Hamlet's baby. Mentioning this theory would have given the book more meaning. While it is true that girls face many hardships as teenagers, these are a part of growing up. These problems are part of everyday life. For example, like millions of teenage girls, I have suffered from depression and was in therapy. I tried several different antidepressants before finding the right one. I have experienced the death of grandparents. I have been ridiculed by cliques and rejected by friends. I have questioned my religion. My point is, our culture does not necessarily "girl-poison." Rather, we live life. I also don't like the fact that all this negativity is placed on teenage girls in particular. With already shaky self-esteem, the last thing we need is others saying we are "poisoned" by society and our futures are doomed. Why aren't there books about the fall of teenage boys? They are the more violent ones of society. After the school shootings that took place in Colorado, why aren't psychologists writing books about them? I think someone should write a book called "Reviving Hamlet" or something. Overall, "Ophelia Speaks" was an awesome book. I think Shandler should write a sequel. As a nineteen-year- old teenage girl, I would definately contribute something.
Rating: 4
Summary: Very Good
Comment: I haven't read Reviving Ophelia, so I can't compare the two, but I found Shandler's book, although disturbing at times, an excellent collection of memoirs written by the soon-to-be women of our society. I agree that at times the author's commentary could be distracting, but the stories stand and speak for themselves.
I don't know any girl or woman that couldn't relate to at least one of the poignant essays. These girls poured their hearts out about topics ranging from death to poor self image to abuse to discovering their sexuality. One shouldn't be surprised to discovered that our children are often confused, angry, abused, sad and frightened after reading some of the scenarios some of these young girls have lived through.
I'm 30 years old, and was raised in a middle class, suburban environment with two wonderful parents and a relatively happy childhood and I could relate to many of the stories told in this book.
Rating: 1
Summary: Ophelia Speaks:Stereotyping all female adolescents
Comment: 'Ophelia Speaks' by Shandler is a poor attemp at writing on Shandler's part. I had to read this book for my SOC 204 class, but otherwise I would have never picked this book up to read. I found the book to be only a collection of letters, stories and poems that Shandler had collected from adolescent girls. Most of these entries did not capture the true life of adolescent girls but instead glamourized the stereotypes that society has about female adolescents. The author, at the time of collecting these reading, was only 17 and it seems as if she was just putting this book together to make a few extra bucks. As well, I believe that since she sent out a letter asking for submissions for the book, I feel that the girls that wrote the entries, were meerly looking for some sort of fame by having their entries in this book. I also cannot stand how the author's experiences never reflect the experiences of the writings; this further indicates that the writings are not accurate. The author also never comes to any conclusion after a chapter. She could have given some psychological/sociolgical/physiological reasoning behind some of the girls experiences.
I would not refer anyone to read this book. It was a waste of time and money.
Save your money and spend it on better things.
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Title: Reviving Ophelia : Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher ISBN: 0345392825 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 14 February, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Surviving Ophelia: Mothers Share Their Wisdom in Navigating the Tumultuous Teenage Years by Cheryl Dellasega, Ph.D. Cheryl Dellasega ISBN: 0738205087 Publisher: Perseus Publishing Pub. Date: 18 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls (Ballantine Reader's Circle) by Ph.d. Mary Pipher, Mary Pipher ISBN: 0345418786 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons ISBN: 0156027348 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence by ROSALIND WISEMAN ISBN: 1400047927 Publisher: Three Rivers Press Pub. Date: 04 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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