Shrill - Book Review

I honestly didn't know what to expect from Lindy West's Shrill. Sure, I had seen part of season 1 of Shrill on Hulu, and the author autographed a copy of the book at last year's BookCon. I guess I expected the book to be more of a story, kind of like how the TV show told stories with each episode. Instead, Shrill is like a series of essays that frame West's story.

And it's amazing.

Through West's writing career, she's tackled abortion (her own), rape jokes, fatness, and other divisive topics, trying to show people the other side. Instead, she's been labeled "shrill", or as West defines it: "to be above your station; to abandon your duty to soothe and please; in short, to be heard." Because West spoke out and because she is a woman, how dare she!

It saddened me to read about her battles with internet trolls, people who don't like her opinions and think she's not entitled to them because she's overweight, ugly, a woman, etc. I was outraged at some of the things I read in this book. (The chapters on rape jokes in the male-dominated comedy world were incredibly disturbing. Some of those men still have jobs!)

I like that West can handle it all with spot-on wit and perfect comedic timing. Reading some of the passages in this book made me feel like I was chatting with a best friend. I mean, who else in the world has expressed what I've felt about A League of Their Own's Marla Hooch? (I still like that movie, by the way.)

If you're a woman, you'll want to read this book. Learn how to defend yourself. Don't be afraid to speak up. There is nothing wrong with being "shrill".

Shrill is published by Hachette Books and is on bookstore shelves now. I received a free autographed copy at BookCon 2019.