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Title: The Vagina Monologues
ISBN: 0345498607
Author:
Eve Ensler
Publicate Date: 2007-12-26
Publish: 2007-12-26
List Price: $13.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $7.97
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $7.00
Amazon Merchant Price: $11.16
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1: Vaginas Good. Poor Writing Bad.
I'm sorry to slam something that has clearly moved so many people as has this monologue script. I also hasten to note that I'm frequently out of step with the tastes of general public, so feel free to take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt....
I do NOT, in ANY way, get the merits of this book/play! What are we going to read about next -- our anuses? The spaces between our toes? Our tongues? ("My tongue, when it curls -- warmly, trustingly, joyously -- against my hard palate... brings me home to myself....")
This piece of work strikes me as the HUGEST fit of public navel-gazing (except lower down, of course) in the past 30 years -- and when you think about some of the writing we've seen in this time, that's going some. On the other hand, maybe it's the naturally-arising response to the massive cuts in NEA funding in this country:
The 15-year surge of one-man and one-woman monologues in our non-profit theatres is purely due to the fact that there's virtually no money anymore for full stage productions. Costumes, sets, and ensemble casts have given way to a solitary actor standing on stage under a single spot, in black slacks and the obligatory "gem-toned" shirt, possibly using a prop or two as s/he describes some aspect of his/her life to the audience. Many times, this is good theatre -- I don't suggest it's not. My point is that this kind of low overhead allows both the actor and the venue to make a BIT of money out of their efforts, whereas a real play no longer can.
So here's the logical extension: You can't slash overhead more than by offering a monologue, but you CAN raise attendance by making the monologue all about vaginas! Please note this bit of dialogue from "Curb Your Enthusiasm":
[Actress who got the part:] Here's to "The Vagina Monologues"!
[Manager who got her the part:] Here's to the vagina!
Recognizing the deadly forces arrayed against our American dramatists today, I hate not to support them. But my support stops short of reading -- or attending "dramatic" productions of -- irrelevant tripe. Life is just too short.
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2: Ensler is a woman warrior
This is one of those books that can stick in your mind long after you've finished it, especially if you are one who is an advocate for women's rights and for the safety of women against violence. Ensler's frankness is both refreshing and startling to varying degrees, depending on your comfort level. I found it hard to put down, and read it in one evening.
I haven't seen the dvd yet, nor have I attended a live performance, but I have heard about V-Day and TVM for many years. This is a quick read, and I am so glad I read it because it has caused me to respect and admire Eve Ensler that much more: her work has led to V-Day being recognized all around the world in the aim raise to awareness to STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN once and for all.
Initially, I was taken aback by the title, but I think it's appropriate. The level of violence mentioned in the collection of her monologues is shocking, to say the least. Her monologues are based on her many interviews she had with women from all walks of life, from around the world. I only wish the monologues were longer, or that she had included more of them! Some pieces are hysterically funny, others made me stop midway and reflect on the violence others have suffered.
TVM is also a celebration of women's sexuality and their most intimate parts. We aren't dirty. Why do we continue to listen to ads and society that tell us in myriad ways that we are??
Lots of kudos to Eve Ensler for helping to shake and wake the world up!
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3: Amazing!
A MUST read for any woman, empowering! Was a quick read, left me wanting more, LOVED IT.
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4: Thumbs up.
Three friends and I read this book in conjunction and we could not stop talking about it. It's a quick read, sparks thought and emotion.
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5: Not for every woman- but definitely for me!
I'd heard of this book and of several performances from many friends and I finally got a chance to read it myself when my (lesbian) roommate was given it for Christmas and brought it back to school with her. We ended up reading it out loud to each other as bedtime stories every night until we finished the book. Some chapters and topics were hard to vocalize but since we were reading it to each other we always had someone else to talk to about the feelings and issues. I think alot of people would get more out of the book if they had seen performances of it or had read it aloud. I can understand why people think the book isn't what they thought it should be. However, every story, no matter how little it had to do with my own personal experiences, made me feel better about me and made me want to go out and help others.
If readers begin to read expecting to be changed, they will be disappointed. Change usually happens when unexpected things happen to us and we react. Open minds are a must. I also wouldn't let anybody under the age of 14 or 15 read it.
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