The Vagina Monologues The V-Day Edition by Eve Ensler   Paperback 185 pages (December 5, 2000) Villard Books ISBN: 0375756981 Bookshelf Categories Women's Sexuality

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Synopsis:

From Amazon.com

"I say vagina because I want people to respond," says playwright Eve Ensler, creator of the hilarious, disturbing soliloquies in The Vagina Monologues, a book based on her one-woman play. And respond they do--with horror, anger, censure, and sparks of wonder and pleasure. Ensler is on a fervent mission to elevate and celebrate this much mumbled-about body part. She asked hundreds of women of all ages a series of questions about their vaginas (What do you call it? How would you dress it?) that prompt some wondrous answers. Standouts among the euphemisms are tamale, split knish, choochi snorcher, Gladys Siegelman--Gladys Siegelman?--and, of course, that old standby "down there." "Down there?" asks a composite character springing from several older women. "I haven't been down there since 1953. No, it had nothing to do with [American president] Eisenhower." Two of the most powerful pieces include a jagged poem stitched together from the memories of a Bosnian woman raped by soldiers and an American woman sexually abused as a child who reclaims her vagina as a place of wild joy.

Reviews:

I had no idea how much I'd like this book	12/19/2000
Reviewer: Leigh from Houston, TX USA
I received "The Vagina Monologues" as an early Christmas present this year, and I finished it in one quick sitting. While I wouldn't consider myself a "feminist" in the strictest sense of the word -- rather an enlightened, liberal woman -- this book forced me to realize how much women are NOT talking about important issues. There was nothing shocking or revolting about this book, as the average person might predict from the title. Rather, I was moved by each chapter, as women of all ages and backgrounds shared their memories, fears and celebrations of the one thing that makes them the most feminine. I plan to give this book to all my girlfriends; it is definitely a work everyone should read. I would like for my husband to read this as well - while he is a sensitive and intelligent man, this book could certainly teach him a thing or two about the female experience.

"What can you tell about a woman . . ."	12/18/2000
Reviewer: A reader from Greensboro, NC USA
When I told my mother we were performing _The Vagina Monologues_ for V-Day 2000, she said, "What? What a disgusting thing to do!" That is exactly why _The Vagina Monologues_ must be read and performed -- to help us get over the disgust we have about our vaginas. The variety of monologues in the book is incredible; Eve Ensler has created several personas that all tell you about their vaginas and their associated experiences. The monologues are well ordered -- the moods change from one to the other, with little overlap -- and you'll likely laugh, cry, squirm, cry, then laugh again. Buy it, read it, share it.

Funny. poignant and ultimately enlightening	12/9/2000
Reviewer: A reader from toronto
Excellent... at first I was thoroughly confused, and now I think I get it. Woman need empowerment. They are our mothers, daughters, lovers and friends, and this book shows that women can be open and honest, and with a side of humour, express themselves and maybe help those who don't want to or feel as though they can't speak out without shame. Women need an outlet, either through relatives or friends, and this book (and its subsequent play, which is absolutely incredible in its conception) can give the edge for women of today not to feel threatened but proud of who they are, and most importantly, who they can transcend and be. An excellent play and book well worth all its hype.

An absurd jaunt into the land of feminism	11/3/2000
Reviewer: A reader
Is it possible for someone to write something absurd, give it a ridiculous title, and keep such a straight face about it that people actually take the book seriously? I think so. This book is living proof of it.