Rose McGowan

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This is not a usual book. It is highly unusual, and written in a very unusual way. I gave this book five stars because I think it is important and succeeds in a creative, raw, authentic, and real way. I think that any person who actually reads the book will be moved. If you don’t have some kind of emotional reaction to this book go back and reread it you missed the point all together! show more The author's style is very emotional, and she writes using lots of anger and crude (but appropriately crude) language in response to what has happened to her. I would encourage any thoughtful person to not dismiss this book because of ignorant (they haven't read the book) comments others have made. This is a book you the reader have to commit to for you not due to any hype.

In her style of writing, Rose often addresses the reader as "you"; it is a deeply personal book, written directly to the reader, and intended to rouse the reader to action, to encourage them to be brave in their own life. It is a vibrant call to action for both women and men. You will find yourself sad, enraged and examining society and Hollywood norms and society in general.

Rose typically was not listened to, not taken seriously, not respected. For those of us who are female, this may be very familiar to us. She describes how our culture programs us to be pleasant, polite, docile, easily manipulated, and vulnerable to predators.

She had a very difficult young life. She was raised in Italy in the Children of God cult. After describing what she went through--some incredibly horrible things--she compares this religious cult to the "cult of Hollywood". It's easy to see the parallels. It causes the reader to thing about how we support Hollywood in unhelpful ways and urges us to be supportive of roles and movies who portray women in ways that are not exploitative. I agree with one reviewer who said that she found "unexpected depth" to this book. I related to so much of what the author wrote and also to the blunt and graphic way she said it.
If rape is not a trigger for you, I urge you to give this book a chance. It will not only teach you to stand up taller it will show you that the glamorous life of Hollywood is rather dark and oppressive. I am saddened that so many men in power feel the need to be “Monsters” because they are in positions to get away with it. Truth be told I applaud Rose for standing up for the things she feels she deserves. Hands down one of the most emotional reads I have ever read. The honesty and raw emotion in these pages is worth every minute you spend. show less

I always find it really hard to review nonfiction. Well, when it isn't a textbook. how does one quantify a person's life into a rating, and digest their emotions and trauma into a succinct review.

So. I will settle for telling you how it made me feel. I knew about nearly everything I would read in this book before it was ever written. But I knew the side the media chose to share. Rose flips the media's account on its head by acknowledging what they got right, and correcting the wrong.

I found show more it truly fascinating to read about the children of God cult, and the insight into Brian ( Marilyn Manson). I also found reading the abuse and trauma to be quite enraging, especially the parts where people were clearly complicit.

I want to thank Rose McGowan and the countless other women for having the bravery to tear down abusers and to share their experiences.

If you are in an abusive or unsafe situation, please do what you can to get away. Almost every country has a crisis line, it is often available via text message as well.

Be safe. Know you are loved and appreciated. show less

Welp she tried, but all the time it felt like she was a 2nd wave feminist talking to 1st wave feminists. And I know she kinda is, what with her transphobia and all, but damn it felt like she was talking to sheep that can't think for themselves and have never heard a word about feminism and female empowerment.

I get it, that maybe she wrote this book for people she imagines as younger versions of herself, to try and spare them from some god-awful things she had to endure and survive, and I show more undertand that I might be overwhelmed by her, erm let's say more than passionate performance reading the audiobook version, but holly hell, it strongly gave off the impression that she thinks of herself as a frontline feminist warrior-leader, alone charging at the pariarchy. She even kinda takes credit for the #me_too movement.

It was tiresome and self absorbent, yet she still speaks the truth. She still has shocking truths to say and she still fights the good fight. So 3 stars it is. show less

the first 20% of this book, in which McGowan talks about her childhood and early life, wasn't particularly engaging to me, but I'm so glad I didn't dnf this one. once she starts writing about Hollywood and sexism and women's issues, she's at her best and the rest of the book is really powerful.