*CATCH THE TV ADAPTATION OF SHRILL ON BBC3 NOW*
‘Women are told, from birth, that it’s our job to be small: physically small, small in our presence, and small in our impact on the world. We’re supposed to spend our lives passive, quiet and hungry. I want to obliterate that expectation…’
Guardian columnist Lindy West wasn’t always loud. It’s difficult to believe she was once a nerdy, overweight teen who wanted nothing more than to be invisible. Fortunately for women everywhere, along the road she found her voice – and how she found it! That cripplingly shy girl who refused to make a sound, somehow grew up to be one of the loudest, shrillest, most fearless feminazis on the internet, making a living standing up for what’s right instead of what’s cool.
In Shrill, Lindy recounts how she went from being the butt of people’s jokes, to telling her own brand of jokes – ones that carry with them with a serious message and aren’t at someone else’s expense. She reveals the obstacles and stereotyping she’s had to overcome to make herself heard, in a society that doesn’t think women (especially fat women and feminists) are or can be funny.
She also tackles some of the most burning issues of popular culture today, taking a frank and provocative look at racism, oppression, fat-shaming, twitter-trolling and even rape culture, unpicking the bullshit and calling out unpalatable truths with conviction, intelligence and a large dose of her trademark black humour.
‘Lindy West is an essential (and hilarious) voice for women. Her talent and bravery have made the Internet a place I actually want to be.’ Lena Dunham
‘Women are told, from birth, that it’s our job to be small: physically small, small in our presence, and small in our impact on the world. We’re supposed to spend our lives passive, quiet and hungry. I want to obliterate that expectation…’
Guardian columnist Lindy West wasn’t always loud. It’s difficult to believe she was once a nerdy, overweight teen who wanted nothing more than to be invisible. Fortunately for women everywhere, along the road she found her voice – and how she found it! That cripplingly shy girl who refused to make a sound, somehow grew up to be one of the loudest, shrillest, most fearless feminazis on the internet, making a living standing up for what’s right instead of what’s cool.
In Shrill, Lindy recounts how she went from being the butt of people’s jokes, to telling her own brand of jokes – ones that carry with them with a serious message and aren’t at someone else’s expense. She reveals the obstacles and stereotyping she’s had to overcome to make herself heard, in a society that doesn’t think women (especially fat women and feminists) are or can be funny.
She also tackles some of the most burning issues of popular culture today, taking a frank and provocative look at racism, oppression, fat-shaming, twitter-trolling and even rape culture, unpicking the bullshit and calling out unpalatable truths with conviction, intelligence and a large dose of her trademark black humour.
‘Lindy West is an essential (and hilarious) voice for women. Her talent and bravery have made the Internet a place I actually want to be.’ Lena Dunham
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
This is a feminist, empowering book; I cried the whole way through though it's very funny as well ... It's nice to read something that you know would have changed your life for ever if you'd read it when you were 16
For the vast number of women who have struggled to accept their bodies as they are, West's memoir will offer numerous fist-pump moments.
It's very very funny... it was a really enjoyable memoir but very disquieting too.
Lindy West is an essential (and hilarious) voice for women. Her talent and bravery have made the Internet a place I actually want to be.
If you've ever been labelled with a condescending big-girl euphemism such as "bubbly" or "exuberant" . . . you will laugh your chubby head off at West's book
Shrill is a gutsy, whip-smart and fierce demonstration of the importance and the cost of speaking out
She reveals the obstacles she has encountered in challenging the status quo.
A warm, capacious and funny writer
it is a powerful and frequently furious declaration of West's right to exist and be heard
This important, brutally honest book makes for a hilarious read
Brilliant and brave
A call-to-arms for any woman who feels like she can't find her voice
The new feminist bible
Standout . . . screamingly funny
Fun and feisty