Monologues

      I can honestly say that I have never read a book like this before. I consider myself an extremely open person and sexuality talks is something that I am quite comfortable with, but I guess living with a heap of females does that to a person. On the surface I could see how this book would be considered to be too harsh or uncomfortable to read especially to men. Rightfully so, conversations about menstrual cycles aren't really enjoyable talks for anyone involved. Ensler succeeds in using shock emotions in order to get her point across to her readers. She means to come off as boisterous and matter of factually. For that I praise her, and I am actually enjoying the book far more then I originally had thought, because the woman she speaks to come to life and their stories are interesting.
       I respond to two things in life, humor and facts. I tend to feel like this book is pushing more towards humor, but its response is outstanding. Once I was able to rummage though a lot of shock access I started seeing real life people in the text. From the old woman who never discovered their sexuality to everyday woman. One line in particular stood out from all the rest. Women at a "Vagina Workshop" were asked to draw what they thought their vagina looked like " One woman who was pregnant drew a big red mouth screaming with coins spilling out." (Page 44) It wasn't until page 44 in which the first mention of childbirth was even brought up. That is something I found slightly surprising, since that is typically the first thing people tend to think about when speaking of woman's privates. Not to mention if I was a pregnant woman that would be exactly what I would draw too.
      Though the topic maybe too harash to some tender readers it is just boldly written sexuality. I don't necessarily  agree with Ensler over usage of shock value but its the characters I'm drawn to. I think her grasping all generations is important and the stories they speak of is important. Its humor, its truth, its life.