Books

Average customer rating:

Guts and Genius
Among the best in Women's Autobiography
Self indulgent gossipy trash.
A Major Turnoff
Excellent and not at all offensive

Dreaming of Hitler
Daphne Merkin
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Essays | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Qualifying Textbooks - Spring 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0156006111

Book Description

“Lush and uncensored” essays (Village Voice) on spanking during sex, shopping, Martin Scorcese, Israel, breast reduction, Gary Gilmore, depression, and other matters, by “one of the few contemporary essayists who have (and deserve) a following” (New York). “Everything Daphne Merkin writes is so smart, it shines” (Washington Post Book World).

Customer Reviews:

Guts and Genius.......2002-01-12

Ms. Merkin dares to bare her soul and takes on a lot of PC thinking. How is this "anti-woman"? In fact, she is shows us the sort of courage and bravery that makes a good feminist!

Part of the issue revolves around the fact that she openly discusses fetishes and sexual identity issues that the PC feminists wish didn't exist. In their vain attempts to crush her into shame and silence, they reveal themselves to be no better than their twisted twins on the right.

As for Ms. Merkin: You go girl!

Among the best in Women's Autobiography.......2001-10-11

Merkin is to be admired for her wit, honesty, and refined ability to soul-search. The best essays are those that concern her life experiences--those focussing on a particular movie or a book are interesting, but not as involving, as her stellar ability to confess and to comprehend what she confesses. Like all very good writers, her honesty hits a nerve, and it was interesting, and saddening to me to see the irritation of a few shocked readers on Amazon. A Freudian would say she'd undone their repressions. But that's often the price of being an honest writer.

Self indulgent gossipy trash........2000-08-07

I'd dream of a better book if I was Daphne. Its incredible what sells for literature these days. This book is the equivalent of trashy TV-Talkshows but with an overabundance of fancy words. Don't waste your money. Buy it on the street for .25 cents, then maybe you'll get your money's worth. Useless and not even entertaining. You would get more mental stimulation counting your socks on a friday night than reading this book. Daphne, get a new therapist, and write something everyone would enjoy not just your friends.

A Major Turnoff.......2000-03-31

I was rather appalled at the author's utter lack of refinement. I found her book frequently offensive and vulgar. Her "open" discussion of sexual perversion and other delights is right up-to-the moment, but trendiness is no indicator of literary value. Her witty ramblings are as appealing, and about as nutritional, as cotton candy.

Excellent and not at all offensive.......1998-12-19

Daphne Merkin is unfailingly interesting, no matter what the topic. I think it unfortunate that there are people who condemn her as 'antifeminist' or 'antiwomen', just because she risks speaking her mind. What a shame that there are women who choose to avoid all considered or thoughtful discussions on some of the matters she writes about with such intelligence. I will read anything that she writes.

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