Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud

by Anne Helen Petersen
Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Essays / Essay Collections
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 11588
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781471171772
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2017-09-21
  • Reviews: 3

In Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud, cultural critic Anne Helen Petersen delves into the lives of eleven influential women who have defied societal norms and faced criticism for being 'too' something. Through the lens of figures like Madonna, Nicki Minaj, and Hillary Clinton, Petersen examines the cultural fascination and backlash against these boundary-pushing women. This book is a timely and essential read that celebrates the power of being unapologetically oneself. Petersen's incisive analysis is both a celebration and a critique of contemporary femininity, offering a fresh perspective on how these women redefine what it means to be a woman in today's world. With warmth and wit, the book encourages readers to embrace their own unruliness and find the rebel within.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · 2019-02-24
mixed 3.50

The book is a pretty good collection but has some major flaws, such as the Dunham essay and the lack of more women of color. The intersection between celebrity culture and societal expectations is well-explored.

This review acknowledges that the book is a pretty good collection overall, but it also points out some significant flaws. The reviewer found the essay on Lena Dunham to be particularly weak and felt that the book could have benefited from including more women of color. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer appreciated how the book explores the intersection between celebrity culture and societal expectations. They found the analysis of how these women challenge cultural norms to be thought-provoking and engaging.

Quick quotes

    Overall take – Pretty good collection, but some major flaws like the Dunham essay and the lack of more women of color.

    The intersection between celebrity culture and societal expectations is well-explored.

    The analysis of how these women challenge cultural norms is thought-provoking and engaging.

Smart Bitches Trashy Books · 2017-08-21
insightful 4.00

The book offers a sharp and insightful examination of celebrity women who defy societal norms. The chapter on Serena Williams is particularly praised for its depth and analysis.

This review highlights the book's sharp and insightful examination of celebrity women who defy societal norms. The reviewer found the chapter on Serena Williams particularly compelling, praising its depth and analysis. They appreciated how the book challenges traditional perceptions of femininity and celebrates women who break the mold. However, they also noted that some chapters felt weaker, particularly those that delved into the personal lives of the celebrities without adding much new insight. Overall, the book is seen as a valuable contribution to the discussion on contemporary femininity.

Quick quotes

    I thought the chapter was fantastic, and since my husband likes tennis (and most sports on tv, come to think of it), I passed the book to him so he could read it too.

    The book offers a sharp and insightful examination of celebrity women who defy societal norms.

    The chapter on Serena Williams is particularly praised for its depth and analysis.

NPR · 2017-06-24
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its incisive and candid analysis of influential women who redefine contemporary femininity. It challenges cultural expectations and starts important conversations.

This review praises the book for its incisive and candid analysis of influential women who redefine contemporary femininity. The reviewer highlights how the book challenges cultural expectations and starts important conversations about what it means to be a woman in today's society. They appreciate the depth of the analysis and the way the book uses celebrity examples to explore broader societal issues. The reviewer also notes that the book is well-written and engaging, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    In Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud, cultural critic Anne Helen Petersen has written her own catalog of unruly women.

    This is an incisive, candid, conversation starting analysis of the part influential women play in redefining contemporary femininity.

    The book challenges cultural expectations and starts important conversations about what it means to be a woman in today's society.

Appears in Lists