Girls and Sex

by Peggy Orenstein
Girls and Sex cover
Good Books rating 4.47
Technical
  • ID: 4379
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
dailykos.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 4.50

Peggy Orenstein's 'Girls and Sex' is a comprehensive and eye-opening exploration of the sexual landscape for young women today. It challenges societal norms and provides valuable insights into the complexities of female sexuality.

Peggy Orenstein's 'Girls and Sex' delves deeply into the sexual experiences and attitudes of young women, offering a nuanced and often unsettling look at the pressures and expectations they face. The book is both informative and thought-provoking, highlighting the need for better sex education and more open conversations about consent and pleasure. Orenstein's research is thorough, and her writing is engaging, making the book accessible to a wide audience. While some may find the topics challenging, the insights are invaluable for understanding the current state of sexual health and education for young women.

Quick quotes

    They are not having more sex than their mothers did, but they are having it differently

    The book is a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers to rethink how we talk about sex and sexuality with young women

    Orenstein's work is a crucial contribution to the ongoing conversation about gender and sexuality.

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
excellent 4.50

The reviewer found the book to be a perfect blend of weird and wonderful, with addictive writing and a fast-paced plot. They loved the characters and the emotional depth, despite some initial nervousness about the genre. The reviewer also appreciated the clever nods to other works and the unique subgenre.

The reviewer was initially nervous about reading this book, as it was their first Seanan McGuire novel outside of their favorite series, The Wayward Children books. However, they found it to be one of their new favorite books of all time. The reviewer loved the fast-paced, fun, and otherworldly plot, as well as the emotional depth and the clever nods to other works. They also appreciated the unique subgenre and the addictive writing. The reviewer found the characters, Roger and Dodger, to be precious and lovable, and they were impressed by how the author managed to balance the fantastical elements with real-life issues. Overall, the reviewer highly recommends this book and hopes for a sequel.

Quick quotes

    This synopsis had been taunting me for months. It's honestly just so well written I can barely stand it.

    But slap my ass and call me Judy, if this isn't one of my new favourite books of all time.

    There were scenes right from the jump that almost had me in tears.

thebookselfblog.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2016-06-22
engaging 4.40

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire takes a unique approach to storytelling, revealing its secrets slowly and effectively. The complex plot is centered around the simple yet compelling relationship between Roger and Dodger, who must navigate their connection to find the Impossible City. The book's strength lies in its character-driven narrative, though some aspects of the ending may leave readers wanting more clarity.

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire is a captivating read that employs a 'low and slow' approach to storytelling, revealing its secrets bit by bit. This method is effective because McGuire centers a complex story structure around the compelling and simple character stakes of Roger and Dodger. The plot revolves around these two characters, who are incarnations of Language and Mathematics, respectively. They must navigate their relationship and the timelines to find the Impossible City before their creator, James Reed, can use them for his own purposes. The book's strength lies in its character-driven narrative, as the depth of Roger and Dodger's relationship is beautifully portrayed. However, some aspects of the ending may leave readers wanting more clarity, particularly regarding Reed's goals and the true nature of the Impossible City. Despite this, the book is a great introduction to McGuire's engaging style and will be enjoyed by her fans.

Quick quotes

    MIDDLEGAME takes the ‘low and slow’ approach, revealing its secrets bit by bit. It’s effective because McGuire centers a complex story structure around compelling and simple character stakes to make an unusual story.

    While the plot may be complicated, what makes MIDDLEGAME ultimately effective is that the character stakes are simple. Roger and Dodger need to find a timeline where they haven’t broken faith with each other, where they love and trust each other enough to push through the final stretch of the Improbable Road and on to the Impossible City.

    Their relationship is complicated, not just because they are the incarnations of universal forces, but because they are people, who make sad and wrong and scary choices all the time.

romanticparvenu.com · Unknown · 2016-03-31
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer praises "Girls and Sex" by Peggy Orenstein for its urgent and evocative prose, highlighting the book's exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the resistance to control. The book is described as heartbreaking yet heartwarming, with a compelling narrative that delves into the depths of human nature.

The reviewer highly recommends "Girls and Sex" by Peggy Orenstein, noting its urgent and evocative prose that draws readers in from the very first page. The book centers around two individuals created as an alchemist's experiment, exploring themes of power, corruption, and the human resistance to control. The narrative is layered with complications and depth, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also mentions that the book won major awards and nominations, and while it might break your heart, it also has the potential to make your heart full. The story is not just about the end of the world but about the resilience of human beings in the face of control.

Quick quotes

    Beware of alchemists, if alchemy is real in your universe. It can permit access to unlimited power, and while power might not corrupt, it can reveal deeply corrupt personalities.

    From the first page, the story is told with urgent, evocative prose. “Timeline: five minutes too late, thirty seconds from the end of the world. There is so much blood.

    This novel won major awards and nominations for a reason. It might break your heart — and it might make your heart full.

Appears in Lists