#ELbookclub July 2021 pick
I had UNTAMED by Glennon Doyle on my “to read” list for a while. I had heard of her in passing over the years in terms of her blog, Momastery, but never really found her to be someone I gravitated towards in terms of her work. So when this cam up as the July pick, I was excited for the bump to the top to read her work.
I’m not sure if ‘offensive’ would be the wording that I would choose, but I was not a fan of how she portrayed her story in the audiobook. Ok, hear me out. Now it certainly could have been different reading rather than listening, however I got the same vibe as I do from Rachel Hollis of “it’s all about me” and “my version of truth” and everyone else can ‘F off’. I also want to say that while I wouldn’t say I resonated with everything she said or how she delivered it, I do enjoy having read it and taking in someone else’s views that differ from mine.
I mean, I just didn’t really “get” it. The book, her message, and the reason why everyone else seemed to be in such a trance. There seemed to be a lot of rambling with no specific point, and a whole lot of narcissistic statements. I listened to audio, so maybe the physical book would’ve been better, too, and some of her statements themselves seems to resonate differently in the way she delivered them.
Some people has gotten up in arms about the language being offensive. Which, she certainly loves to drop the expletives, but hey, cussing has never really bothered me. It’s the specific ideas, not the language, that really turned me off. I felt like she was telling me that I have been hopelessly caged and conditioned for far too long. That I am a disgrace to true womanhood and motherhood. That my whole life has been one big fat lie to myself. That I have waisted my life by finding purpose in caring for my loved ones and the people around me. And that I am not being true to myself unless I am willing to be 100% totally selfish and follow “my truth” regardless of what other people say. While her message was meant to be one of liberation (and she did indeed provide some great insight into a few areas, it was almost this hyperbole of oppression -coming from a successful, famous author it just felt flat and was more judgemental and accusatory than inspiring).
While this was one book that really tanked for me, I’m glad to have read it. I never want to make an assumption about a book or it’s message and I think it’s important to expand your horizons and read/watch things outside of your viewpoints and comfort zone so as to more intelligently speak to such items.
