Gross Anatomy

“I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve wondered, especially after a spicy meal, why evolution wasn’t smart enough to build us with buttholes made out of something more durable? Titanium, perhaps?”

From the hilarious Mara Altman, Gross Anatomy unapologetically explores the beautiful, and sometimes not so beautiful, aspects of our bodies, and why they’re worth loving anyway. From hairy chins to braless outings, lice-infestations to PMS, no body part is left undiscussed as Altman takes the reader on a wild journey from head to toe, recounting experiences most of us are too polite to share.

Hugely funny and unashamedly body-positive, this book is a must-read for all women (and men, too). Through a combination of personal anecdotes and fascinating research, Mara Altman proves herself as a fearless and thoroughly charming writer, creating one of the most compulsive feminist reads of the year.

Reviews

“I love how Gross Anatomy delightfully reveals Mara Altman’s upbeat and life-affirming obsession with the human body– our lovelinesses and not-so-lovelinesses. Lots of people will soon feel far more body-positive because of this book.” – Jon Ronson

‘Gross Anatomy anoints Mara Altman at once the Mary Karr of sweat, the David Sedaris of head lice, and the Frank McCourt of nudist resorts… What more could you ask for in a book?’ – Sarah Knight, internationally bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck

"Gross Anatomy is a charming, deeply-researched, whole-hearted embrace of our imperfections, the things that women don't talk about because we feel they mar our societally imposed notions of femininity. But after reading Mara Altman's exploration of her body (and ours) you'll feel more comfortable with yourself, from head to toe." – Jennifer 8. Lee, author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles

“Forget that old fake news about sugar and spice. With wit and candor, Mara Altman tells us what girls are really made of– and it’s a hair-raising revelation.” – Tom Robbins, author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues and Jitterbug Perfume

‘Mara Altman boldly goes where no man has gone before. With this collection of hilarious and honest stories, I’m hoping that will change.’ – Lesley Arfin, author of Dear Diary and co-creator of Netflix’s Love

‘Mara Altman treads bravely where most humans dare no go: into the slippery, icky, mushy corners of the collective human bod. She comes out triumphant, concluding hilariously that not every aspect of our bodies need to be worshipped, purified, and/or plucked. Sometimes bodies are just plain odd. I read this while shrieking, laughing, and eating a bagel – as we bodies do.’ – Tori Telfer, author of Lady Killers

About the author

Mara Altman is the author of Thanks for Coming and Bearded Lady. She writes about issues that embarrass her (i.e. chin hair), because she has found that putting shame on the page diffuses the stigma, leaving her with a sense of empowerment and freedom. She currently resides in San Diego, California.