My Body
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4.3 • 255 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
This program is read by the author.
"Ratajkowski shares thoughts on sexuality, feminism, and power dynamics in a nuanced way that will have listeners looking for more from her." —AudioFile
"The essays are more impactful when you hear Ratajkowski read them, which she does with sincere emotion." —Shondaland
"My Body offers a lucid examination of the mirrors in which its author has seen herself, and her indoctrination into the cult of beauty as defined by powerful men. In its more transcendent passages . . . the author steps beyond the reach of any 'Pygmalion' and becomes a more dangerous kind of beautiful. She becomes a kind of god in her own right: an artist."
—Melissa Febos, The New York Times Book Review
A "MOST ANTICIPATED" AND "BEST OF FALL 2021" BOOK FOR * VOGUE * TIME * ESQUIRE * PEOPLE * USA TODAY * CHICAGO TRIBUNE * LOS ANGELES TIMES * SHONDALAND * ALMA * THRILLEST * NYLON * FORTUNE
A deeply honest investigation of what it means to be a woman and a commodity from Emily Ratajkowski, the archetypal, multi-hyphenate celebrity of our time
Emily Ratajkowski is an acclaimed model and actress, an engaged political progressive, a formidable entrepreneur, a global social media phenomenon, and now, a writer. Rocketing to world fame at age twenty-one, Ratajkowski sparked both praise and furor with the provocative display of her body as an unapologetic statement of feminist empowerment. The subsequent evolution in her thinking about our culture’s commodification of women is the subject of this book.
My Body is a profoundly personal exploration of feminism, sexuality, and power, of men's treatment of women and women's rationalizations for accepting that treatment. These essays chronicle moments from Ratajkowski’s life while investigating the culture’s fetishization of girls and female beauty, its obsession with and contempt for women’s sexuality, the perverse dynamics of the fashion and film industries, and the gray area between consent and abuse.
Nuanced, fierce, and incisive, My Body marks the debut of a writer brimming with courage and intelligence.
A Macmillan Audio production from Metropolitan Books
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Emily Ratajkowski is one of the world’s top models and an accomplished actor. So when she has thoughts about feminist topics like objectification and the male gaze, she’s talking from years of personal and professional experience. This makes her collection of essays weighty, candid, and deeply personal. Ratajkowski shot to fame in 2013 with her barely covered appearance in Robin Thicke’s controversial video for the song “Blurred Lines.” She reflects on that experience—in which she and the other models felt more like props than people—and on many others, thoughtfully exploring how her perspective on life in front of the camera has evolved. In one insightful anecdote, Ratajkowski remembers thinking it would be empowering to get paid for men to look at her—since they did that anyway—only to discover that no actual power came with the job. Ratajkowski’s reading voice is as steady, earnest, and compelling as her ideas. My Body is a fascinating look at the meaning of female beauty.
Customer Reviews
Beautifully written
As a father of a young daughter, I highly recommend reading “My Body”. Emily’s stories are not always easy to hear, but her perspective and insights are super informative and important. So Raw.
Insightful…
Very interesting, relatable and inspiring. I feel that any girl who dreams of a modeling career would gain useful insight and knowledge from this book. Thankful for Emily for sharing her life
Honest and relatable
I found myself relating so much to Emily’s experiences. I am a laborer, and although in a different industry, I deeply felt her description of being constantly scrutinized and the simultaneous feelings of disgust and hoping to prove myself or please.
I disagree with those who say her book lacks consideration of the female gaze and how she impacts other women. This is her memories and perspective, not a complete assessment of her existence, and it is unique and important. It honestly made me feel less alone.