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Not That Kind of Girl

A Young Woman Tells You What She’s “Learned”

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Not That Kind of Girl

By: Lena Dunham
Narrated by: Lena Dunham
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Lena Dunham, acclaimed writer-director-star of HBO and Sky Atlantic’s ‘Girls’ and the award-winning movie ‘Tiny Furniture’, displays her unique powers of observation, wisdom and humour in this exceptional collection of essays.

“If I could take what I’ve learned and make one menial job easier for you, or prevent you from having the kind of sex where you feel you must keep your sneakers on in case you want to run away during the act, then every misstep of mine was worthwhile. I’m already predicting my future shame at thinking I had anything to offer you, but also my future glory in having stopped you from trying an expensive juice cleanse or thinking that it was your fault when the person you are dating suddenly backs away, intimidated by the clarity of your personal mission here on earth. No, I am not a sexpert, a psychologist, or a dietician. I am not a mother of three or the owner of a successful hosiery franchise. But I am a girl with a keen interest in having it all, and what follows are hopeful dispatches from the frontlines of that struggle.”

 Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Women Celebrity Entertainment Thought-Provoking Funny
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Critic reviews

‘It’s not Lena Dunham’s candour that makes me gasp. Rather, it’s her writing – which is full of surprises where you least expect them. This is a fine, subversive book’ David Sedaris
‘Always funny, sometimes wrenching, these essays are a testament to the creative wonder that is Lena Dunham’ Judy Blume
‘Dunham’s writing is just as smart, honest, sophisticated, dangerous, and charming as her work on ‘Girls’. Its essential quality is a kind of joyful super-awareness: of herself, the world, the human. Reading her makes you glad to be in the world, and glad that she’s in it with you’ George Saunders
‘Very few women have become famous for being who they actually are, nuanced and imperfect. When honesty happens, it’s usually couched in self-ridicule or self-help. Dunham doesn’t apologise like that – she simply tells her story as if it might be interesting. The result is shocking and radical because it is utterly familiar. ‘Not That Kind of Girl’ is hilarious, artful, and staggeringly intimate; I read it shivering with recognition’ Miranda July
‘Frank, fearless and funny … made me want to cry out with thanks that a talented, intelligent woman has said and done worse things than I have and is repeating them without a scrap of shame … ‘Not That Kind of Girl’ is funny, empowering and as good a millennial guide for navigating and laughing at your foggy adolescence and murky twenties as there can be. I only wish it had been around earlier’ Sunday Times
‘I love Lena’s book … more shocking than I was expecting, sadder and more beautiful – anyway; within a few pages … I’m charmed, anxious, furious and totally committed’ Nina Stibbe, Observer
‘Very funny … and imbues the gloom with hope … “Having it all” need not mean hitting narrow markers of success – the perfect job/man/body – but instead being able to own your experiences: the good, the bad, the ugly. All of it’ Independent
‘Dunham’s first book is seldom less than very funny’ Iona McLaren, Sunday Telegraph
All stars
Most relevant
As usual, Lena Dunham was brilliantly interesting and fantastically insightful. I wish I could thank her for sharing her life.

Absolutely encapsulating.

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I'm a big fan of the show Girls, so thought this might be similarly entertaining, but I found it a bit disappointing. There's literally a whole chapter where she lists off what she ate for a summer. The first half was interesting, and her writing is decent, but I just found it annoying and overwrought after a while.

It's Okay, but I expected a bit more.

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really fantastic insight into a young woman's mind. I found it completely entertaining and was utterly disappointed when it ended, so much so I read it again!

very entertaining

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Review: I listened to this bo on audiobook and it was read by the author. I always enjoy when books are read by their author because I think it makes them really come to life, being read exactly as they're meant to be read/heard. I did really enjoy this book, it was a nice quick read and the structure made it very easy to listen to. The book itself is made up up mainly anecdotes toed together with major life events and so that made it easier to listen to as well.

I'm not a massive fan or this writer/actress especially but I knew I wanted to read this book because it contains real feminist thinking and total take control of your life honesty. This writer doesn't have it all, she's never had it all and so I really respect what she has to say. There are some absolutely hilarious moments in the book alongside some emotional moments. There was a low point in the book where basically Lena Dunham is just reading out her food diary, the items and the calories they contain and I found this part a bit boring, I think I would definitely have skipped over this if I were reading it in paper form.

I think this book isn't just for women, however. I think guys would enjoy the humour in this book and perhaps learn something about women and relationships as well! The book is frank and honest so if you are easily offended then you might not enjoy some of the full-on detail and crude language but I find that kind of honesty refreshing and I loved the no holds barred attitude. This isn't really a full-on autobiography, neither is it a novel, it's a collection of anecdotes thrown together with some life lessons and some very thought provoking points of view. If you like the sound of that then you will really enjoy this book but if you are looking for something that fits fully into a box then this might not be for you. In my opinion though, a great Christmas present and a great read!

Really interesting!

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I wasn't really enjoying it. I was expecting someting totaly different. Too boring, stuff she learned were a but crap- I didn't learn anything useful from her.

disappointed

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