Author and Guardian US columnist Jessica Valenti has been leading the national conversation on gender and politics for over a decade. Now, in a darkly funny and bracing memoir, Valenti explores the toll that sexism takes from the every day to the existential.
Sex Object explores the painful, funny, embarrassing, and sometimes illegal moments that shaped Valenti’s adolescence and young adulthood in New York City, revealing a much shakier inner life than the confident persona she has cultivated as one of the most recognizable feminists of her generation.
In the tradition of writers like Joan Didion and Mary Karr, this literary memoir is sure to shock those already familiar with Valenti’s work and enthrall those who are just finding it.
About the Author
Jessica Valenti is a columnist for The Guardian US where she writes about gender and politics. In 2004 she founded the award-winning Feministing.com, which Columbia Journalism Review called “head and shoulders above almost any writing on women’s issues in mainstream media.” Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Nation, and Ms. She is the author of several books, including the national bestseller Full Frontal Feminism. Jessica lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.
Industry Reviews
"Yes, All Men (And Everyone Else) Need To Read 'Sex Object'" -- NPR "Powerful...incredibly readable... she wants to take us back to a place of telling stories." -- The Nation "This aching account of attempting to live, date and work while female is a brave admission of vulnerability." -- Washington Post "A bold undertaking... consciousness raising. Valenti is one of America's best-known and often divisive feminists." -- The Guardian "Valenti writes in impressively honest detail." -- Salon "Valenti uses the personal to shed light on a universally female political problem. There is an awakening that happens as a woman reading this book." -- Bust Magazine "[Valenti's] memories are relatable and raise important questions about how society treats and views women." -- Bustle "An entertaining and shocking memoir from a leading feminist writer." -- Booklist "Amazing...a profoundly raw and honest book." -- Ezra Klein, Vox "A powerful literary memoir that expertly makes the case for feminism today." -- Harper's Bazaar "Powerful. more than the sum of its parts... a bold and unflinching road map of Valenti's journey to become the woman she is." -- Publishers Weekly "A zesty, zeitgeisty memoir." -- O Magazine "Jessica Valenti is widely known as a feminist leader- with this stunningly brave and often funny memoir, we get a chance to know her as a human being. This is an incredibly powerful book. I can't recommend it loudly enough." -- Jill Soloway, writer, producer, creator of the Emmy-winning show Transparent "Adrienne Rich wrote, 'When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.' In Sex Object, Jessica Valenti tells her truth with stunning vulnerability and courage, defying easy answers and daring us to look away. You won't forget it." -- Irin Carmon, New York Times bestselling author of Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg "Deeply moving, honest, and unflinching, Sex Object secures Jessica Valenti's place as one of the foremost writers and thinkers of her generation. Her personal story highlights universal truths about being a woman, and makes the case for why feminism today is an unstoppable force." -- Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America "Jessica Valenti's powerful personal story offers unique perspective on how sexism and patriarchy manifest themselves in the daily lives of American women. Sex Object is a necessary read for women and men alike." -- Jamil Smith, Senior National Correspondent, MTV News "I began reading Jessica Valenti's Sex Object before the most recent tape (as of this writing) leaked of a presidential candidate bragging about sexually assaulting women for fun, but there could hardly be a better validation for the subject." -- AV Club
