Mel's Reviews > The Female Brain

This book seems to be fairly polarizing.

I was browsing through the reviews, and people either seemed to love it, or to hate it.

I'm really not in either camp.

I think I do agree that at times the author over-simplifies or makes generalizing statements. I also agree that she is at times patronizing. I think one thing I see a lot in reviews is people being offended by her stating something that doesn't portray women in the best light. I saw one review which cited the author as slut-shaming, based on a passage where she described the "neanderthal" brain of a man and how sleeping with a man quickly might in the long run make him less attracted to you.

Is this 100% false? Probably not. Nature is not always flattering.

I think the takeaway is that, at times, due to our conditioning, humans are wont to behave in a way which is not idealistic or flattering. It is then our job, as thinking, mindful beings, to realize this, to rationalize our thoughts, and to confront these things and not give in to them.

It certainly wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I don't think it deserves the immense praise or outrage that I seem to see in all the reviews I've read.