Caitlin Moran’s Moranthology. A Review.

I was sent Moranthology as a limited edition proof copy and was reluctant to read it, so as not to spoil it.  It was in a box and white and new and numbered ’38′.  However, weighing up the idiocy of spending nearly a tenner on my kindle when I have the book right there I thought I should just read that copy.  What clinched it is that, for me, an unread book is quite a tragic thing.  A book is written to be read, not stuck on a shelf to be admired at a distance or bought to impress your house-guests when really, nestled between this year’s Booker Prize list is a well-worn copy of Riders.  The main reason I still have reservations about using my kindle is that for me reading is a sensory experience and the tactility of books is what makes them so marvellous.  When I read, I first inhale the smell of the book (except those purchased in a charity shop, in which case I give them a liberal spray of dettol and avoid too much face on book contact). Then I absorb the feel and texture of the pages, the flexibility of the cover and the weight in my hands.  I like to flick back and forth in reference and in very sad books I sometimes quell my inevitable tears by peeking at the last few pages to see if the doomed character has, in fact, made it after all.

So, using my heart and not my head (always the better option), I began to read.  And didn’t stop for a very long time.  Even to make a cup of tea.  Although, as Caitlin suggests, my excessive tea consumption might be reason for the many headaches and disturbed sleep I get so maybe I should lay off the caffeine anyway.  Or there is, of course, the possibility that my three kids are to blame, not tea.  *puts kettle on*

Suffice to say I enjoyed this book just as much as the last one; possibly even more.  ’How to be a Woman’ focused on…well…women.  ’Moranthology’ is written in the same wry manner but covers a myriad of different topics, all subject to Caitlin Moran’s acerbic scrutiny.  It is also written in little ‘topic bites’ if such things exist.  By this I mean that rather than dedicated chapters, the book is split into four parts with each part containing short sections on each subject.  As well as making it very easy to dip into, it whets your appetite enough to read just one more.  It’s a bit like jaffa cakes.  You have one and that just makes you want another until the whole packet has mysteriously disappeared.  When reading Moranthology, the number of times I told myself I’d just finish this bit then go and do some housework… As I reached the end of the section the next page would present me with the title “I refuse to make you party bags.  Leave before I summon a policeman” or “Downton Abbey Review 1:  Lady Mary’s Haunted Vagina”.  Oh, OK then.  Just one more bit and THEN I’ll hoover the hallway.  Honest.

As a blogger, I find Caitlin Moran to be an inspiration.  She writes about Doctor Who/Boris Johnson/Wolverhampton with the wit, astuteness and honesty that I can only aspire to.  From a very long distance.  I absolutely adore her writing and this is primarily because whilst she is questioning the carry-ons of others she is quite prepared to point the finger at herself.  She also makes no excuses for her opinions but expresses herself with the freedom and confidence of a woman on a mission.

Well, Caitlin.  Mission accomplished.