I’d miss pants too Therese

I have a feeling this will be one of many Unmentionable reviews that grace the CBR9 blog thanks to badkittyuno’s wonderful review and Jenny Lawson’s endorsement of it on The Blogess. But here goes…

Therese Oneil has dropped you in Victorian America (for the most part) with a decent amount of money and all your 21st Century knowledge; however you’re still (I guess, I mean guys can read this too) woman so it doesn’t matter how much you know because life is gonna suck but you get to know just know how much it sucks.

It’s all very interesting and very gross; for everyone who romanticizes the worlds created by Bronte sisters or Thomas Hardy just remember everyone is covered in a thin film of dirt and feces. Oneil discusses getting dressed (everything is crotch-less but not in a sexy way) as well as the struggles of using the bathroom, bathing and menstruating.

While those may make your 21st century self shudder it is her exploration into Victorian courtship & marriage, birth control and hysteria that will really rock your modern sensibilities. Also,you will never eat corn flakes again after reading about Dr John Harvey Kellogg’s thoughts on masturbation.

All in all Oneil delivers a humorous and informative look at our great-great (and possible -great) grandmother’s daily lives. I hope she tackles another era soon!