Chick for a Day: What Would You Do If You Were One [Hardcover]

Fiona Giles (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 186403128X | ISBN-13: 978-1864031287 | Publication Date: August 2001

The bestselling author of DICK FOR A DAY, a gender crossover phenomenon tickling fans of humour and gender studies buffs alike, presents the other side of the coin. The book boasts an impressive collection of Y-chromosomed wordsmiths recruited to wax lyrical, playful, erotic and even philosophical about what they would do, think, or feel if they suddenly found their genetalia had become distinctly female. Among the contributors are alternative press darling Jonathan Ames, acclaimed novelist Rick Moody and poet Jeremy Reed. Beyond the hilarious leaps of imagination and cleverly spun conciets, the anthology's chief discovery is in the way becoming physically female seems to encourage greater insights into both sexes. Alternatively outrageous and sociologically profound, the eclectic CHICK FOR A DAY is a woderfully unique homage, full of eye-opening reading for men, women and everyone in between.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A follow-up to Giles's Dick for a Day, this collection of essays, poems and stories by men fantasizing about becoming endowed with female genitalia for 24 hours contains neither profundity nor insight, although it is amusing and, at times, fascinating. From novelists Rick Moody and Alexander Theroux to NPR correspondent Andrei Codrescu to poets Jeremy Reed and Richard Foerster, a legion of acclaimed wordsmiths both straight and gay weigh in. In her excellent introduction, Giles explains that for many of the women who contributed to the previous collection, putting on maleness gave them a sense of belonging and freedom, whereas femininity, for the men, was often a joke. She writes, "For men to put on femaleness is to stand out as comically shocking, or at least flamboyantly frivolous. If the female costume is exaggerated, this is funny not because women are powerful but because womanhood appears to be an inherently risible option within patriarchy." Few men in the collection actuZally explore what it means to be female in our society. Most of the pieces, like Justin Chin's "Marianne Faithfull's Cunt" and Ronald Sukenick's "Womanizer," focus solely on sex, and plenty of it. Not surprisingly, masturbation (with and without accessories) also proves to be a popular theme. Although some writers gain some insight into male behavior through their exploits, most are content to tire themselves out, along with their new equipment, as quickly as possible. The result is a humorous romp through male fantasy that includes a great deal of primping, pouting and posing. Agent, Elaine Markson. (Feb.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A one-trick collection of essays, short stories, poems, and one-liners, each of which, turning the tables on Giless previous anthology, Dick for a Day (not reviewed), has men imagining becoming a woman for one day. Some of the 38 talented contributors bear such familiar names as Andrei Codrescu, but most will be better known to alternative-press readers. They become female by having an operation, taking part in a government experiment, using a magic wish-fulfilling machine, or experiencing a miracle. Their initial reaction is usually surprise and intrigue over their new body; some writers stew over picking a perfect name for their vagina. Many feel empowered, wanting to achieve an orgasm as quickly as possible, either by sex or masturbation or, in Bayard Johnsons case, by horseback riding. Others tackle difficulties women can face, from harmless nuisances (getting unwanted looks and passes) to being raped or physically abused, as in South African writer and director Ian Kerkhofs Sometimes It Aint Easy Being a Gal. Bernard Cohen remains a woman long enough to give birth, while Bruce Bauman offers insight into a womans experiencing the loss of ego and confidence that comes with the inability to have a child. Another poignant piece is Bill Bueges poem, which explores being an old, lonely woman with turkey-wattle arms. Although Gerald Locklin does not relish the idea of being female (Actually, I would probably kill myself), John Vanderslices character is so pained by the feeling of loss after being transformed back to a man that he has to call in sick to work. In the end, most characters find their experience a day to love my vagina for giving me the power of a new manner of feeling and compassion and wisdom. Diverting and at times amusing, yet not particularly thought-provoking. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 259 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Pr Australia (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 186403128X
• ISBN-13: 978-1864031287
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,851,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Title Should Be: "How the Weaker Sex Lives", March 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: CHICK FOR A DAY: What Would You Do If You Were One? (Hardcover)

This book features chapters written by men who primarily see women as pushovers who cry alot. Even the cover depicts a man holding jugs to his chest. It is obvious that this book sends a message out to women and men that women are somewhere below dogs on the food chain.

How do you suppose women who work menial jobs would feel after reading this book? As for the male contibutors, they obviously don't have the capacity to see past themselves, let alone apologize. In order to do that, you have to care about people. For their information, most women are not weeping doormats (or pickups). Ms. Giles, thank you for the wake up call. You asked men what they really thought it would be like to be a "chick" and they told you. Silly me, I thought men respected women.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It teaches, November 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: CHICK FOR A DAY: What Would You Do If You Were One? (Hardcover)

Despite what some other reviewers have written, this book does deal with the subject matter (the perspectives of male writers on the gender identity of women)-- and in most cases, it does so with a great deal of respect.

Upon receiving this book, I immediately threw out the cover art. ^_^ I was ready to read something a bit more thoughtful than the cover art implies, and I found the art to be a distraction. With that out of the way, I was able to enjoy some fascinating short stories and essays written by authors I have never encountered before.

I read this book over the course of several mornings, so I was able to muse upon the points raised in the more thoughtful stories. At the same time, I read Jack Chalker's "The Identity Matrix", which I discovered added depth to Ms. Giles' collection. Taken as a whole, I find that my experiences with these two books have expanded my awareness of the issues women must deal with in Western society. I believe that I learned some valuable lessons, particularly from the Brain Bouldrey story "Monster" and Rick Moody's offering. I name those two because they stand out in recent memory-- but almost all of the stories raised points worth pondering.

Of course, there were a few "brain candy" stories, too-- the ones that seemed to deal mostly with wish-fulfillment and sensual pleasures. But these stories only served to illustrate the points made by other writers in the book. ^_^ It became really obvious which writers were comfortable with exploring the concept of the feminine-- and which ones were more interested in women as objects. As the author notes in her foreword, the majority of the writers were very respectful and thoughtful in regard to feminine identity-- and, I would add, *without* disrespecting their own gender. That was one thing that made this book most enjoyable-- the writers really seemed to think before they wrote.

Overall, I would recommend this book as an enjoyable read and a good starting point for discussions of gender identity. I try to limit my collection of books (makes moving easier), but this is one book that I plan to keep for a while longer, as a source of "food for thought". For those who complained that it objectifies or disrespects women, I respectfully reply, "You get out of it what you put into it."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and wise, February 11, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CHICK FOR A DAY: What Would You Do If You Were One? (Hardcover)

While there are a few misfires, on the whole this book hits the mark with excellent stories and vignettes that reveal as well as entertain. The best pieces -- like Bill Bozzone's "Breast Men," for example -- provide insight into the male psyche and human nature, as well as gender differences. Definitely a must read.