Customer Reviews

Girls on the Verge: Debutante Dips, Drive-bys, and Other Initiations

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Though this book reads like a series of feature articles in Seventeen magazine, no theories are explored or conclusions drawn, and the author makes a few gag-inducing statements in the beginning--In an attempt to distinguish herself from the typically silly girls in the sorority rush piece, she compares the surfboard-swinging boys of L.A. to the intellectual Manhattan boys she'd chatted with the night before who "jousted over interpretations of Joyce. "-- it does have some merit. It is often informative and brings awareness to some rites of passage that are not widely experienced. The pieces about the debutante ball and Burning Man festival were particularly enlightening to this somewhat typical, Midwestern, working class girl.

I can't recommend this book as anything more than a light afternoon-at-the-pool read or as filler for a bathroom magazine rack, but I do still recommend the author. Don't let this lackluster effort scare you away from reading anything else by her. I'm halfway through her novel, "And Now You Can Go" and it is wonderful...

I picked this book up because unlike Alexandra Robbins "Pledged," Ms. Vida actually decided to experience a sorority rush as one of the "rites of initiation" she covered. For her other topics, she interviewed young women in the situations and did her best to observe some of the activities (e.g. a debutante ball). I especially enjoyed her epilogue where she attended the Burning Man festival in Nevada. I found it to be an amusing point of view and an enjoyable light read.

Vida covers some of the major American rituals young women complete on their path maturity, such as sorority rush, debuting, quincinera, and marriage, and some more obscure ones that fewer women participate, such as Wicca and the Burning Man festival in Nevada.

Her anecdotes are often well-written and insightful and worth the read--especially the opening chapter about sorority rush, but the analysis of the events and what they mean in terms of coming-of-age for women in America is not as fully developed as it could be. The chapter on quincinera could have focused on more areas of the country for a broader view of how this ritual affects Hispanic girls, and the chapter on Wicca seems out of place without any comparison/contrast to other, more "traditional" coming-of-age events. Finally, the chapter on Burning Man, while entertaining, seems completely out of place.

Ultimately, each of these topics could have been developed into individual books, and perhaps should have been. As a whole, they provide an introduction--albeit an unsatisfying one--to what seem, on the surface, to be fascinating events.

I purchased this book hoping that it would give me some insight into the rituals that girls go through. While it offered some great stories--some funny, some heartbreaking--I didn't really find any really earth shattering insights here. The book is interesting, but not essential reading for understanding the lives and psyches of girls.

A big disappointment. I kept reading it hoping it would get better, but it never did. I learned nothing from this book, nor was I entertained.

Vedela Vida's book is funny at times, and always rings true.I have only participated in one of the rituals that she desribes, but she is totally accurate in her portrayal.In addition, she does not pass judgement on any of her subjects.She tells a story, good and bad, of why young women enter into the communities they do. I only give it 4 stars because the epilogue, though interesting, seems to be misplaced.

Some notes:
-- Pseudo-sociology or 'soc. lite,' masquerading as a more significant endeavor. Author occasionally provides block quotes from more in-depth works by real academics; those may be the best parts of the book.
-- Superficial analyses. Interesting questions present themselves but author always reaches for her pre-fabricated answers. She seems to have approached this project with a simple thesis, rather than a hypothesis and an open mind. She seems to have written her conclusions before she even started her "research."
-- Author sees/presents most things in "black & white." By which I mean simplistically, not in terms of race. B/c actually she totally ignores factors like race and class, i.e., factors that would complicate and add depth to her analysis.
-- Author has little sympathy, empathy, or compassion for her subjects (except perhaps the sorority girls).
-- Bias is, of course, a part of any qualitative research project. But here the author does not explore or question her own biases, perceptions, etc. She simply runs with them. Frequently judgmental and condescending.
-- Poorly written/in need of an editor: misuses words, inconsistencies abound. Lacking coherent structure at all levels (from the formation of sentences and paragraphs, to the overall lack of coherence between chapters. Fails to explain how pieces fit together. No methodological or theoretical framework).
-- Wicca chapter is particularly appalling for its willingness to make sweeping generalizations. No acknowledgment of how limited the author's bases are for such conclusions.
-- List of complaints could go on . . .

I am enamored with Vida's husband, Dave Eggers, and assumed someone so brilliant must have an amazing wife. Not the best intro for a feminist writer, but true nonetheless. This book has an academic-sounding title, but do not be led into thinking that this is an academic work (although it would be fun for Women's Studies 101). Highly amusing and full of funny/sad/intriguing anecdotes, Vida makes her subjects compelling and spotlights cultures which most of us can only speculate about from the outside. A wonderful read - but a bit too brief on insight. Highly recommended.

I'm a sucker for the mixed essay, world-perspective editorial style of editorship anyway, so foucing upon an issue of interest to me was just a cherry on top. Girls are becoming women wherever they live, regardless of the the sociopolitical background they come from- there are two eternal truths: you friends know sooo much better, and. . . unfortunately- your mother becomes a blithering fool the moment you turn 11.

Wish I had the time to reread before I need to resell!

I really enjoyed this book, especially the part about weddings in Las Vegas. The author didn't attempt to make deep comments on the acts of these young women; she just provided the stories and let you think what you want.

This is a book to read again when you need a pick-me-up (especially the sorority section!).