Through their correspondence, the Ledermans relate stories and reveal secrets in a way that only sisters can—with a raw openness and honesty derived from a lifetime of shared experiences that surpasses the bond of best friends. By exposing their foibles and fears, each reveals glimpses of real life, both silly and serious.
While their stories are personal, the book’s themes are universal and offer perspective on larger issues. The sisters confront their femininity, but they are not confined by it; rather, they use it as a prism to critique many aspects of modern society. As the authors trade beauty secrets and hair removal nightmares, they simultaneously criticize the social construction of female beauty and laugh at themselves for buying into it. Faye finds a Russian waxing woman who nearly renders her bald, and Eve tracks down the eccentric inventor of the "Tweezerman" that is "so precise it can pluck in the dark." Gender roles, career choices and family relationships are all fair game, subject to intense scrutiny, and as a result, hilarity.
With a biting sense of humor, the Ledermans laugh long and hard at both their successes and failures. They learn to love their silly, imperfect and often self-absorbed selves, enticing readers to do the same.
