Customer Reviews

Stripper Shoes

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very well written account of a professional woman who embarks on a new and very unique part-time vocation. Ph.D researcher by day and a topless dancer by night. Author gives compelling insights into the life of a topless dancer, her co-workers, patrons and the "dark side" of that profession. As counter-point, she contrasts the differing pressures and tribulations of her day job and the precarious balancing act for her husband and family. An entertaining and thought-provoking book!

When a 32-year-old married mother of two, struggling with depression and a mid-life crisis, decides to step out and become a stripper, this nonfiction book chronicles her thoughts. Done as a series of vignettes, "Stipper Shoes" has neither axe to grind nor point to prove: instead it simply relates some of the author's experiences and observations from on and behind the stage in an interesting and funny way.

Despite the author's PhD, she approches the subject from a personal perspective rather than an academic one. She talks about applying for the job, the rules of the club, interactions between the strippers, her first experience with the stage, all in a very non-judgemental, anecdotal way. The book delivers plenty of humor, and, for a book about the sex industry, remains remarkably (and refreshingly) agenda-free. The second half drops off a bit, as the author starts comparing stripping to other aspects of her life, and realizing that despite her experience, she still doesn't have the answers. And the ones she does have are ultimately (and admittedly) rather neutral.

As a warning, there is a good deal of space spent on quoting. Songs, lyrics, and sayings by Thoreau and Neitzche, all make it into the book at the beginning of each "chapter"; and while some are relevant, some just take up space.

Overall, it's a short read, and an enjoyable one. Not without its faults, but those chapters are easy to skip. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to read about the industry without getting preached at.

While this book could have been a cliched or snarky rambling observation more than an exposition, it is an honest, funny and frequently hot little read. The genuine straightforwardness, strength and humor it took for the author to not only do these things, but to later write about them in a way that did not require diminution of the strippers or herself is the nicest part of the whole book. Completely lacking an academic's "bug in the jar" approach within the book, the author's Ph.D. is just another fact in the mix. And she made me want to wear stripper shoes, too.

This is a hilarious, enjoyable, and thoroughly entertaining story about a woman who decides, after having two children and completing her Ph.D., to become a stripper. I particularly enjoyed the contrast the author strikes between the corporate "dog eat dog" world and the stripping/sex industry. A hard to put down book with a memorable ending.

A fascinating journey backstage leads to an honest self-examination, looking for love in all the wrong places. A voyeur's delight. Recommended reading. You go girl-great job!!

Yes, this is a fast read, but it's boring! I was looking for more spice, which is something very much missing from this book. Honestly, this book will appeal to women who are wowed by educated women dabbling as strippers and who don't want to hear about the real realities of this business. Moreover, I think this book lacks an edginess because lucklily the author was in a good life position---she had a high-paying "W-2 job," family support, an education and part-time employment in a well-managed bikini club---things most women who find themselves in the stripping business won't ever have!

Fast and Sexy Read! A fascinating journey backstage. An honest self-examination, looking for love in all the wrong places. A voyer's delight. Recommended reading. You go girl-great job!

After reading, I didn't think it was too bad. The only reason I had against this book was it being general info on the subject.