So picture this: I'm literally on the bathroom floor, crawling around like an absolute mess, picking up the fragments of my shattered self. And no, I'm not speaking metaphorically here. These are actual pieces of me. Sounds insane, right? Well, twenty years after my renowned memoir Shutterbabe, I find myself in the depths of despair. I'm battered, broke, going through a divorce, dissected, and quite literally dying on the battlefield of sexism. And here I am, scooping up what I believe to be my internal organs into a freaking glass container before hopping into an UberPool on my way to the hospital. Can life get any more ridiculous?
Welcome to Ladyparts, my irreverent inventory of the female body and the messed up state of womanhood in America. It's the story of a woman (yours truly) who's been knocked down so many times she's practically kissing the ground. Divorce? Check. Single motherhood? Check. Navigating the treacherous waters of the healthcare system? Check. Absurdly expensive childcare? Check. Dealing with sketchy landlords? Check. Oh, and let's not forget the death of my father, the never-ending college tuitions, sexual harassment, the indifferent corporate world, ageism, sexism, and just plain old bad luck. Add to that a ridiculous lineup of serious illnesses, one after another: vagina, uterus, breast, heart, cervix, brain, and lungs. Yeah, it's a freaking horror movie, but with a hint of humor.
Now, don't get me wrong. I bounce back from each of these bum body parts. I find ways to overcome every setback thrown my way. I transform my home into a commune just to make ends meet. I even sell my soul for health insurance, and let me tell you, that's no easy feat. Oh, and did I forget to mention that I become an FBI informant? You heard me right. When my sexual harasser gets a freaking presidential appointment, I decide to take matters into my own hands. But let me tell you, it's a slippery slope when you're desperately trying to survive a freefall from the middle-class ladder. Suddenly, I'm fully awakened to the harsh reality of having no safety net.
One moment, you'll be cracking up with laughter, the next, you'll be horrified by the freakishness of it all. Ladyparts is a memoir that embodies the essence of our era. It's quintessentially American and captures the absurdity and struggles of being a woman in today's world. So buckle up, because this ride is about to take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Get ready for a story that will make you laugh, make you cringe, but above all, make you realize the importance of resilience in the face of life's most absurd challenges.
