Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts : Using the Power of Pleasure to Have Your Way with the World (edition 2003)

by Regena Thomashauer

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133	4	205,221	(3.9)	1

jsabrina's review

I first picked up this book a long time ago, and put it back because I didn't need it. I was doing well at having pleasure in my life, and Mama Gena's approach seemed a bit silly and simplistic.

I don't feel that way now.
Reading this book has helped me make a major transition out of three years of grief (after my beloved's death) into a normal life again.

Mama Gena's message is that pleasure and delight are not luxuries, harmful indulgences, or frivolous -- they are necessary to our emotional well-being. It's only when we feel satisfied and happy with ourselves and our lives that we can give our best to the rest of the world.

Each woman will define "pleasure" a different way, and that's all right. The point is to understand what pleases you and make sure that you get what you need to feel fulfilled. A happy woman is a generous, loving, powerful woman. And she has a lot more fun.

Our culture often swings to extremes in its attitudes on pleasure and asceticism. I think Mama Gena preaches a joyful balance. (

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jsabrina | Jul 13, 2021 |

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jsabrina | Jul 13, 2021 |

This isn't a bad book. Many of the suggestions are valid. Self-care, self-love, and the like are certainly important to live a fulfilled life.

But ultimately this frothy, oh-so-pink book is superficial. It would seem that all you need to live your best life is a pocket full of wishes and lots of orgasms.

I'm also bothered by the note that many of the (mostly success) stories are compilations. It makes many of them ring false.

The book also sadly feels dated. At this point it's nearly a decade and a half old. It belongs in the era of Sex and City. I'm bothered by comparing a flirting woman to a poodle in heat, by the idea that we need to "train" our men. Also, the complete lack of even a mention of LGBTQ women. There's also an entire chapter warning about your man leaving you if you can't control your bitch. (

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Heather_Roach | Jan 14, 2016 |

Although "cute," I didn't find much more value in this book than any other book about self esteem. The way the author wrote in first person was highly irritating and sometimes condescending. May be useful for younger women, but I can't say I recommend this one. (

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lildrafire | Jul 25, 2008 |

Every woman should own this book. Then that same woman should read it. And after she reads it, she should do what Mama says. If a woman figures out what she wants, asks for what she wants, and shows others how to help her get what she wants, then only joy and pleasure will result. Written in an amusing, delightful, whimsical style, this little volume can only serve to enhance women's (and men's) lives--if we do what Mama says! (

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BrahamsNotBombs | Nov 8, 2006 |

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