Women Don't Owe You Pretty
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | June 11, 2020 |
| Founder | Florence Given |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Book on intersectional feminism |
Women Don't Owe You Pretty is a 2020 publication authored by British illustrator and activist Florence Given. Focusing on intersectional feminism, the book delves into themes such as relationships, self-image, and female self-worth. It achieved sales of 100,000 copies within six months and remained on The Sunday Times bestseller list for twelve consecutive weeks, reaching a peak position of number two.
Background
At the time of publication, Florence Given was 21 years old and active as both an artist and social campaigner on Instagram. She took on the dual role of author and illustrator for the work. Given’s objective was to confront the belief that women require validation from men or consumer goods to feel valued, critiquing the "capitalist patriarchy" for perpetuating insecurity among women. Her goal was to encourage readers toward embracing greater self-love. Writing the chapter on consent and rape culture proved particularly challenging, reflecting the prevalence of sexual harassment experienced by many women.
In September 2019, rights were acquired by Cassell, an imprint of Octopus Publishing Group. The book was officially released on 11 June 2020. Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Given recorded the audiobook version from her home. By August 2020, with an Instagram following nearing half a million, she initiated a campaign inviting readers to share images holding the book. Waterstones issued a signed "gold edition" in late 2020. Additionally, Octopus launched a guerrilla marketing initiative across Birmingham, London, Manchester, and social media platforms in December 2020.
Chidera Eggerue, whose works (What a Time to Be Alone and How to Get Over a Boy) influenced Given and who was quoted on the first edition’s cover, criticized the book for closely mirroring her style and subject matter. Eggerue accused Given of profiting from ideas rooted in black culture and condemned Google for favoring Given’s content in related search results. In response, Given highlighted that she donated part of her advance to black liberation organizations; however, Eggerue deemed this gesture insufficient.
Synopsis
Employing perspectives from intersectional feminism and analyses of social privilege, Given explores issues including body positivity, self-esteem, consent, emotional labour, internalised misogyny, masturbation, microaggressions, rape culture, and slut-shaming. The book features checklists alongside introspective questions. Given offers guidance on identifying harmful behaviors such as gaslighting and racial fetishism within relationships while examining how queer partnerships challenge heteronormativity. A fictional dialogue with her younger self is used to introduce discussions around seeking male approval.
The title is inspired by lexicographer Erin McKean’s statement: "You Don’t Have to Be Pretty. You don’t owe prettiness to anyone... Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked ‘female’."
Reception
By 20 June 2020, sales tracked by Nielsen BookScan had reached approximately 50,000 copies, doubling to 100,000 within half a year. The book topped sales charts on Amazon and ranked among Waterstones’ bestselling hardback nonfiction titles in 2020. It appeared on The Sunday Times bestseller list from June through September 2020, entering at number three and climbing to number two.
Phoebe Luckhurst of the Evening Standard awarded it four stars out of five, describing it as "rallying, radical and pitched perfectly for her generation," commending its "stylish, stylised illustrations" alongside Given’s tone which was "vehement without being unremitting." The BBC Science Focus included it in their selection of "28 best non-fiction and fiction books" for 2020; reviewer Camilla Pang remarked that it made her feel "safe but also empowered, abundant, and confident" in her identity as a woman.