Any Man: A Novel

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I'm not smart enough by half to start giving some intellectual social commentary on this book. I can't talk about the feminist mystique or empowerment or use any of the buzz words. I can't even really talk about what I think Amber Tamblyn was trying to accomplish with this book.

Just like for women, our “Maude” could be any man who walks into a bar. Any man we pass on the street. Any man we ride in an elevator with. It's not all men, but it's enough of them. It's not all men, but we have no way of knowing which men it is. Hetero women are the only species who need to mate with our only known predator. You know, what I mean?

Listen, I’m just making a point. I have no real issue with this. Obviously. I do think books and shows, done with good intention, are an extra source of light to shine on the issues women face. I think that’s important – showing we are not alone in our experiences. In 2007, she co-founded Write Now Poetry Society, dedicated to creating unique and quality poetry programming. The non-profit has a long history with The Getty Museum, curating poetry events in conjunction with art openings, such as 2011's Dark Blushing, featuring new poems commissioned by poets Patricia Smith and NEA fellow Jeffrey McDaniel, based on works of art by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Blake. [31] Since 2011, Tamblyn has reviewed books of poetry by women for iconic feminist magazine, BUST Magazine. [32] James Woods allegation and Hasidic incident [ edit ] As bold as it is timely, Any Man paints a searing portrait of survival and is a tribute to those who have lived through the nightmare of sexual assault. Critical Praise

She also uses artistic choices to blend the horrors of everyday life with the horrors of the genre to create a sort of otherworldly, monstrous look at perpetrators of sexual violence. The imagery at times is disturbing and may make your skin crawl— that is her intention. It’s ironic that this character would then go on to be raped. What are feminists taking a stance against? Well, the way this character (and those before and after him) are treated after his rape, for one.

Truly one of the most powerful and thought-provoking stories I've ever read. This a work of art. It's also extremely difficult to read, quite possibly the most difficult book I've read—and I've read A Little Life. But unlike that book, I felt that Any Man came across as more real. Not to say the events of A Little Life don't happen to people, but Yanagihara's intentions with that book are much different than Tamblyn's, and personally I found Tamblyn's even more effective and moving. Though this review isn't meant to compare the two books anyway, so let's move on. Tamblyn is a fantastic writer and that’s why this review is so mixed. Tamblyn understands her subject matter so well which makes this book work in a lot of ways, if it wasn’t as deeply empathetic as it is Any Man would be worthless. And maybe that alone makes it a read you should take the time for this summer. Books don’t need to be teachable for a reader to get something out of it and they often do when reading something that helps them in some way. Give to people you think need to hear what Tamblyn’s saying. However, it also seems to be written for people who already know. You have to be in the know to even understand what real-life tropes Tamblyn’s playing off of and if you are then this book is only preaching to the choir. Women’s creative work today is inherently political. We’re pushing boundaries of how to teach,” she says. “How to get people to see what they’ve chosen not to.” Tamblyn's portrayal of Joan Girardi earned her both Golden Globe Award [54] and Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2004. [55] She was also nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress in a Television Series in 2004 and 2005. Her role on House ended with her having multiple nominations for her final performance as Martha Masters.