Not That Kind of Girl cover art

Not That Kind of Girl

A Young Woman Tells You What She’s “Learned”

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Not That Kind of Girl

By: Lena Dunham
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About this listen

Lena Dunham, acclaimed writer-director-star of HBO and Sky Atlantic’s ‘Girls’ and the award-winning movie ‘Tiny Furniture’, displays her unique powers of observation, wisdom and humour in this exceptional collection of essays.

“If I could take what I’ve learned and make one menial job easier for you, or prevent you from having the kind of sex where you feel you must keep your sneakers on in case you want to run away during the act, then every misstep of mine was worthwhile. I’m already predicting my future shame at thinking I had anything to offer you, but also my future glory in having stopped you from trying an expensive juice cleanse or thinking that it was your fault when the person you are dating suddenly backs away, intimidated by the clarity of your personal mission here on earth. No, I am not a sexpert, a psychologist, or a dietician. I am not a mother of three or the owner of a successful hosiery franchise. But I am a girl with a keen interest in having it all, and what follows are hopeful dispatches from the frontlines of that struggle.”

Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Women Celebrity Entertainment Thought-Provoking Funny

Critic reviews

‘It’s not Lena Dunham’s candour that makes me gasp. Rather, it’s her writing – which is full of surprises where you least expect them. This is a fine, subversive book’ David Sedaris

‘Always funny, sometimes wrenching, these essays are a testament to the creative wonder that is Lena Dunham’ Judy Blume

‘Dunham’s writing is just as smart, honest, sophisticated, dangerous, and charming as her work on ‘Girls’. Its essential quality is a kind of joyful super-awareness: of herself, the world, the human. Reading her makes you glad to be in the world, and glad that she’s in it with you’ George Saunders

‘Very few women have become famous for being who they actually are, nuanced and imperfect. When honesty happens, it’s usually couched in self-ridicule or self-help. Dunham doesn’t apologise like that – she simply tells her story as if it might be interesting. The result is shocking and radical because it is utterly familiar. ‘Not That Kind of Girl’ is hilarious, artful, and staggeringly intimate; I read it shivering with recognition’ Miranda July

‘Frank, fearless and funny … made me want to cry out with thanks that a talented, intelligent woman has said and done worse things than I have and is repeating them without a scrap of shame … ‘Not That Kind of Girl’ is funny, empowering and as good a millennial guide for navigating and laughing at your foggy adolescence and murky twenties as there can be. I only wish it had been around earlier’ Sunday Times

‘I love Lena’s book … more shocking than I was expecting, sadder and more beautiful – anyway; within a few pages … I’m charmed, anxious, furious and totally committed’ Nina Stibbe, Observer

‘Very funny … and imbues the gloom with hope … “Having it all” need not mean hitting narrow markers of success – the perfect job/man/body – but instead being able to own your experiences: the good, the bad, the ugly. All of it’ Independent

‘Dunham’s first book is seldom less than very funny’ Iona McLaren, Sunday Telegraph

All stars
Most relevant
As usual, Lena Dunham was brilliantly interesting and fantastically insightful. I wish I could thank her for sharing her life.

Absolutely encapsulating.

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Would you listen to Not That Kind of Girl again? Why?

Maybe. I love Lena, so am intrigued by anything she has to say, but was a little disappointed by the lack of excitement in the story, but I love love her and did really enjoy it, an easy listen.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lena Dunham? Why or why not?

Yes I hope her next book is more juicy. The scene where she reads out her calories was too long, although I got her point.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Where she explains how she first made it.

Obviously listen if you are a fan of Girls

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I believe Lena when she says she feels strongly about her womanhood, is proud of her identity as a woman and I really really appreciate her honesty in telling her story.
Sadly there are moments when there is a disconnect between the story and her identity and towards the end of the book there is a loss of structure, purpose and it descends into too much self involved rambling.
I would love to hear more of other people's stories through her narrative.

Not bad

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So relatable. It's like reading my own journal if I was as eloquent and articulate as Lena Dunham. She's got a great gift in putting a girl's random thoughts into coherent writing. Her anxieties, struggles with identity and mental health resonated with me.

A millennial's memoir

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I was so looking forward to this one after seeing Lena on a scandinavian talkshow where she talked about it. But the interview made everything seem so much more.... Lena is clearly a remarkable woman and writer and I look forward to reading her memoirs!

Good listen but...

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