REFLECTION: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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This is the first non-fiction/memoir I’m covering on this blog, so before anything else I want to say that I rate, judge, and review these type of books much differently than I do those of fiction. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair to say whether or not someone’s life story is “five stars.” Therefore, I won’t be applying my three crucial criteria in this review.

Rather, I think it’s important to talk about what kind of audience will enjoy this read and who should be taking time out of their day to jump into the mind of Miss Britney Spears.

Firstly, it goes without saying that if you like Britney, you have to read The Woman in Me. She has an audience from that alone – with her impact in not only pop culture, but in the music industry as a whole, I bet she could’ve published a coloring book and it would’ve won awards. (I would’ve bought said coloring book too, but that’s beside the point.)

All this to say that this review isn’t necessarily geared towards those who already know and love Britney. I don’t think I have to convince you to read her story.

But if you’re not necessarily a fan of Britney, you still might be the target audience for this memoir. Have you heard of her story? The things that she’s suffered through at the hands of not only her father, but the way the media portrayed her during her formative years?

Maybe you were old enough to keep up with the tabloids at that time, and maybe you had a skewed image of her because of it. If that’s the case, then I highly encourage you to read this. In fact, if you’ve ever been influenced to think a certain way of any woman because of the media – I need you to read this memoir.

Everyone knows that The Woman in Me is Britney’s tell-all on the abuse and manipulation she faced at the hands of her family. But beyond that, this book is also a tell-all on how unforgiving the public eye, paparazzi, and tabloids were to a young mind trying her best to make it in the industry.

I’ve never had a negative opinion on Britney – my family has always believed that she had too much pressure on her at a young age – but this book made me feel rage for her. Literal rage. Hearing her side of things, the effects that fame had on her, how unforgiving everyone was despite the fact that she was so young… It really put into perspective what the priority is when it comes to a young girl in Hollywood.

If you’re open to reflecting on the media, how you consume it and how it’s presented to its audience, I highly encourage you to pick up The Woman in Me. It’s an easy read, very fast paced and engaging from beginning to end. You might look at some celebrities differently after reading it too. (Justin when I catch you Justin-)

In addition to that, it provides so much valuable insight into what her family has put her through and the price she’s had to pay for their luxury. Her conservatorship has been in the news for years but hearing it straight from her side really shines a different, brighter light on it. It’s an additional layer to the things that she’s gone through and reveals the misfortunes she’s faced despite being a household name.

Overall, this gave me everything I was going in for and then some. Pop culture is a complicated world that gets served to the public on a silver platter. It was refreshing and insightful to see the other side of that for a change. For that, this gets three hearts, meaning that I had a great time reading this memoir and only have good things to say.

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