The Femme's Guide to the Universe by Shar Rednour

by Shar Rednour

The author of this funny, campy guide to feminine excess (Cosmo meets On Our Backs) succeeds brilliantly in laying down the fundamentals of Femme Shartopia, with hints on developing your own dreamy Queendom, replete with pink satin, go-go boots, and long genuine fingernails. "To grow your own nails," our guide explains, "you will need the following fiber strengthener, smoother, color, top coat (optional), orange stick, polish remover, cotton swabs." Don't despair. She goes on to detail the best ways to use those nails to drive your butch or femme partner to distraction. Other highlights include a recipe for the perfect martini--sorry, Shartini--as well as instructions on how to polish patent leather and revive Draggin' Disco Legs. Attitude, grooming, and relationships get equal time, and the author devotes many pages to the joys of true friendship. "I had one of my first S/M experiences with my friend Christina," she confides. "She lay me down on her kitchen floor and, while holding my spread legs down with hers, smeared wax over my bikini line, then ripped off the strips to the piercing din of my screams. Now that's sisterhood." --Regina Marler

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction, Queer, Butch Femme, Feminism

Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I sort of hated this book. It is kinda inclusive, but still treats trans femmes and femmes who are into femmes as the exception. It gives lip service to looking however the fuck you want, but still includes lines about how your date should never see you without your face on. Basically, if you wanna know exactly what makes me feel anxious and insufficient about femme identity, read this!

[Aradia V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shar rocks. Very useful, funny, and fierce. Should be on every femme's coffee table.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important read for every femme finding her way. I'm not Shar's version of femme but reading a fully femme-centric book that was also light-hearted was much needed in my early femme years.

[Ex Libris Animus · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's too cute. I buy it for every new girlfriend but now I'm married so I finally get to keep a copy. Highly entertaining. Also some truly great advice. I'm technically Butch and of course have been obsessed with femmes since birth. A book of honored possession, I love Shar❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[Iskra Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

the weird "give up all meat" screed in the middle aside, i found this a very interesting and useful read, helpful in categorizing my identity for my own purposes.

[Mary Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just silly

[Hyaliine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Highjump · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was way too outdated for me to get into but it isn't the author's fault that the internet/smartphone has changed queer dating. The writing style wasn't for me either. If you're not into the back cover description don't feel obligated to read this out of obligation to Queer Canon.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this book brought me back to myself! Many thanks to queen diva Shar (and to Patsy for the suggestion/loan ;) Highly recommended for femmes of all stripes.