In Pursuit Of Hygiene

by Helen Razer

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

I write words. Generally, in exchange for money.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a real zeitgeist book for me, it having been around during my impressionable prepubescence and dually impressing me with Helen Razer's 'edgy' Triple J credentials and smudgy eye make up. Having finally read this book I'm so disappointed to find that it's actually one insufferably self-indulgent, lengthy brain fart, with all the coherency of a drunken rant. More lexicon than readable content. And also probably the kind of shit I would have written too, if I'd had an audience at age 27.

[Sam Quigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen would rather we all completely forgot about this book, but I still really enjoyed it. This might be because I properly love her. And picking on Bob Catter (sic) and Meg Ryan was always gonna be no-lose with this reader.

[Bronwen Whyatt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tiring.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clever and personal overview of mid-1990s Australia, characterised by a feminist slant and a critical eye for anything claiming to be an authentic representation of the approaching 21st century (think anything currently derided as 'hipster'). At times, this can be detrimental to the text, as Razer's vocabulary reads as overly complex and critical, with less said about 'modern life' on whole and more about how the author attempted to navigate the pitfalls of her own (admittedly astounding) youth. It's this confusing and inconsistent compilation of autobiographical chapters and semi-sociopolitical commentary that make the novel at once engaging, and difficult to pin down. Not for everyone, but for those able to swim through occasionally thick prose, there's some genuinely funny observations on modernity. Or more accurately, how we're doing it wrong.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an...interesting read but damnit something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. I think it's the generational gap thing to be quite honest. For a book like this that twenty years difference is very, very noticable. Scary as the changes though are the terrifying similarities- Pauline Hanson back in politics anyone?

The 2 star rating is unfair I suppose, bc this is clever, witty, engaging. But I didn't like it, some attitudes I found jarring (and outdated and tiring). It's an interesting read but I was definitely relieved to finish it.

[Cori Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 13/20