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Strip: The Making of a Feminist
The exotic dancer exists in popular culture most often as scenery. When she is allowed to speak, she does so to the male protagonist and is either the conniving woman attempting to relieve the hero of the cash in his wallet, or fallen woman in need of rescue. She is rarely named, existing only as a backdrop, red lights flashing on pliant flesh like a crime scene. She is white, blonde, slim, with large breasts. She is stripper Barbie, plastic porn. Strip brings nuance to a subject that is often overlooked, ignored, or otherwise silenced. To all readers of human culture interested in the anthropology of what it means to be a sex object in modern America, this book is about much more than stripping. It argues that gentlemen’s clubs are a microcosm that distills the female experience of patriarchal culture. On the body of woman is written male desire. In the eyes of woman, gazing at the male, culture can truly be seen.
Advance Praise
Catlyn Ladd gives us a compelling and dramatic view into the world of desire. Her journey, mind and body and heart, takes the reader into her experience as a voyeur without judgement and with critical insight. The book is raw, dangerous, sensitive, and real, like the life Ladd portrays. It reads like social science with a storyteller's heart.
- Michelle Auerbach, author of The Third Kind of Horse and Alice Modern
Advance Praise
Catlyn Ladd gives us a compelling and dramatic view into the world of desire. Her journey, mind and body and heart, takes the reader into her experience as a voyeur without judgement and with critical insight. The book is raw, dangerous, sensitive, and real, like the life Ladd portrays. It reads like social science with a storyteller's heart.
- Michelle Auerbach, author of The Third Kind of Horse and Alice Modern
- GenresFeminismNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
Published June 29, 2018
1 person is currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 30, 2018
This was such an interesting book! Catlyn Ladd was an exotic dancer for five years while studying for her masters degree, and here she offers fascinating insight into the industry from both a personal and an academic perspective. This is an intersectional, sex-positive book that acknowledges the grey areas - is exotic dancing empowering or demeaning? Can it be both?
There were moments where I wished for more depth, but Ladd herself admits that while she is writing this retrospectively based on journals written at the time, it wasn't intentional ethnographic investigation. Regardless, it's an excellent book, and I'd highly recommend it.
Thank you to Changemakers & Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
There were moments where I wished for more depth, but Ladd herself admits that while she is writing this retrospectively based on journals written at the time, it wasn't intentional ethnographic investigation. Regardless, it's an excellent book, and I'd highly recommend it.
Thank you to Changemakers & Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
January 13, 2020
Strip provides readers with a fascinating insight into the mind of an exotic dancer from a performer turned academic and through its depiction, the story realises strong feminist and liberal ideologies. Highly recommended!
From the outset, I found the author’s insight into her experiences very surprising. I expected sleazy men and drunk bachelors and what we find within the pages of this book are the complete opposite. In some cases, we’re introduced to intelligent men seeking the company of equally intelligent women and lonely men trying to find their way in life and turning to the dancers as a form of therapy. Each chapter introduces readers to a new patron and you start to see the types of men who frequent these clubs. I found the way the author broke her story down enlightening as each chapter challenged my perceptions and expectations.
The dancers we meet were a mixed bag of personalities and each evidently performed for different reasons. There is clearly a calling to be looked upon as an idol and this in some cases leads to a desperate search to find create the perfect body. With rich patrons willingly offering up cash for these girls to further improve their looks, you can’t help but wonder if these men are feeding off the dancers’ insecurities by funding their desires or if the women have the upper hand and use the men for their own purposes.
Despite the competitive nature of this job, the women clearly share a bond. Referred to a “fresh meat” when starting out, most women would start waving the feminist flag aloft at the perceived slight to their gender and yet these dancers took the term in their stride. It is clear from the outset that these women either simply discount the opinions of men or are happy to simply play their part as a means to an end, as was clearly the case with the author who simply danced for enjoyment and to fund her academic studies never questioning her looks or actions.
At the end of the book, the author sets out a series of questions designed to further challenge our opinions on the empowerment of women, gender equality and class economics. Although written in part as a biography, this story also delves into current research on exotic dancing and the author uses critical commentary in order to challenge the preconceptions of readers by presenting the facts in a way to allow readers to form their own opinions.
This ebook was kindly provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley prior to release in return for an honest and unbiased review.
We are proud to provide honest and unbiased reviews written from the heart.
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From the outset, I found the author’s insight into her experiences very surprising. I expected sleazy men and drunk bachelors and what we find within the pages of this book are the complete opposite. In some cases, we’re introduced to intelligent men seeking the company of equally intelligent women and lonely men trying to find their way in life and turning to the dancers as a form of therapy. Each chapter introduces readers to a new patron and you start to see the types of men who frequent these clubs. I found the way the author broke her story down enlightening as each chapter challenged my perceptions and expectations.
The dancers we meet were a mixed bag of personalities and each evidently performed for different reasons. There is clearly a calling to be looked upon as an idol and this in some cases leads to a desperate search to find create the perfect body. With rich patrons willingly offering up cash for these girls to further improve their looks, you can’t help but wonder if these men are feeding off the dancers’ insecurities by funding their desires or if the women have the upper hand and use the men for their own purposes.
Despite the competitive nature of this job, the women clearly share a bond. Referred to a “fresh meat” when starting out, most women would start waving the feminist flag aloft at the perceived slight to their gender and yet these dancers took the term in their stride. It is clear from the outset that these women either simply discount the opinions of men or are happy to simply play their part as a means to an end, as was clearly the case with the author who simply danced for enjoyment and to fund her academic studies never questioning her looks or actions.
At the end of the book, the author sets out a series of questions designed to further challenge our opinions on the empowerment of women, gender equality and class economics. Although written in part as a biography, this story also delves into current research on exotic dancing and the author uses critical commentary in order to challenge the preconceptions of readers by presenting the facts in a way to allow readers to form their own opinions.
This ebook was kindly provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley prior to release in return for an honest and unbiased review.
We are proud to provide honest and unbiased reviews written from the heart.
Email: jezabellgirlandfriends@gmail.com
Web: http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jezabellgirlandfr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jezabell_girl
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/jezabellg...
Google+: http://google.com/+JezabellGirl
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JezabellGirl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jezabell_girl
May 30, 2021
I tried. And then I tried again. And then I tried a third time, in hopes I would make it through this book.
I made it to 25% before giving up entirely.
First, there's the overall feel of the book. Memoir with a great collection of stories, and then suddenly a thesis style facts section thrown in, I think meant to explain her growth but instead felt like a forced justification.
Second, there was Catlyn herself. I feel hypocritical, but as you bang on about the freedoms of feminism and the choice to strip, how dare you question someone else's freedom to choose to let other's pay for their choices. There's a story about another stripper letting a customer pay for a boob job where she condemns the other woman for giving up ownership of her body. It was just too painfully hypocritical to me.
I made it to 25% before giving up entirely.
First, there's the overall feel of the book. Memoir with a great collection of stories, and then suddenly a thesis style facts section thrown in, I think meant to explain her growth but instead felt like a forced justification.
Second, there was Catlyn herself. I feel hypocritical, but as you bang on about the freedoms of feminism and the choice to strip, how dare you question someone else's freedom to choose to let other's pay for their choices. There's a story about another stripper letting a customer pay for a boob job where she condemns the other woman for giving up ownership of her body. It was just too painfully hypocritical to me.
March 16, 2018
I came to this book with fairly high expectations; I felt sure that an ex-stripper turned academic would share some great insights and have a unique perspective on the feminist movement.
The book is divided into three sections. Each contains a number of autobiographical accounts and a final chapter of ‘academic’ analysis.
Many of the accounts are interesting and enlightening, there are some interesting characters and the author’s voice comes through very clearly. Sadly, that’s the rub.
I’ve never read an academic book that contains the words ‘Now I’m an academic’, ‘Now I’m in academia’, and similar, as much as this one. Constant references to her extreme intelligence, being the cleverest person in the room, people being intimidated by her intelligence, became tiresome and alienating.
Show, don’t tell. Stephen Hawking didn’t use several chapters in each of his books to describe his own genius.
Despite the author’s attempts to discredit anyone else writing in the subject, I’d recommend ‘Strip City’ by Lily Burana, published by Virago. It’s far superior in every way.
The book is divided into three sections. Each contains a number of autobiographical accounts and a final chapter of ‘academic’ analysis.
Many of the accounts are interesting and enlightening, there are some interesting characters and the author’s voice comes through very clearly. Sadly, that’s the rub.
I’ve never read an academic book that contains the words ‘Now I’m an academic’, ‘Now I’m in academia’, and similar, as much as this one. Constant references to her extreme intelligence, being the cleverest person in the room, people being intimidated by her intelligence, became tiresome and alienating.
Show, don’t tell. Stephen Hawking didn’t use several chapters in each of his books to describe his own genius.
Despite the author’s attempts to discredit anyone else writing in the subject, I’d recommend ‘Strip City’ by Lily Burana, published by Virago. It’s far superior in every way.
June 26, 2018
This book was provided to me by NetGalley and Changemakers Books. All opinions are my own. Pub Date 29th Jun 2018.
In this book, the author is recounting her experiences while working as a stripper over a time of five years to put herself to school.
The book is mostly focused on her story and with very little research based information. Nevertheless I still feel like we are getting an interesting glimpse into this section of sex work.
Ladd took this very patriarchal industry and used it as her vehicle for her female empowerment. She does acknowledge her privilege which I do believe is a key component to put this book into the right perspective.
Overall I enjoyed following these stories, that spanned all the way from hilarious to heart breaking.
In this book, the author is recounting her experiences while working as a stripper over a time of five years to put herself to school.
The book is mostly focused on her story and with very little research based information. Nevertheless I still feel like we are getting an interesting glimpse into this section of sex work.
Ladd took this very patriarchal industry and used it as her vehicle for her female empowerment. She does acknowledge her privilege which I do believe is a key component to put this book into the right perspective.
Overall I enjoyed following these stories, that spanned all the way from hilarious to heart breaking.
May 1, 2018
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This shows how very little has changed in this day an age, with women still being categorised by what they do for a job.
Very enlightening.
This shows how very little has changed in this day an age, with women still being categorised by what they do for a job.
Very enlightening.
January 21, 2018
Catlyn Ladd's Strip weaves a tale that invites the reader into both a somatic and cerebral exploration of exotic dancing in the United States. The author tells an engaging tale of her experience as a stripper while challenging readers to assess for themselves the impact of exotic dancing on all participants. I even unexpectedly found myself questioning the influence of research bias on my opinions of what it means to be a stripper. While I've read memoirs and research on the topic, I've never before experienced the nuance of a book that integrates each approach. The book is thoughtful, deeply honest, and thoroughly enjoyable.
I'd love to see Catlyn Ladd write a follow-up exploring the relationship between the early immigrants to America, particularly the Puritans, and our current cultural mores around sexuality and sex work.
I'd love to see Catlyn Ladd write a follow-up exploring the relationship between the early immigrants to America, particularly the Puritans, and our current cultural mores around sexuality and sex work.
April 16, 2018
Strip is one of the most enjoyable, thought-provoking, layered works I've read since I don't know when, a delightful combination of themes I'm not accustomed to seeing in the same body of work, much less in a single book..
Strip is truly metaphysical, yet Catlyn Ladd mentions philosophy only a few times and mostly in the context of episodic discussions of philosophical issues juxtaposed with the strip club backdrop. Her journal doesn't read like a metaphysical discussion; it reads ... like a journal, on first reading, anyway. To me, it's three interwoven stories: part journal, part academic literature review and part love story - not so much equal in length but equal in meaning. The love story looks like an episode or perhaps an after thought, occupying a few pages in the grand scheme of the book -- not quite as off-hand as "Oh, by the way, I also met my partner while stripping" but not built up as a major sub-plot, either. The love story (most of it unwritten, implicit) simply happens in and around the strip club - an example of how Catlyn Ladd puts the strip club square in the midst of life and not on the margin or in the shadows. If anything, the love story is in the shadows but no less meaningful for sparse treatment. Ladd separates her job of stripping from the rest of her life the same way most of us do with our jobs -- that is, not actually separate but in the way that life always happens before work, at work or after work -- not really a part of work but not something we completely put aside for our shift and then switch back on when we clock out. The journal is the top surface. The literature review is a clearly visible layer woven into the journal. The love story happens a bit by surprise, but only a surprise to those with stereotypical preconceptions about strip clubs, strippers and stripping. Without those preconceptions, the love story is quite natural - as if it was bound to happen, with or without the strip club. Of course, that may speak volumes about Greg, who doesn't say much himself in this book - maybe not outside the book, either.
This is worth reading three times, as I did, for the journal, for the lit review, and for the love story. I recommend that order, which will feel natural as the journal unfolds. Reading just for the journal, the (literally) naked expose of the life of sex work, sets the stage for re-reading for the lit review. If you can keep both of those in your head easily (I can't; narrative and analysis don't play nicely together in my head), then maybe you can get all this in a single read. The love story is still worth stripping away (sorry, pun intended) from the rest, because it makes a fundamental statement about sex work. It's sex, and it's work, but it's not a sex worker's entire life or anything more than a means to an end -- in other words, like any other job, only (mostly, in this case) naked. And the love story simply separates itself, much as all of our true love stories eventually separate themselves from the rest of our lives, even from their points of origin.
Subtly, Ladd mocks our obsession with physical nudity by observing rich details that our obsession obscures - the real people who just happen to be naked, on display -- exposing their unobjectified selves. Our culture could use more ordinariness about nakedness (and other aspects of sex). But of course, if we had that, Strip might not be such an extraordinary statement. It would be another story about some line of work - which, in a better culture, stripping would be.
Without the love story, Strip is still recognizably metaphysical, but the love story brings into focus the nature of the existence of sex work - as nothing that dictates the rest of one's existence. Whether the love story is surprising or not may depend on the reader's preconceptions. Knowing a few other strippers did not prevent me from having my own preconceptions, but I've known enough strippers (two or three that I knew to be strippers during the time I was most acquainted with them) to intuit that stereotypes aren't useful in understanding them - as with all people in all stereotypes. Stereotypes might capture a pattern (whether or not that pattern is the result of extensive filtering or not), but they don't capture an individual. Catlyn Ladd captures the individuals, on and off the stage.
Strip is truly metaphysical, yet Catlyn Ladd mentions philosophy only a few times and mostly in the context of episodic discussions of philosophical issues juxtaposed with the strip club backdrop. Her journal doesn't read like a metaphysical discussion; it reads ... like a journal, on first reading, anyway. To me, it's three interwoven stories: part journal, part academic literature review and part love story - not so much equal in length but equal in meaning. The love story looks like an episode or perhaps an after thought, occupying a few pages in the grand scheme of the book -- not quite as off-hand as "Oh, by the way, I also met my partner while stripping" but not built up as a major sub-plot, either. The love story (most of it unwritten, implicit) simply happens in and around the strip club - an example of how Catlyn Ladd puts the strip club square in the midst of life and not on the margin or in the shadows. If anything, the love story is in the shadows but no less meaningful for sparse treatment. Ladd separates her job of stripping from the rest of her life the same way most of us do with our jobs -- that is, not actually separate but in the way that life always happens before work, at work or after work -- not really a part of work but not something we completely put aside for our shift and then switch back on when we clock out. The journal is the top surface. The literature review is a clearly visible layer woven into the journal. The love story happens a bit by surprise, but only a surprise to those with stereotypical preconceptions about strip clubs, strippers and stripping. Without those preconceptions, the love story is quite natural - as if it was bound to happen, with or without the strip club. Of course, that may speak volumes about Greg, who doesn't say much himself in this book - maybe not outside the book, either.
This is worth reading three times, as I did, for the journal, for the lit review, and for the love story. I recommend that order, which will feel natural as the journal unfolds. Reading just for the journal, the (literally) naked expose of the life of sex work, sets the stage for re-reading for the lit review. If you can keep both of those in your head easily (I can't; narrative and analysis don't play nicely together in my head), then maybe you can get all this in a single read. The love story is still worth stripping away (sorry, pun intended) from the rest, because it makes a fundamental statement about sex work. It's sex, and it's work, but it's not a sex worker's entire life or anything more than a means to an end -- in other words, like any other job, only (mostly, in this case) naked. And the love story simply separates itself, much as all of our true love stories eventually separate themselves from the rest of our lives, even from their points of origin.
Subtly, Ladd mocks our obsession with physical nudity by observing rich details that our obsession obscures - the real people who just happen to be naked, on display -- exposing their unobjectified selves. Our culture could use more ordinariness about nakedness (and other aspects of sex). But of course, if we had that, Strip might not be such an extraordinary statement. It would be another story about some line of work - which, in a better culture, stripping would be.
Without the love story, Strip is still recognizably metaphysical, but the love story brings into focus the nature of the existence of sex work - as nothing that dictates the rest of one's existence. Whether the love story is surprising or not may depend on the reader's preconceptions. Knowing a few other strippers did not prevent me from having my own preconceptions, but I've known enough strippers (two or three that I knew to be strippers during the time I was most acquainted with them) to intuit that stereotypes aren't useful in understanding them - as with all people in all stereotypes. Stereotypes might capture a pattern (whether or not that pattern is the result of extensive filtering or not), but they don't capture an individual. Catlyn Ladd captures the individuals, on and off the stage.
March 24, 2018
⭐️⭐️I was kindly provided with a copy of this ebook by the writer/publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review⭐️⭐️
I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this book but, on the whole, I was pleasantly surprised.
The writer tells us about her career as an exotic dancer, from when she started as a junior in college to her retirement 5 years later. She tells us about all the people she met along the way: other dancers, customers, bouncers and other staff in the clubs. She also gives us some insight into her personal life when relevant.
I was surprised by many of the accounts of the customers, some of whom would become her regulars. I was expecting unsavoury sleazes, and there are a couple, but they are very much in the minority. Most of the men she describes are well turned out, respectful and intelligent. Some are lonely and mistake the business relationship with a dancer as a true friendship, many fall in love and have to be let down gently. Some men are single, some not and some like to bring their wives with them, who enjoy the experience just as much as they do.
This book has a middle section where the author talks about feminism and how it relates to the world of stripping. She quotes former research that has been carried out and discusses where this has fallen short. Whilst I enjoyed this section a great deal I feel that it was perhaps a little long and might have been better if it had been split into two chapters, separated by a narrative chapter to break things up a little.
I found it very easy to get engrossed in this book and found it to be a real (virtual) page turner. It was a really enjoyable read.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this book but, on the whole, I was pleasantly surprised.
The writer tells us about her career as an exotic dancer, from when she started as a junior in college to her retirement 5 years later. She tells us about all the people she met along the way: other dancers, customers, bouncers and other staff in the clubs. She also gives us some insight into her personal life when relevant.
I was surprised by many of the accounts of the customers, some of whom would become her regulars. I was expecting unsavoury sleazes, and there are a couple, but they are very much in the minority. Most of the men she describes are well turned out, respectful and intelligent. Some are lonely and mistake the business relationship with a dancer as a true friendship, many fall in love and have to be let down gently. Some men are single, some not and some like to bring their wives with them, who enjoy the experience just as much as they do.
This book has a middle section where the author talks about feminism and how it relates to the world of stripping. She quotes former research that has been carried out and discusses where this has fallen short. Whilst I enjoyed this section a great deal I feel that it was perhaps a little long and might have been better if it had been split into two chapters, separated by a narrative chapter to break things up a little.
I found it very easy to get engrossed in this book and found it to be a real (virtual) page turner. It was a really enjoyable read.
July 23, 2018
Just finnished Catlyns book.
I enjoyed it.
It was an easy read and it has a lot of recognizeable aspects in it.
I have led a «double life» since I first started working as a teatcher some 20 year ago. I have worked my way up the system and are now a principal (in spite of all the tattoos and all the hair.) I have always worked as a bartender on the side and as a musician, so I can really relate to some of the things she writes about, but from a male perspective. We are also empowered by the objectification that comes with the nighttime activities in the bar or later on stage as a musician. I have no dubt a lot of the dancers and strippers feels the same way, and Catlyns book sort of prooves this.
I like the academic approach at the end of each chapter and this makes it interesting from a social anthropological wiev as well, but I am not sure the average reader will apreciate this as it can often be scary to have to relate to sources that one has not read unles one has studied the topic and are familiar with the sources. But as I wrote this it hit me that the target group might be just that; students... 🙂
With that said: I really enjoyed the book and I can relate to a lot of the stories and the connections in it.
I will definately recomend it to some of my friends in politics and the more academic and feminist friends in the education system.
Sigve
I enjoyed it.
It was an easy read and it has a lot of recognizeable aspects in it.
I have led a «double life» since I first started working as a teatcher some 20 year ago. I have worked my way up the system and are now a principal (in spite of all the tattoos and all the hair.) I have always worked as a bartender on the side and as a musician, so I can really relate to some of the things she writes about, but from a male perspective. We are also empowered by the objectification that comes with the nighttime activities in the bar or later on stage as a musician. I have no dubt a lot of the dancers and strippers feels the same way, and Catlyns book sort of prooves this.
I like the academic approach at the end of each chapter and this makes it interesting from a social anthropological wiev as well, but I am not sure the average reader will apreciate this as it can often be scary to have to relate to sources that one has not read unles one has studied the topic and are familiar with the sources. But as I wrote this it hit me that the target group might be just that; students... 🙂
With that said: I really enjoyed the book and I can relate to a lot of the stories and the connections in it.
I will definately recomend it to some of my friends in politics and the more academic and feminist friends in the education system.
Sigve
March 26, 2018
A particular guilty pleasure of mine is to read the memoirs of sex industry workers. This work, Strip, fits in comfortably to the existing body of works. It's not going to blow the roof off anything, but it's not as atrociously written as Diablo Cody's infamously bad work. It's honest, but it does feel like the language has been touched up quite a bit, since the writer seems a little too composed in some situations to be speaking in the manner she does, although, I could be wrong on that point. I think it's more likely that we all would like to remember ourselves as constantly being very eloquent, and that's the place she's coming from.
Ladd's book is interesting in that the academic herself was a stripper, not an outsider, but she is more conversational in her tone. While she does digress into theory, it's more a memoir of her time in the business, from creep customer to how she met her husband. In that sense, I can't treat it as academic. In terms of a memoir, it's interesting, but it's not anything new to me. It would a good introductory text to give to someone who is looking to read a book like this, but if you're looking for scandal or titillation, this isn't for you.
Ladd's book is interesting in that the academic herself was a stripper, not an outsider, but she is more conversational in her tone. While she does digress into theory, it's more a memoir of her time in the business, from creep customer to how she met her husband. In that sense, I can't treat it as academic. In terms of a memoir, it's interesting, but it's not anything new to me. It would a good introductory text to give to someone who is looking to read a book like this, but if you're looking for scandal or titillation, this isn't for you.
April 21, 2018
From the title I wasn't to sure I had a feeling that this book was going to be a bit preachy however I was pleasently surprised. The book is all about a woman who tells us about her life as a stripper. She talks about the good having lots of money to do what she wants but she also talks about the bad, not having a say in what is happening, fighting with the other girls. I really liked her as a main character, while I couldn't relate to her situation personally it had a lot of relate ability and I could see how a lot of people could relate to it. The kinds of people she met were interesting and they weren't all the same some were creepy and slimy while others just wanted someone to get in and get out. The writer tells about everything that happened and all of the different people she met along the way in her short run as a stripper from college, to quitting five years later. She talked about her clients and how some were decent well rounded men not all creepers, even though there were a few of those as well. I found some of the stories interesting and its crazy to believe that would happen. I enjoyed the story and I liked all the little anecdotes. Really good book. Really funny read and I'm glad I got the chance to read this.
November 9, 2017
Catlyn Ladd's Strip: The Making of a Feminist, is a unique and insightful journey through the author's time as a stripper while pursuing an education. She openly shares her stories and reflects on them from her current perspective as an academic almost 20 years later. It is a very self-aware exploration into the world of sex work as seen through her eyes as a white woman from an educated background. It's honest and unapologetic. I enjoyed her way of describing the clubs, the clients, her co-workers, and mostly her detailed and vivid description of how it all made her feel. Her storytelling technique brings the reader into her skin to feel her seductive empowerment. It also educates and informs on the research that has been done on the industry, making a point to challenge what has been published so far. It's a great read, with rich stories and a detailed insight into Ladd as a feminist.
March 12, 2018
Strip is the memoir of Ladd’s time working in strip bars, bars that are at the forefront of the male gaze and her perspective in this book makes for food for thought throughout.
How Catlyn delivers this book is brilliant. Her voice is distinctive and makes this book, even in uncomfortable situations, such an easy and incredible read from the start.. How she talks about the people she works with and meets, challenges what you anticipate might be the situation and challenges the stereotypes that are perpetuated by media on who these women are and the men who visit them.
The frankness of the writing and the delivery of this book is incredible and it makes me want to read so much more of her work, Ladd’s way with words shines in this short but honest book.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for review).
How Catlyn delivers this book is brilliant. Her voice is distinctive and makes this book, even in uncomfortable situations, such an easy and incredible read from the start.. How she talks about the people she works with and meets, challenges what you anticipate might be the situation and challenges the stereotypes that are perpetuated by media on who these women are and the men who visit them.
The frankness of the writing and the delivery of this book is incredible and it makes me want to read so much more of her work, Ladd’s way with words shines in this short but honest book.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for review).
July 2, 2018
As the mother of a 10-year-old daughter there were times I was reading this book with her sitting next to me and, although she never did, I secretly hoped she would ask me about it so we could start a conversation about feminism and what that means. I found the narratives captivating from the first page and enjoyed the depth at which I was able to understand each new character and the role each played in Catlyn’s personal journey as a stripper, academic, daughter, partner, friend and as a feminist. I highly recommend this book to all people of all sexual orientation as it opened my mind to new perspectives and ideas and most importantly empowered me to honor and listen to my self in relation to my own gender.
June 14, 2018
Whilst being an interesting insight into the mind of the author and the mind of a strip club worker, which was simultaneously engaging, exciting and definitely unusual, this book definitely lacked for me. Not only did I find the narrator occasionally insufferable, but this book didn't really go into the feminist aspect of stripping enough for me. It's a concept I loved, but I felt like it could have been better executed on occasion.
June 22, 2023
A fascinating look at what it means to be a sex object in American culture written through authoritative experience. Ladd's eye for detail and keen observance of human behavior makes this far more than a titillating insider tale of strip clubs. It's a mirror reflecting the monetization of sexuality and the paradox of women having to play the roles of good girl and bad girl simultaneously n today's society.
July 19, 2025
Strip is a must read for anyone interested in sex work, feminism, or social commentary. Ladd takes us through her career as a stripper, introduces us to interesting people (customers and fellow strippers), and gives the reader a lot of food-for-thought. Delving into societal expectations, religion, and American culture, this is a witty, well-written read.
June 13, 2019
Source Netgalley in hope of an honest review
Strip by Catlyn Ladd outlines the author's experiences of being a stripper. It looks at her reasons for her choice of occupation and the positive benefits she gained from her choice, saying that it made her more positive about her body and sexuality. In addition, it looks at the abuses faced by the author and her colleagues. She compares her experiences with the narratives of her colleagues, before contrasting them with the myths surrounding, both; sex work, and the people who work in that sector.
Strip by Catlyn Ladd outlines the author's experiences of being a stripper. It looks at her reasons for her choice of occupation and the positive benefits she gained from her choice, saying that it made her more positive about her body and sexuality. In addition, it looks at the abuses faced by the author and her colleagues. She compares her experiences with the narratives of her colleagues, before contrasting them with the myths surrounding, both; sex work, and the people who work in that sector.
March 17, 2018
Strip by Catlyn Ladd was a very interesting read. While I have never stripped for a living myself I am no stranger to the world of the night having been a bartender in NYC, and I have friends who have worked as strippers in several different locations and clubs. It was really interesting to read how Catlyn started stripping and what her experiences were.
I really appreciated the fact that her personal stories are interlaced with studies and facts on the profession in general, and of her view on how stripping and feminism intersect. I am personally of the same viewpoint as Catlyn: if it’s consensual, no one is getting hurt or uncomfortable, and there is no trafficking involved, then why should a women not do what she wants to do? Why should a woman not enjoy stripping? So it was interesting to read about the positive experience that Catlyn had.
However. Catlyn talks about the fact that most studies on exotic dancers are one-sided or just too general, but hers is too. She only worked in high-end, “clean” clubs (which she doesn’t hide), and therefore cannot speak to those who work in the less “clean” ones. My eyes also started the glaze over after I read the word “academic” a few times - there is honestly no need to say it over and over again, we know she is a professor, and we know she knows she’s smart. There is a part in the last chapter where Catlyn explains that she tried to keep the narrative as true to herself as possible, including her vanity and maybe snobby attitude at times - I think this sentence would have done well in the first chapter to help provide more context. There were honestly times when I winced...
For example, the chapter dealing with the stripper who is obviously in an abusive relationship was problematic for me. It’s just black and white for Catlyn, and it hovers over being slightly judgmental, somewhat victim blaming. Yes, she states that she is lucky to never have been molested, abused, hit, but the part where she tries to hammer home that she is a fighter, strong, and was taught to “make good choices” is a naive and off-putting. There is no element of choice in being a victim. There was another spot where she talks about “manly men” who don’t dance. So only unmanly men dance?! A little weird!
Also, the timeline is a little wonky, which sometimes makes it a little tough to read. We learn about how she meets her husband in detail, and then in the next chapter she talks about telling a customer that she is going to be married and refers to her husband Gabe as “her spouse”. It just sounded a bit strange because as the reader we know his name is Gabe! I’m being slightly nitpicky here, but it just stood out to me.
All in all Strip is a good read, an interesting study of how one woman sees how feminism and stripping can coincide with each other. It would have been interesting to see Catlyn compare her personal experience to other women she worked with, or possibly to other women whose experience was starkly different. Maybe for the next book!
Strip will be published by John Hunt Publishing Ltd on June 29th, 2018. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
I really appreciated the fact that her personal stories are interlaced with studies and facts on the profession in general, and of her view on how stripping and feminism intersect. I am personally of the same viewpoint as Catlyn: if it’s consensual, no one is getting hurt or uncomfortable, and there is no trafficking involved, then why should a women not do what she wants to do? Why should a woman not enjoy stripping? So it was interesting to read about the positive experience that Catlyn had.
However. Catlyn talks about the fact that most studies on exotic dancers are one-sided or just too general, but hers is too. She only worked in high-end, “clean” clubs (which she doesn’t hide), and therefore cannot speak to those who work in the less “clean” ones. My eyes also started the glaze over after I read the word “academic” a few times - there is honestly no need to say it over and over again, we know she is a professor, and we know she knows she’s smart. There is a part in the last chapter where Catlyn explains that she tried to keep the narrative as true to herself as possible, including her vanity and maybe snobby attitude at times - I think this sentence would have done well in the first chapter to help provide more context. There were honestly times when I winced...
For example, the chapter dealing with the stripper who is obviously in an abusive relationship was problematic for me. It’s just black and white for Catlyn, and it hovers over being slightly judgmental, somewhat victim blaming. Yes, she states that she is lucky to never have been molested, abused, hit, but the part where she tries to hammer home that she is a fighter, strong, and was taught to “make good choices” is a naive and off-putting. There is no element of choice in being a victim. There was another spot where she talks about “manly men” who don’t dance. So only unmanly men dance?! A little weird!
Also, the timeline is a little wonky, which sometimes makes it a little tough to read. We learn about how she meets her husband in detail, and then in the next chapter she talks about telling a customer that she is going to be married and refers to her husband Gabe as “her spouse”. It just sounded a bit strange because as the reader we know his name is Gabe! I’m being slightly nitpicky here, but it just stood out to me.
All in all Strip is a good read, an interesting study of how one woman sees how feminism and stripping can coincide with each other. It would have been interesting to see Catlyn compare her personal experience to other women she worked with, or possibly to other women whose experience was starkly different. Maybe for the next book!
Strip will be published by John Hunt Publishing Ltd on June 29th, 2018. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
June 8, 2018
A thoroughly enjoyable book, the author is a college student putting herself through university grad school by stripping. She has a healthy self-esteem, is very clearheaded and is no one’s victim in any sense of the word. Indeed she is an intellectual and a feminist so spends part of the book discussing the industry by way of research and academic theory. That is not to say, the book is boring. Indeed, I found it quite fascinating. Well-written and very interesting.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.
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