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My First Time: Stories of Sex and Sexuality from Women Like You
A collection of true stories to tell girls that whatever they're embarrassed, scared, or excited about, they're not alone - read about both the magic of self-discovery and the exploitation of innocence.
Worldreader presents this e-book in a new series showcasing fiction and nonfiction from Sub-Saharan Africa. Are you a worldreader? Read more about this not-for-profit social enterprise at worldreader.org.
Worldreader presents this e-book in a new series showcasing fiction and nonfiction from Sub-Saharan Africa. Are you a worldreader? Read more about this not-for-profit social enterprise at worldreader.org.
- GenresNonfiction
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Jen Thorpe
10 books21 followersJen Thorpe is a feminist writer and researcher based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Her latest book, Adulting 101: How to Survive the Real World, was published by Kwela in 2022.
Her first novel, The Peculiars (2016), was long listed for the Etisalat Prize for Literature (2016) and the Sunday Times Fiction Prize (2017). Her second novel, The Fall, was published in July 2020.
Thorpe has edited three collections of feminist essays – My First Time: Stories of Sex and Sexuality from Women Like You (2012); Feminism Is: South Africans Speak Their Truth (2018) and Living While Feminist (2020).
Her latest book, Adulting 101: How to Survive the Real World, was published by Kwela in 2022.
Her first novel, The Peculiars (2016), was long listed for the Etisalat Prize for Literature (2016) and the Sunday Times Fiction Prize (2017). Her second novel, The Fall, was published in July 2020.
Thorpe has edited three collections of feminist essays – My First Time: Stories of Sex and Sexuality from Women Like You (2012); Feminism Is: South Africans Speak Their Truth (2018) and Living While Feminist (2020).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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October 10, 2012This collection surpasses the standard: first time I did it. There is the first time a person hears the words 'You're pregnant,' being told 'you're infertile, to a woman's first time in a war zone, the first sexual assault, and yes, the first time a young girl fumbles around trying to have sex with her young man. The stories range from touching, to funny, to heartbreaking to downright horrifying.
Such a breadth of stories paints a far broader portrait than would be possible if Jen Thorpe only selected essays from South Africa's tiny population of writers. With such an eclectic mix, the collection valiantly strives to provide an honest example of 'the woman's first experience'. However, having a story to tell does not make one a storyteller. Thus it is the stories written by established writers, like Sarah Britten, that truly stand out.
Such a breadth of stories paints a far broader portrait than would be possible if Jen Thorpe only selected essays from South Africa's tiny population of writers. With such an eclectic mix, the collection valiantly strives to provide an honest example of 'the woman's first experience'. However, having a story to tell does not make one a storyteller. Thus it is the stories written by established writers, like Sarah Britten, that truly stand out.
April 3, 2020
Absolutely brilliant. Heart-breaking, heart-warming, inspiring, eye-opening, informative.
This book is 50 short essays written by South African females about a wide range of *firsts* they've experienced related to sex and sexuality. There were some stories that left me smiling, and some that left me shattered. A lot of them were relatable, or things I know some friends and family have experienced. These stories range from basic firsts like first kiss, first time saving sex, first time taking a home pregnancy test, to first time being sexually assaulted, first time being raped, first miscarriage, and so so many other stories in between.
It's an important read for women to know that they're not alone in their experiences. It's informative for men who want to understand women a bit better. I also think it's an important eye opener for parents to know that your kids are never too young to be taught about sexual abuse. Seriously. I know that most women have experienced - or know someone who's experienced - sexual abuse of some sort (and yes guys experience it too, I know) but it was such a suckerpunch to be reminded that this happens to kids too.
Trigger warning: rape, abuse, miscarriage, abortion (probably some others that I don't remember, sorry!)
This book is 50 short essays written by South African females about a wide range of *firsts* they've experienced related to sex and sexuality. There were some stories that left me smiling, and some that left me shattered. A lot of them were relatable, or things I know some friends and family have experienced. These stories range from basic firsts like first kiss, first time saving sex, first time taking a home pregnancy test, to first time being sexually assaulted, first time being raped, first miscarriage, and so so many other stories in between.
It's an important read for women to know that they're not alone in their experiences. It's informative for men who want to understand women a bit better. I also think it's an important eye opener for parents to know that your kids are never too young to be taught about sexual abuse. Seriously. I know that most women have experienced - or know someone who's experienced - sexual abuse of some sort (and yes guys experience it too, I know) but it was such a suckerpunch to be reminded that this happens to kids too.
Trigger warning: rape, abuse, miscarriage, abortion (probably some others that I don't remember, sorry!)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews