Virgin Territory: Stories from the Road to Womanhood

by Cathy Alter

From Barbies to Bras to Botox . . .

Of course you remember your first period, but what about the first time you donned a suit and a pair of sensible pumps for a job interview? How about the first time you were catcalled while walking down the street? The first time you said something that sounded just like it came out of your mother’s mouth? Do you remember the first time you lost a dear friend? Or the first time you experienced the trauma of the department store makeup counter? How about your first earth-shattering orgasm?

A woman’s life is one of passages, of stages marked by changes in our bodies and in our minds. Our lives are shaped by a series of “first times,” and Cathy Alter presents a wonderful array of these experiences in Virgin Territory. Here are first-
person accounts from a cross-section of women from a rich variety of backgrounds that will remind you of all those special firsts in your own life, both mortifying and monumental,

• First Tales of bras, designer jeans, stilettos, and all the other things we wear (and do) to make ourselves beautiful
• First Adventures with dirty books, obscene phone calls, and those naughty little pleasures we never reveal
• First Accounts of the awesome power of T&A
• First Escapades from the working life—it’s not all pantyhose and briefcases
• First Sagas of leaving home, breaking up, and moving on

Whether you are in love for the first time or experiencing your first hot flashes, Virgin Territory will remind you of the sisterhood we women are fortunate enough to be a part of and inspire you to sit down with your gilfriends and share your firsts, too.

Genres: Feminism

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2004

Reviews

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthwhile slender gem of a book. The format of brief personal essays suited my desires. It's disheartening to read the dissatisfaction from other reviewers. I would gift this book to my daughter or another young lady.

I think many of the displeased reviewers anticipated salacious tales. I don't think Cathy Alter sought to publish a scandalous book. Sometimes a writer just wants to release a pleasant book of easy reading. This book accomplishes that: breezy reading.

[Jayme Drain · Rating 5 out of 5]

 This book was fantastic! It was a humorous, and realistic and it felt like the people telling their stories were close to you by the way they were so open about everything. There were really no negatives about this book in my opinion. The only thing I can think of that isn't as positive is that the audience is sexist, but that is unintentional. The book will keep you reading, and makes you laugh all the time. It will bring out your mature side, and could probably answer some questions you have about not being so awkward, or how getting your period is not scary, it's natural. I would recommend this book to any woman that has the time to read it! It is a relaxing book that lets you "get away" from your life and just listen to the humorous stories these women have to tell. 

[Ellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of first-person accounts of "first time" stories from women of all ages and backgrounds. The topics range from first bras to first loves to first jobs. Although some of the stories reminded me of "Say Anything" moments (anyone remember those?), I enjoyed them, and they all made me smile. It was also interesting to note the generational differences among the stories.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea of a bunch of short writings recounting woman's firsts (of many things) sounded like an interesting read. The book itself was awful. The stories were mostly dull and didn't always seem to have an end. Most stories came across shallow. It went from being a comedy in one story to very deep the next. It just didn't work. Skip this one if you can!

[Anissa Rajala · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this is one of thee funniest outlooks on every type of "first" a woman could encounter. I found myself always laughing out loud in public and people were looking at me funny.

Excellent!

['stina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluffy but Ok.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Most of the stories were so forgettable. I had to wonder why some of them even made the book. I was expecting to read some really wild, wacky, and or emotional firsts.

[Hadorah Freckles · Rating 1 out of 5]

bloorrring. got 20 pages in and said no more.