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Miss World 1970: The Craziest Pageant in History and the Rest of My Life
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE. Jennifer Hosten went to the 1970 Miss World pageant on a lark, representing the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada, and came home with the crown and a place in history. What was supposed to be a light-hearted affair, with a parade of the world's most beautiful women vying for the attention of the judges and comedian/host Bob Hope, turned out to be the most controversial, politically-charged, and consequential pageant ever. Women's liberation activists blew up a BBC broadcast truck and stormed London's Royal Albert Hall in an attempt to sabotage the show, which they deemed a "cattle market." They threw rotten vegetables in the auditorium and hit Bob Hope with a flour bomb. When order was restored, Jennifer Hosten made history as the first women of colour to win the title. The broadcast introduced its massive audience to both a militant new brand of feminism and a new ideal of beauty, one in which the whole world could share. Ms. Hosten followed her triumph with a successful career as a diplomat and public servant in Grenada and Canada. Her book tells the stories of the epochal 1970 contest and her life with grace and an amused modesty. Her story has been purchased by the makers of The Crown and is the basis for Misbehavior, a 2020 film starring Keira Knightley. Rising British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who plays Jennifer Hosten, is contributing a foreword to the book.
210 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 16, 2020
An autobiography by the Miss World 1970 winner, that is only mildly informative about the beauty competition and (surprisingly) more interesting in the last third of the book, which is more politically orientated.
Jennifer Hosten won the Miss World competition held in London in 1970, where she was representing her home country of Grenada (not to be confused with the Spanish region, Granada). She was the first woman of colour to win the competition. That wasn't the only reason this was an interesting Miss World edition: several Women's Lib protesters were in the audience and caused a minor uproar during the show, using a football rattle, throwing bags of flour on the stage, throwing leaflets, and squirting security people with ink from waterpistols.
About the first half of the book is about Hosten's life in Grenada up to show and concerning the show itself. There is a big "and then, and then, and then" quality to the writing - it all feels a bit flat, and Hosten doesn't have many insights. I did appreciate her calling the performing Bob Hope a coward for instantly leaving the stage when the flour exploded around him (no worry, she gushes about Hope in a post-Miss World chapter).
Then we get a limited insight in the world of a Miss World winner, how Hosten toured the world still representing Grenada, and how she met her first husband. It's not very exciting.
So it comes as quite a surprise when the last third of the book starts with focusing on the 1979 military coup in Grenada, and how Hosten, as a political outsider, is involved. After the coup (and invasion of Grenada in 1983 by the United States), the book stays with Hosten's now more political work, representing the Carribean in general, and as a Canadian diplomat. I found this a much more engaging story.
I won't lie - I would rather have seen a real historical work on the Miss World 1970 competition, containing interviews with all participants, including organisers, the contestants, the police and the Women's Lib protesters. It would be a much more complete overview, probably with a lot more interesting insights.
But that's of course unfair to hold against this book - but as an autobiography, it feels a bit too slight.
2.5 stars
(Received an ARC from Sutherland House through Netgalley)
Jennifer Hosten won the Miss World competition held in London in 1970, where she was representing her home country of Grenada (not to be confused with the Spanish region, Granada). She was the first woman of colour to win the competition. That wasn't the only reason this was an interesting Miss World edition: several Women's Lib protesters were in the audience and caused a minor uproar during the show, using a football rattle, throwing bags of flour on the stage, throwing leaflets, and squirting security people with ink from waterpistols.
About the first half of the book is about Hosten's life in Grenada up to show and concerning the show itself. There is a big "and then, and then, and then" quality to the writing - it all feels a bit flat, and Hosten doesn't have many insights. I did appreciate her calling the performing Bob Hope a coward for instantly leaving the stage when the flour exploded around him (no worry, she gushes about Hope in a post-Miss World chapter).
Then we get a limited insight in the world of a Miss World winner, how Hosten toured the world still representing Grenada, and how she met her first husband. It's not very exciting.
So it comes as quite a surprise when the last third of the book starts with focusing on the 1979 military coup in Grenada, and how Hosten, as a political outsider, is involved. After the coup (and invasion of Grenada in 1983 by the United States), the book stays with Hosten's now more political work, representing the Carribean in general, and as a Canadian diplomat. I found this a much more engaging story.
I won't lie - I would rather have seen a real historical work on the Miss World 1970 competition, containing interviews with all participants, including organisers, the contestants, the police and the Women's Lib protesters. It would be a much more complete overview, probably with a lot more interesting insights.
But that's of course unfair to hold against this book - but as an autobiography, it feels a bit too slight.
2.5 stars
(Received an ARC from Sutherland House through Netgalley)
May 29, 2024
3.75 stars
September 10, 2020
We learn about the ways Miss World got to travel the world (so to speak). Jennifer Hosten ended up on some very interesting career trajectories after her pageant. Heck living in Isloo and Peshawar pre 9/11 must have been a breeze though. But in saying that, she argues that there is room for improvement in beauty contests, but are there to provide opportunities for women "and a step up" to better things.
April 29, 2020
I received a free ARC ebook from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I was aware of the controversy around the 1970 Miss World competition because I'd seen an extensive documentary about the event and the characters involved quite recently. I'd also, long ago, heard the BBC Radio 4 programme 'The Reunion' which brought together many of the players. And, of course, I'd seen publicity for the film 'Misbehaviour' which recreates the events of the competition.
Perhaps I knew too much.
Perhaps I expected too much.
Perhaps the publicists have rather 'overegged the pudding' on this one.
If you want a book about the Miss World competition of 1970, it's disappointing. The coverage of the issues related to the Womens Liberation Movement and their 'attack' on the show is very poor. I was left thinking Jennifer Hosten absolutely didn't 'get it'.
If you want a book about the woman who became 'Miss World 1970' and how her life played out after the crown, then that's what this is. But sadly, her story is probably damaged by association with a much better and more comprehensive film about the competition.
Jennifer Hosten's win was a shock to audiences worldwide as she was the first 'woman of colour' in the competitions history. At least that's what the book claims. I'm confused as Miss India, had one a few years earlier and I'm not sufficiently up to speed to understand why she wouldn't have taken that accolade. There's an even more interesting story that the book barely mentions about South Africa and the artificially-created non-country of 'Africa South' which meant two contestants, one white, one black, were sent from South Africa at the height of its Apartheid regime. To me, THAT's the much more interesting race story at the heart of the competition. However if you're looking for an examination of racism or sexism, don't expect to get it from Jennifer Hosten. Like the embodiment of a polite living-breathing-Barbie Doll, she rarely steps away from the Mecca party line in describing her year as Miss World, even finding nice things to say about the deplorable Bob Hope.
Her year on the road as Miss World is interesting, including the Bob Hope Christmas Tour. There's something just so bizarre about flying in a pageant queen to strut about and entertain the military. Do they still do it? I fear they may well do and I wonder what women serving in the military feel when beauty queens are shipped in to entertain the troops.
Hosten's work after Miss World is interesting but treated quite superficially. I'm amazed that such an accomplished diplomat writes with the style of a suburban housewife who didn't graduate high school. Several failed marriages disappear in just a few lines on the page with barely a mention. She does good work all over the world whilst barely troubling her fingers on the keyboard.
And when it's all over, she's still oblivious to why the Women's Lib movement objected to her objectification all those years earlier. I have a friend in the USA who trains pageant girls and she can give me chapter and verse on the benefits and empowerment of young women as well as the potential to win large amounts of money towards their education. Sadly, I still can't get past judging people on their looks.
I suspect Jennifer Hosten would have done well in life with or without the Miss World competition but after reading this book, I doubt she'd have done well if she wasn't beautiful.
Addendum. In the description of her travels as Miss World, Hoston tells us that she visited the Sydney Opera House and that the Queen had opened it a few months earlier. This cannot be true. The Queen didn't open the Opera House until 1973 - at least two years after Hoston visited.
I was aware of the controversy around the 1970 Miss World competition because I'd seen an extensive documentary about the event and the characters involved quite recently. I'd also, long ago, heard the BBC Radio 4 programme 'The Reunion' which brought together many of the players. And, of course, I'd seen publicity for the film 'Misbehaviour' which recreates the events of the competition.
Perhaps I knew too much.
Perhaps I expected too much.
Perhaps the publicists have rather 'overegged the pudding' on this one.
If you want a book about the Miss World competition of 1970, it's disappointing. The coverage of the issues related to the Womens Liberation Movement and their 'attack' on the show is very poor. I was left thinking Jennifer Hosten absolutely didn't 'get it'.
If you want a book about the woman who became 'Miss World 1970' and how her life played out after the crown, then that's what this is. But sadly, her story is probably damaged by association with a much better and more comprehensive film about the competition.
Jennifer Hosten's win was a shock to audiences worldwide as she was the first 'woman of colour' in the competitions history. At least that's what the book claims. I'm confused as Miss India, had one a few years earlier and I'm not sufficiently up to speed to understand why she wouldn't have taken that accolade. There's an even more interesting story that the book barely mentions about South Africa and the artificially-created non-country of 'Africa South' which meant two contestants, one white, one black, were sent from South Africa at the height of its Apartheid regime. To me, THAT's the much more interesting race story at the heart of the competition. However if you're looking for an examination of racism or sexism, don't expect to get it from Jennifer Hosten. Like the embodiment of a polite living-breathing-Barbie Doll, she rarely steps away from the Mecca party line in describing her year as Miss World, even finding nice things to say about the deplorable Bob Hope.
Her year on the road as Miss World is interesting, including the Bob Hope Christmas Tour. There's something just so bizarre about flying in a pageant queen to strut about and entertain the military. Do they still do it? I fear they may well do and I wonder what women serving in the military feel when beauty queens are shipped in to entertain the troops.
Hosten's work after Miss World is interesting but treated quite superficially. I'm amazed that such an accomplished diplomat writes with the style of a suburban housewife who didn't graduate high school. Several failed marriages disappear in just a few lines on the page with barely a mention. She does good work all over the world whilst barely troubling her fingers on the keyboard.
And when it's all over, she's still oblivious to why the Women's Lib movement objected to her objectification all those years earlier. I have a friend in the USA who trains pageant girls and she can give me chapter and verse on the benefits and empowerment of young women as well as the potential to win large amounts of money towards their education. Sadly, I still can't get past judging people on their looks.
I suspect Jennifer Hosten would have done well in life with or without the Miss World competition but after reading this book, I doubt she'd have done well if she wasn't beautiful.
Addendum. In the description of her travels as Miss World, Hoston tells us that she visited the Sydney Opera House and that the Queen had opened it a few months earlier. This cannot be true. The Queen didn't open the Opera House until 1973 - at least two years after Hoston visited.
May 24, 2020
The author accidentally became Miss World in 1970, which I had to know more about. How do you accidentally win a beauty pageant? It turns out that was the tip of the iceberg for that year and the Miss World Pageant. The author does a marvelous job of capturing the events in this memoir and now I cannot wait to see the movie coming out about it!
May 10, 2020
Today I had the pleasure of finishing up a book that I received to review--thank you Netgalley, The Sutherland House, and Jennifer Hosten.
Miss World 1970 was described initially described as the story of how Jennifer Hosten accidentally became Miss World. This hook instantly made me want to read the book to figure out just how someone accidentally became Miss World! I read the book in hopes of learning more about the pageantry world and seeing how Miss World panned out in those times. Instead of the book being mainly focused on the 1970 Miss World show and pageant it mainly read like a memoir. Nothing wrong with that but not exactly what I was expecting. Regardless, it was still a pleasant read.
I love reading about strong, inspirational women and this book was no different. Jennifer Hosten was the first black woman to be crowned Miss World 1970. Within this book she opens the curtain and shows us a little of the behind the scenes, how certain contestants were favorited by the press and how race played a part in her career after having won the title. She also was the first person to win the crown for Grenada. 1970 was the year Grenada ever had someone represent them in the competition as well!
We follow Jennifer Hosten's life from broadcasting, winning the title at Miss World, and her life in politics and motherhood. It's a short and fast read and one that you will not regret. If anything, this just added one more to my list of inspirational women. Jennifer Hosten's story is truly remarkable.
The book has been adapted into a film called Misbehaviour which was released earlier this year and starred Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. In the book, there is a short mention of a riot that took place by a group of feminists during the competition. They were upset at the treatment and over-sexualization of the women in the competition analogizing them to cattle in a cattle market. Miss World 1970 was the last time the competition filmed women with their rears facing the camera because of all the backlash that was received. From the description of the movie, it appears that it focuses mainly on the group of women that protested during the filming of the show.
Now that I've finished reading the book, I can't wait to see how the movie compares. I feel my only difficulty now will be trying to figure out where I can watch it online in the U.S.
Miss World 1970 was described initially described as the story of how Jennifer Hosten accidentally became Miss World. This hook instantly made me want to read the book to figure out just how someone accidentally became Miss World! I read the book in hopes of learning more about the pageantry world and seeing how Miss World panned out in those times. Instead of the book being mainly focused on the 1970 Miss World show and pageant it mainly read like a memoir. Nothing wrong with that but not exactly what I was expecting. Regardless, it was still a pleasant read.
I love reading about strong, inspirational women and this book was no different. Jennifer Hosten was the first black woman to be crowned Miss World 1970. Within this book she opens the curtain and shows us a little of the behind the scenes, how certain contestants were favorited by the press and how race played a part in her career after having won the title. She also was the first person to win the crown for Grenada. 1970 was the year Grenada ever had someone represent them in the competition as well!
We follow Jennifer Hosten's life from broadcasting, winning the title at Miss World, and her life in politics and motherhood. It's a short and fast read and one that you will not regret. If anything, this just added one more to my list of inspirational women. Jennifer Hosten's story is truly remarkable.
The book has been adapted into a film called Misbehaviour which was released earlier this year and starred Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. In the book, there is a short mention of a riot that took place by a group of feminists during the competition. They were upset at the treatment and over-sexualization of the women in the competition analogizing them to cattle in a cattle market. Miss World 1970 was the last time the competition filmed women with their rears facing the camera because of all the backlash that was received. From the description of the movie, it appears that it focuses mainly on the group of women that protested during the filming of the show.
Now that I've finished reading the book, I can't wait to see how the movie compares. I feel my only difficulty now will be trying to figure out where I can watch it online in the U.S.
May 9, 2020
1970, what a year! We had President Nixon order an invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, the first Concorde flight, the Aswan Dam was finished, the voting age was lowered to 18, the Beatles broke up, and finally Miss Grenada was crowned Miss World. This was the first year that Grenada competed, and the stunning Miss Jennifer Hosten pulled off a huge win.
This story is the account of her life from that mainly from moment on, but it’s definitely not a boring, dry history. I became invested from the very beginning and with such a well written story and amazing life, I finished it in one day. Miss Hosten is a gifted storyteller, a wonderful writer, and such an inspiring woman. Her life is one to behold, from a child in Grenada, to announcer, flight attendant, Miss World, mother, diplomat, and now as a psychotherapist. She’s traveled the world, both for her reign as Miss World, and after as a diplomat.
Miss World 1970 isn’t just a piece of fluff either. Within the pages we learn about the controversy surrounding her win, the protests at the event, the coup in Grenada in 1979, and we learn about life in places like rural Canada, Grenada, and also the extreme poverty of places like Bangladesh. We learn not only about the marvelous life of Ms. Hosten, but we learn a history of our world during not only the 1970’s, but all the way up to the present day. Coups, invasions, and hurricanes are all documented.
Ms. Hosten has lived a fascinating life, and this was a wonderful book to read. I definitely recommend this book for fans of autobiographies, world history, and interesting people.
**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This story is the account of her life from that mainly from moment on, but it’s definitely not a boring, dry history. I became invested from the very beginning and with such a well written story and amazing life, I finished it in one day. Miss Hosten is a gifted storyteller, a wonderful writer, and such an inspiring woman. Her life is one to behold, from a child in Grenada, to announcer, flight attendant, Miss World, mother, diplomat, and now as a psychotherapist. She’s traveled the world, both for her reign as Miss World, and after as a diplomat.
Miss World 1970 isn’t just a piece of fluff either. Within the pages we learn about the controversy surrounding her win, the protests at the event, the coup in Grenada in 1979, and we learn about life in places like rural Canada, Grenada, and also the extreme poverty of places like Bangladesh. We learn not only about the marvelous life of Ms. Hosten, but we learn a history of our world during not only the 1970’s, but all the way up to the present day. Coups, invasions, and hurricanes are all documented.
Ms. Hosten has lived a fascinating life, and this was a wonderful book to read. I definitely recommend this book for fans of autobiographies, world history, and interesting people.
**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
March 24, 2020
Miss World was a complete cover request for me since I’m drawn to anything dealing with pageant life, despite having never participated in one. It sparsely details the story of Jennifer Hosten, notably remembered as being the first woman of color to win the coveted Miss World title.
Although I usually include a summary of the books I reviewed (because the publisher provided synopsis can sometimes feel misleading or like it didn’t include enough depth), I won’t be doing that for this one. If you know anything about Jennifer Hosten or even just read her Wikipedia page, you know what is included in this book. I was desperately hoping for some sort of tell-all about the pageant business, what stakes were at play for many of the contestants, ANYTHING, but this is sorely lacking. Instead, much of the book revolves around Jennifer’s history up till now.
As other reviewers have noted, despite the title, there is very little about the actual pageant. There are a few sentences devoted to her at the time scandalous swimsuit (which was hard to picture and nothing like I had in my head after searching for photos online) and some disparaging yet still diplomatic comments about Bob Hope. Most of the book is spent discussing her life after the pageant in what feels like bullet points. While the author is undoubtedly a beautiful and talented woman and someone who has made a true difference in the world, this book would have been better off being handed over to a ghostwriter.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy. This did not impact my review.
Although I usually include a summary of the books I reviewed (because the publisher provided synopsis can sometimes feel misleading or like it didn’t include enough depth), I won’t be doing that for this one. If you know anything about Jennifer Hosten or even just read her Wikipedia page, you know what is included in this book. I was desperately hoping for some sort of tell-all about the pageant business, what stakes were at play for many of the contestants, ANYTHING, but this is sorely lacking. Instead, much of the book revolves around Jennifer’s history up till now.
As other reviewers have noted, despite the title, there is very little about the actual pageant. There are a few sentences devoted to her at the time scandalous swimsuit (which was hard to picture and nothing like I had in my head after searching for photos online) and some disparaging yet still diplomatic comments about Bob Hope. Most of the book is spent discussing her life after the pageant in what feels like bullet points. While the author is undoubtedly a beautiful and talented woman and someone who has made a true difference in the world, this book would have been better off being handed over to a ghostwriter.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy. This did not impact my review.
October 29, 2021
Nowhere near as zany as the cover makes it appear, this book was nonetheless a ton of fun for me. It's one of those extraordinarily matter-of-fact biographies where someone is telling their life story in a rather prosaic, humdrum way and then you pause and say "Wait, what?" Hosten has a lively tone and an eye for a good anecdote - we don't get overly bogged down in her fellow beauty contestants or what they were doing or saying but we get the full story of how she had to smuggle her (male) hairdresser into her room during the Miss World contest. She tends to take a rather anodyne view of everyone and everything - very diplomatic, in fact, which make sense. (One of my biggest "wait, what?" moments came when she was serving as Grenada's representative to Canada and Grenada had a socialist revolution, after which Hosten stayed in her role for several months at the new government's request.) There aren't going to be any major revelations and it's certainly not spellbinding prose or anything, but Hosten's led a pretty fascinating life and it's all told in a matter-of-fact, easy-to-read way. It felt kind of like meeting your aunt's wildly interesting college roommate at a dinner party and getting the whole story of everything she's been up to since, if that makes sense.
June 15, 2020
"Miss World 1970", was an enjoyable read. Ms. Jennifer Hosten' s novel read like we sat together one afternoon and she shared her life stories with me. From her early days of broadcasting to jumping into the 1970 Miss World pageant just for the travel and experience. Ms. Hosten had a rare and exciting life.
The Miss World pageant of 1970 had protesters of the women's rights group and Hosten handled each obstacle with grace and knowledge. Being from Grenada and a women of color she competed against the cookie cutter debutantes and won. (No surprise there with the cover of the book and the movie that is to be released soon). What did surprise me that she continued to serve her country and experienced political corruption and war. Witnessing women's rights in various countries and the various degrees in which women are still fighting for their voices to be heard.
As I mentioned, this read very much like a diary or journal. Complete with random thought thrown in to tie in a complete thought. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found that it read like a conversation with the impeccable Ms. Jennifer Hosten.
The Miss World pageant of 1970 had protesters of the women's rights group and Hosten handled each obstacle with grace and knowledge. Being from Grenada and a women of color she competed against the cookie cutter debutantes and won. (No surprise there with the cover of the book and the movie that is to be released soon). What did surprise me that she continued to serve her country and experienced political corruption and war. Witnessing women's rights in various countries and the various degrees in which women are still fighting for their voices to be heard.
As I mentioned, this read very much like a diary or journal. Complete with random thought thrown in to tie in a complete thought. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found that it read like a conversation with the impeccable Ms. Jennifer Hosten.
April 10, 2020
Miss World 1970 is an interesting look into Jennifer Hosten's life. I expected from the title that this book would be filled with anecdotes relating to pageant life, both before and after winning the crown. It isn't. We learn the round-about way Ms. Hosten ended up entering the pageant, we run around a bit preparing for the two pageants with her and her sister Pommie (who is truly there when needed whenever and whatever the circumstances). We learn a small but of what her duties as Miss World 1970 include but mostly this book deals with life after handing her crown over to Miss World 1971. It's ok, this probably spanned 18 months or less of her life but the title is misleading.
Ms. Hosten has packed a lot of living and a lot of varied experiences into her time here in Earth; most of it in service to others. If you are looking for the backstage insiders view of pageants, you won't get that here. If you want to read about a woman who recognized opportunity knocking, who displays dignity and grace, you will get that here.
Ms. Hosten has packed a lot of living and a lot of varied experiences into her time here in Earth; most of it in service to others. If you are looking for the backstage insiders view of pageants, you won't get that here. If you want to read about a woman who recognized opportunity knocking, who displays dignity and grace, you will get that here.
May 14, 2020
In 1970, I was 13 years old and the world had many exciting events that would change history and set the stage for so many changes to follow. This story follows the Miss World competition in 1970. There is a short section on how the contestants come to be in this competition, the most publicized in the world. As was the way of so many events in the early 70's, protests and demonstrations would cause newsworthy happenings every day of the competition, yet when Ms Grenada was crowned, the history was forever changed as the first woman of color received worldwide recognition. Winning the contest did not insure a smooth journey through the events Miss World attended. Many times, she found herself wondering why she continued. This was a very good story of a woman's world and the changing times she lived in the name of ambassador. A good read for every young woman who thinks beauty contests are easy and winners are privileged.
September 9, 2020
I found this book an interesting quick read. Jennifer Hosten kind of fell into the Miss World beauty competition in 1970--the year Feminist protest of the pageant erupted in a big way. Racism was also very much on the cultural agenda at the time; so her win, as Miss World 1970, was a kind of watershed moment. Unfortunately, the book doesn't give a lot of insight into these cultural dynamics. Instead, it's a quick amusing read about a beautiful woman who seemingly Forrest Gumped her way into the tectonic shifts of the 70s. The last third of the book, where Ms. Hosten worked in the area of foreign aid, then as a political figure during the coup in Grenada, were at least as interesting (and maybe more so) than the beauty pageant of the title, though here too, there could have been more self-analysis and depth. Still and all, Miss World 1970 is an enjoyable diversion, even if it could have been so much more.
November 25, 2020
This book was received as an ARC from Sutherland House in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book was exciting to the max and all the history compiled into this fantastic story was so electrifying. How women came together and stood up for what was right and that was exploiting women as objects and not recognizing them as beautiful human beings that deserve many rights. I also loved the passion and determination Jennifer had throughout the entire competition even being demoralized by the judges and Bob Hope the host of the pageant but not only did that not stop her from competing, she in fact won the competition and started a whole new revolution. She is a great role model for young girls and this book will be great for a history biography project.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this 5 stars.
This book was exciting to the max and all the history compiled into this fantastic story was so electrifying. How women came together and stood up for what was right and that was exploiting women as objects and not recognizing them as beautiful human beings that deserve many rights. I also loved the passion and determination Jennifer had throughout the entire competition even being demoralized by the judges and Bob Hope the host of the pageant but not only did that not stop her from competing, she in fact won the competition and started a whole new revolution. She is a great role model for young girls and this book will be great for a history biography project.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this 5 stars.
June 2, 2020
3 stars
Thank you Net galley and Sutherland books for supplying me with an early copy to review.
I was not completely aware of the extent of the women's liberation protest that during miss worlds, but I am definitely going to do more research now and I am most excited to watch Misbehaviour.
I did enjoy this book for what it was, it was easy to read bio about the life of Jennifer Hosten during and after her rain as the first POC to win Miss worlds in 1970.
I was just expecting that little bit more from this book but I never got it. I wanted to hear more about what Jennifer felt and her thoughts during her whole experience rather than just explaining the events that took place. She has lived such an interesting and eventful life, I just wanted a bit more of 'her' in if that makes sense.
Thank you Net galley and Sutherland books for supplying me with an early copy to review.
I was not completely aware of the extent of the women's liberation protest that during miss worlds, but I am definitely going to do more research now and I am most excited to watch Misbehaviour.
I did enjoy this book for what it was, it was easy to read bio about the life of Jennifer Hosten during and after her rain as the first POC to win Miss worlds in 1970.
I was just expecting that little bit more from this book but I never got it. I wanted to hear more about what Jennifer felt and her thoughts during her whole experience rather than just explaining the events that took place. She has lived such an interesting and eventful life, I just wanted a bit more of 'her' in if that makes sense.
April 1, 2020
Miss Gernada, Jennifer Hosten, was the first woman of color to be crowned Miss World, the year was 1970 and the pageant stage was rushed mid-competition by protesting members of the feminist liberation movement who had to be forcibly removed, before Miss Gernada took the stage to became Miss World.
Initially I was enthusiastic about reading Miss World 1970 with it’s promises of the glitz of pageantry and the passion of the feminist liberation movement. heartbreakingly, I quickly realized that Jennifer Hosten, although talented beyond measure in so many ways, including that of being a journalist, is in fact a lacking memoirist.
All the passion she has had throughout life, be it in broadcasting, as Miss World, as a Grenadian diplomat then influential development worker, a mother, thrice a wife, Jennifer must have been burnt out before writing this memoir which lacking all passion, instead read as a laundry list of self accolades.
Miss World 1970 is a book devoid of the enchantment that Ms. Hosten is obviously capable of, and seems to have been written as a marketing afterthought while Misbehaviour, a movie dramatizing the 1970 Miss World pageant, was still in production. Jennifer Hosten has lead a gloriously rich and meaning filled life with stops along the way spanning the globe twice over, she and her adventures are absolutely fascinating and I highly recommend looking into her life both during and after her reign as Miss World 1970, but perhaps, skip this book in doing so.
Initially I was enthusiastic about reading Miss World 1970 with it’s promises of the glitz of pageantry and the passion of the feminist liberation movement. heartbreakingly, I quickly realized that Jennifer Hosten, although talented beyond measure in so many ways, including that of being a journalist, is in fact a lacking memoirist.
All the passion she has had throughout life, be it in broadcasting, as Miss World, as a Grenadian diplomat then influential development worker, a mother, thrice a wife, Jennifer must have been burnt out before writing this memoir which lacking all passion, instead read as a laundry list of self accolades.
Miss World 1970 is a book devoid of the enchantment that Ms. Hosten is obviously capable of, and seems to have been written as a marketing afterthought while Misbehaviour, a movie dramatizing the 1970 Miss World pageant, was still in production. Jennifer Hosten has lead a gloriously rich and meaning filled life with stops along the way spanning the globe twice over, she and her adventures are absolutely fascinating and I highly recommend looking into her life both during and after her reign as Miss World 1970, but perhaps, skip this book in doing so.
January 21, 2021
This is interesting book that chronicles Jennifer Hoston’s time at the Miss World 1970 pageant and how she won the crown. This was a historical occasion as she was the first woman of color to win the pageant which broke barriers for this competition. The book starts off where she decided to enter into the competition and the what happened after she won. The book also delves into how the competition changed her life and ultimately led to her work as a diplomat for her home country of Grenada.
Read the full book review on my blog: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
Read the full book review on my blog: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
July 23, 2020
She enters the pageant and win! There were protesters and her dress disappeared! Claims it was rigged! She goes on tour with Bob Hope, then does her obligations and visits some places on her own.
At the end of the year she hands off the crown, gets married, and movies to Canada, has children. Asked to represent her country, until a coup!
Divorce, remarry, divorce. Run a bed and breakfast. Gets degree as psychotherapist to figure out why she can not keep a man in her bed. Movie made. Pictures.
At the end of the year she hands off the crown, gets married, and movies to Canada, has children. Asked to represent her country, until a coup!
Divorce, remarry, divorce. Run a bed and breakfast. Gets degree as psychotherapist to figure out why she can not keep a man in her bed. Movie made. Pictures.
August 30, 2020
**I received and voluntarily read an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
For me, the book read more like an article, probably a result of Hosten's journalist background. There was more of a focus on the facts than there was on the emotion. While this isn't a terrible thing, I wanted to feel what she was feeling after winning Miss World as the first POC.
Overall, the book was a nice, quick read, and I learned a lot of new information, but I feel as if the idea was better than the execution.
For me, the book read more like an article, probably a result of Hosten's journalist background. There was more of a focus on the facts than there was on the emotion. While this isn't a terrible thing, I wanted to feel what she was feeling after winning Miss World as the first POC.
Overall, the book was a nice, quick read, and I learned a lot of new information, but I feel as if the idea was better than the execution.
Read
April 24, 2020Miss World 1970 has such a great premise and blurb but it failed to deliver on what it promised. It is a quick read and it is interesting however it felt that the entire pageant and year following were such a small part of the story. The majority of the book seemed to be post pageant life which is interesting but just not what the book was billed to be. I also did not get enough information about the protests, it seems so compelling and really ended up being just a footnote.
May 3, 2020
A backstage pass to the European world of beauty pageants. You are introduced to all the insider tips that go into making the beauty spectacle we see at home. The contestants are a puzzle of ideals and ambition all vying for a world title and all the doors they hope it opens. You have a nucleus of girls all with different reasons for dreaming and scheming their way to the final numbers. It is really funny and in this day and time a bit nostalgic. Happy reading.
May 1, 2020
I’m grateful to have read this book. The story is beautiful. I’m surprised I was unfamiliar with it, as it feels really important.
I wanted to love it, but I couldn’t. I felt that the writing was very methodical and not very vulnerable. It felt rehearsed, and not whole hearted.
I greatly enjoyed learning but felt that the language could have been better.
I wanted to love it, but I couldn’t. I felt that the writing was very methodical and not very vulnerable. It felt rehearsed, and not whole hearted.
I greatly enjoyed learning but felt that the language could have been better.
May 2, 2020
This book lacked oomph.
The book was repetitive, which made its storyline feel jumpy and awkward to follow at times.
This book just wasn't for me. I did find learning a little bit of history around Miss World 1970 and about Grenada (in particular the political coup) rather interesting so wasn’t a total waste of time.
#MissWorld #NetGalley review.
The book was repetitive, which made its storyline feel jumpy and awkward to follow at times.
This book just wasn't for me. I did find learning a little bit of history around Miss World 1970 and about Grenada (in particular the political coup) rather interesting so wasn’t a total waste of time.
#MissWorld #NetGalley review.
May 9, 2020
I really wanted to enjoy this book. And maybe if i wasn’t expecting it to be more focused on Miss World then maybe I would have. The description leads you to believe there is more focus on the pageant and events around it. I was impressed by the authors varied careers throughout her life and her ability to redefine herself.
May 14, 2020
This was an interesting read that was much different than I thought it would be. I thought this would discuss the pageant and her year as Miss World 1970 but it was so much more. She wrote about the variety of experiences she has been able to have in her life as a function of winning the pageant. For those who believe that pageants are demeaning to women, this is a book that tells the other side.
June 1, 2020
I found the proportions of this book a bit skewed: "The Craziest Pageant in History and the Rest of My Life." And while there is no denying that it was firstly very impactful for a woman of color to win the Miss World pageant and secondly, she did have an interesting rest of her life, I had wished this autobiography had leaned a bit more in to the former and a bit less into the later. I wanted to know more about the pageant itself - after all, it was advertised as “the craziest”! I now know little more about the behind the scenes of beauty pageants than I did before. But I wanted some tea to be spilled!
One main reason why it felt that way was because the writing lacks real emotion. It is a report about what happened, but seldom are any emotions portrayed, we do not get to know what Jennifer felt about this or that. That keeps a certain distance between us the readers and her, but it also means there was only little critique of pageant culture, no opinions about the protests surrounding the pageant or her historical win (that is was indeed “crazy” one has to piece together by cultural knowledge more than her describing her feelings), the stressful life afterwards, and even the revolution in her country years later. All of that left me wanting emotional depth, with focus on the pageant rather than the life after. Overall, though, I have to say that this is probably an issue of expectations not being met, not of the book itself being bad.
~ I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions expressed above are my own.
One main reason why it felt that way was because the writing lacks real emotion. It is a report about what happened, but seldom are any emotions portrayed, we do not get to know what Jennifer felt about this or that. That keeps a certain distance between us the readers and her, but it also means there was only little critique of pageant culture, no opinions about the protests surrounding the pageant or her historical win (that is was indeed “crazy” one has to piece together by cultural knowledge more than her describing her feelings), the stressful life afterwards, and even the revolution in her country years later. All of that left me wanting emotional depth, with focus on the pageant rather than the life after. Overall, though, I have to say that this is probably an issue of expectations not being met, not of the book itself being bad.
~ I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions expressed above are my own.
October 13, 2024
Reading around the world: Grenada 🇬🇩
A interesting and quick memoir, only really briefly details the Miss World 1970 experience but Hosten had such an interesting life outside of that that was fascinating to read about
A interesting and quick memoir, only really briefly details the Miss World 1970 experience but Hosten had such an interesting life outside of that that was fascinating to read about
March 17, 2021
A story with humor and interesting memories.
March 8, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this e-arc.
Miss World 1970: The Craziest Pageant in History and the Rest of My Life is somewhat of an autobiography of the author as she tells he story, mostly revolving around her experience winning Miss World. The start was strong. We get introduced to her beautiful country and some of her experiences from childhood. Then transitions to the part where she talks about the pageant. It was done well for a book about a first person perspective. Then came what supposed to be the " controversial" part of the book. It felt lackluster. And the title seems a bit clickbait-ish. Being a distant watcher of pageants myself i have definitely seen pageants with more dramatic happenings. Then came the after, which some of it appreciated. As she showed both her joy and struggle as she travels and works worldwide. Then the rest was a blur. It felt like a 50 page Linked In profile. But then again, i'm not one bit of a fan of politics.
Miss World 1970: The Craziest Pageant in History and the Rest of My Life is somewhat of an autobiography of the author as she tells he story, mostly revolving around her experience winning Miss World. The start was strong. We get introduced to her beautiful country and some of her experiences from childhood. Then transitions to the part where she talks about the pageant. It was done well for a book about a first person perspective. Then came what supposed to be the " controversial" part of the book. It felt lackluster. And the title seems a bit clickbait-ish. Being a distant watcher of pageants myself i have definitely seen pageants with more dramatic happenings. Then came the after, which some of it appreciated. As she showed both her joy and struggle as she travels and works worldwide. Then the rest was a blur. It felt like a 50 page Linked In profile. But then again, i'm not one bit of a fan of politics.
March 7, 2020
This was such an interesting read! Jennifer Hosten's grace and elegance is evident in her writing.
'I felt almost a civic duty to participate and, once I won, to represent Grenada as best I could.'
After becoming the first woman of colour to win Miss World, Jennifer used her platform and experience to help others and became an ambassador for Grenada.
Her travels took her all over the world, experiencing other cultures and learning valuable skills, which assisted in her in each of her careers.
It was interesting to hear her views on the rise of feminism and the beauty pageant industry, which seemed reserved in the beginning of the book, but which were further explored towards the end and incorporated with her life experiences.
'True feminism, in my eyes, gives women the choice to pursue their desires.'
I would highly recommend this amazing read! Thank you NetGalley for this recommendation!
'I felt almost a civic duty to participate and, once I won, to represent Grenada as best I could.'
After becoming the first woman of colour to win Miss World, Jennifer used her platform and experience to help others and became an ambassador for Grenada.
Her travels took her all over the world, experiencing other cultures and learning valuable skills, which assisted in her in each of her careers.
It was interesting to hear her views on the rise of feminism and the beauty pageant industry, which seemed reserved in the beginning of the book, but which were further explored towards the end and incorporated with her life experiences.
'True feminism, in my eyes, gives women the choice to pursue their desires.'
I would highly recommend this amazing read! Thank you NetGalley for this recommendation!
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