Rating: 
Summary: A Triumph
Review: The Vagina Monologues is a wonder to read, fascinating in its intricacies of the female body and its connection to the psyche. It brought me toward comfort with my own body, and opened my mind to the issues of feminism and female empowerment. The play is not at all pornographic, but sensual and poignant in its heartbreak and its uplifting joy. Now I must see it performed, as that is bound to be ten times more powerful!
Other favorite plays that deal with feminist issues include (but of course are nowhere near limited to) Masterpieces by Sarah Daniels, and Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off by Liz Lochead.
Rating:
Summary: The foundation of a great show
Review: The Vagina Monologues is a stage piece, and it works *much* better on stage than it does as a pure book. As a stage show, it is thought-provoking, funny and appalling. A good production of this piece picks you up and carries you along. It has something to say to almost everyone, regardless of whether you are comfortable saying the word "vagina" or not. Somehow, when I read the play, I am less captivated, and more aware of the flimsiness of the words. But the point of the thing is its performance. It is clear, from the afterword to the book, and from people I know who have been involved in productions, and from lots of people who have seen the show, that involvement with a production of this piece can change someone's life. And it really is an engaging piece: funny and moving. When I first heard about the project (an attempt to address a culture where people rarely say the word "vagina", but there are thousands of words for "penis"), I thought it would be interesting and useful to people who aren't comfortable saying "vagina" out loud. Since I have no problem saying it, I thought it would have little relevance to me. When I saw the performance, I knew I had been wrong. But I don't know if I would have gotten that from the book alone. I am giving this book five stars, because it works as it is intended to work: on stage. And I am glad I own it, because it is nice to dip into from time to time, when I want to recapture the effect of being in the audience. Plus, the afterword to the "V-Day" edition is extremely interesting and moving.
Rating:
Summary: Eye-opening for men too...
Review: This book should be a must read for every woman out there, but that is not to say that men should not take note as well. It is an incredibly eye-opening look into the lives of another gender. It's funny how you don't really give subjects like this much thought yet assume that you can understand, the truth being that you cannot begin to see how it is, how a person can actually feel alienated from their own body. I actually had to put it down after "My Vagina Was My Village" (the most heartbreakingly compelling monologue in the book) in order to process what I was thinking. But don't think that the whole book is a downer. There are some wonderfully amusing parts mixed in, each as revolutionary and powerful as their more dramatic counterparts. Eve Ensler truly is a goddess for putting this out there. It's message is vital to all human beings to hear. In short, you don't need a vagina to appreciate Ensler's masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: I read it in one day!!
Review: I couldn't put this book down. I experienced violence in my life first hand and this book let me know that I was not the only one. I really enjoyed this book. Eve Ensler is the best!! I can't wait to see the play!!
Rating: 
Summary: Vagina Monologues
Review: A bunch of women who have never been curious or free enough to check out their own bodies get together and share their limited views of themselves and the world.
Rating:
Summary: you just need this one.
Review: Besides completely cracking me up, this play is insightful and appeals to both women and men--truly. When I've seen this play in performance, the men were laughing as hard as the women, sometimes even harder! Clearly, this play has much more to offer than humor, however. Ensler represents a truly diverse collection of women. I cherish my copy.
Rating:
Summary: Not the same as the play, but still great
Review: I saw "The Vagina Monologues" here in Chicago and really loved it - I never laughed so hard! I really bought the book because my fiance' didn't join me at the show and I wanted him to hear just how funny it really was. He thought it was just a "girl's" thing, but after I read some of the book to him, he changed his mind. Although the book can't really bring to life what the live show can, it's still a fun, and sometimes sad, read. I caution those of you who plan on seeing the show to see the show first, then read the book - much of it is repeated and I think it might ruin the experience for you. But, if you have no plan on seeing it, or can't get to a theater where it's playing, then you must read it now! Not just for women!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't get all the praise.
Review: I gotta say, this book left me scratching my head because I just don't get all the fuss. If the sexual revolution had any part in your life, your going to find this book is quite pedestrian. I wasn't shocked, moved, surprised. In fact, at points, the book felt somewhat clinical. As for its off-Broadway success, I can only imagine that the production had a great director, or the Hollywood personalities who've appeared in this show are what keeps the box office busy. The writing isn't anything to write home about. If you're uptight about your sexuality and need a book to start gently rattling your gates, okay, buy this. If you have an open and comfortable attitude towards your sexuality, though, save your money. This doesn't titilate OR educate. It just leaves you flat. Save your money - I wish I had.
Rating:
Summary: HORRIBLE BOOK
Review: the women who wrote this book is actually a man. its a disgusting book.
Rating:
Summary: REALLY GREAT BOOK
Review: This book was given to me as a gift from a dear friend. She had already it and wanted me to read it. I did and I was really pleased with it. Ensler explains that she is worried about the state of a world that cannot say VAGINA without blushing, but has hundreds of slang words for penis. This book is a collection of stories that were told to Ensler by hundreds of women from all walks of life who she interviewed. Some of the stories are verbatim what the women had to say about their vaginas, while Ensler takes more artistic licence with some. There are stories about masturbation, sex, childbirth, rape, and many other things. Every way that our vaginas affect our lives, as women, are covered with a humorous or touching story. A great deal of this book is filled with humorous stories about nicknames for out vaginas and how women think about their own vaginas, but there is a disturbing rape scene in one of the stories. Although this story was incredibly disturbing, it is totally understandable why it was included: Rape, whether it is spoken of or not, is a tangible part of many women's vaginas. All in all, The Vagina Monologues is an excellent book for any woman or any man who loves vaginas. Vaginas are one of the most underappreciated entities in our lives. Vaginas provide pleasure for our mates, pleasure for ourselves, the means for conception, and most importantly-birth. Most of us came into this world through a vagina. While this isn't a self-help book and it won't help you deal with specific problems with your vagina, it can help you learn to see your vagina in a whole new light.
| 
