Self-Made Man

One Woman's Year Disguised as a Man

by Norah Vincent

304 pages

English language

Published Dec. 26, 2006 by Penguin (Non-Classics).

ISBN:: 978-0-14-303870-2

(3 reviews)

A journalist's provocative and spellbinding account of her eighteen months spent disguised as a manNorah Vincent became an instant media sensation with the publication of Self-Made Man, her take on just how hard it is to be a man, even in a man's world. Following in the tradition of John Howard Griffin (Black Like Me), Norah spent a year and a half disguised as her male alter ego, Ned, exploring what men are like when women aren't around. As Ned, she joins a bowling team, takes a high-octane sales job, goes on dates with women (and men), visits strip clubs, and even manages to infiltrate a monastery and a men's therapy group. At once thought- provoking and pure fun to read, Self-Made Man is a sympathetic and thrilling tour de force of immersion journalism.

5 editions

J. J. Zepfanman @book reviewed Self-Made Man by Norah Vincent

Review of 'Self-Made Man' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I recognize the apparent stereotype-enforcing faults of this book, but I can't say that I disagree with her assessment of her experience. I'd be interested to know if anyone has a better book recommendation on this topic, because Vincent came across as incredibly brave, strong-minded, and reflective in this memoir. It is not meant to be a scientific account, but a social experiment. In her own words, it is "just my view of things, myopic and certainly inapplicable to anything so grand as a pronouncement on gender in American society."

settingshadow reviewed Self-Made Man by Norah Vincent

Review of 'Self-Made Man' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I wanted to love this, but at the end of the day, Vincent's characterization of men was so unbelievable -- I read passages about how men acted towards each other aloud to my husband, who found them a trite over-simplification. It reveals more of Vincent's misandry than any profound truths about sex and gender.

Jotizf

rated it

Jan. 15, 2023