#11 Can I Speak to Someone in Charge?

Now this is one I have wanted to read since it first came out. I first followed Pretty Normal Me on Instagram a few years ago. I mainly did it as a favour to Katya, Emily Clarkson’s younger sister, as we are friends and she was telling people to go follow her. I read her blog posts now and again, liked a few of her pictures until I noticed that Emily was launching a book in 2017. As something a little different, I thought I would add this to the blog list to spice up the week with a non-fiction book.

Now this book is not an autobiography or a piece of feminist propaganda, but a collection of letters. These letters are to people, inanimate objects, large organisations and even to herself [Em]. It opens with a letter to us, “You, the Lovely Reader” telling us the intensions for the book.

Throughout the letters we get to know Emily well, which is better than any fictional character as she is actually flesh and bones! On a personal level we learn about her personal insecurities and her disturbing experienced of when she was catfished aged 15.

Some of my favourite letters include, Dear: Prosecco, My Body, The Bottomless Pit That Is My Handbag and Boys. These had me giggling on the bus and in the John Lewis partner dining room…

Yet we are also faced with some harsh realities relating to online trolls, eating disorders and body image. With a few facts dotted around that I didn’t know, there was also a lot said that introduced me to a new perspective on some things that I had never really considered before.

Now, Emily Clarkson is a proud feminist. But that shouldn’t cause people to shy away from reading this book. I can truthfully say that I was not bombarded with overpowering feminism that makes some peoples toes curl.

I applaud Em for being so open with us. I have only ever met her briefly at a careers conference at school, but through that encounter and reading this book she seems like a really lovely person. So well done on this success!

Hx

P.S

Yes, this is Jeremy Clarkson’s first and oldest daughter.