by Trisha Thomas
“What happens when you toss tradition out the window and really start living for yourself?
Venus Johnston has a great job, a beautiful home, and a loving live-in boyfriend named Clint, who happens to be a drop-dead gorgeous doctor. She also has a weekly beauty-parlor date with Tina, who keeps Venus's long, processed hair slick and straight. But when Clint--who's been reluctant to commit over the past four years--brings home a puppy instead of an engagement ring, Venus decides to give it all up. She trades in her long hair for a dramatically short, natural cut and sends Clint packing.
It's a bold declaration of independence--one that has effects she never could have imagined.”
I read the book first and then watched the movie. The book was filled with more ‘story’ and insight but I feel the film complemented the book as a ‘visual’ story. This pair could be read and viewed in either order and still be appreciated.
I enjoyed this story of one woman’s personal growth, maturity and strength as she decided to forge her own path. I found this story to be an excellent social commentary on acceptance based on visual perceptions of beauty and the lengths some people go to, to attain the “acceptable” levels society demands of them. This can create unrelenting pressure to comply, at great cost to ourselves, Sometimes, we need to interpret the rules to benefit ourselves and be able to find our inner happiness.
I felt this was an important read for me because I gained insight about how much effort and inner thought goes into hairstyles and appearances - but most of all - I learned about how much of an impression hairstyles and appearances make on society.
Ultimately this book was about self-esteem, loving yourself for who you are, letting the inner you shine through and accepting yourself whole-heartedly. While the story seems to focus mainly on outward appearances, there is a much deeper theme running underneath that touched upon the mental aspect of appearances and our acceptance based upon those appearances. This is a story for every woman who desires freedom from restraint.