A Girl's Guide to Modern European Philosophy

By Charlotte Greig

Susannah Jones' official boyfriend Jason is the perfect foil to her student lifestyle. He is 10 years older and an antique dealer, so she doesn't have to live in the seedy digs her friends do. Then... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590513177
• ISBN13: 9781590513170
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Other Press (NY)
• Length: 275 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Period Piece Tackles Modern Woman

This novel is an interesting mix of genre romance and a thoughtful, almost academic inquiry into being a young single woman in the 20th century. It follows Susannah, a young Welsh college student at school near London in the 1970s, for a few turbulent months in which she must look at what she is looking for in her life, and how men and relationships might fit into whatever that is. Often the novel falls back on typical plot negotiations (run-ins with the rival lovers), but spends a lot of time inside Susannah's head while she sorts out what it is she really wants out of life. Aiding Susannah in her thoughts are her philosophy studies which are sprinkled throughout, culminating in an interesting use of Kierkegaard in reasoning through the issue of abortion. Overall this is a thoughtful piece, well grounded in the politics and changing landscape of the 1970s, that will speak well to modern readers as it walks the line between serious literature and a genre "weekend" read.

Intriguing

Charlotte Grieg's A Girl's Guide to Modern European Philosophy overcomes its slightly awkward title and is an excellent coming-of-age novel. The narrator, Susannah is a young university student involved with two men, one older antiques dealer and another university student her age. She struggles to deal with the death of her father as she struggles to understand her philosophy tutorial, but it is really her place in the world, her identity that she is really trying to figure out. Susannah is an interesting narrator, almost a bit too detached. I was amused to see one of her boyfriends criticize her for being detached as well. She is insightful, thoughtful and probing, never shying away from getting to the truth or from understanding the philosphers she studies. I disagree with any characterization of this novel as "chick lit." That label implies a frivilousness that is just not present in this novel. I think a lot of young women may see a bit of themselves in Susannah, whereas the heroines in typical chick lit novels have more in common with Cinderella than with most readers. Susannah's struggles are interesting and compelling. Her resolution of the important decisions she makes in the novel are thought-provoking. This novel is certainly worth your time if you are looking for a compelling coming-of-age novel.

Brilliant

I wasn't sure quite what to expect from "A Girl's Guide to Modern Philosophy," but it piqued my interest from the first page. I was fascinated by the strange imagery of the dream sequence on the first page, wherein the world appears as a photo negative. From there, the book held my interest as the heroine began describing herself and her current life. Susannah is a philosophy student at Sussex. She has as keen interest in her studies, but she prefers to live off campus with her older boyfriend, Jason. But Jason treats her indifferently, and soon she begins an affair with a boy in her philosophy course, Rob. Susannah finds security with Jason and affection with Rob, and she can't decide between the two of them. She tries to justify her actions with Nietzsche's philosophy, telling herself that she's just a "free spirit." However, when Susannah discovers that she's pregnant, she realizes that she has to make a decision. Two decisions, actually- which man she wants, if either, and whether she wants to go through with her pregnancy. Her friends are there to give her advice, but in the end, Susannah has to look to philosophy to find her own answers. Susannah is obviously a flawed and immature character. People who don't like selfish characters are going to hate this book. But I thought her selfish attitude was perfect for a coming of age novel. I see so many heroines brooding about who they are and what they want, and I don't think that's very realistic. Maybe it's just me, but I've always thought those things seemed pretty easy to figure out. Susannah, however, is like many girls who pretend to themselves that they're something they're not. Anyone can recognize the way she tries to justify her own poor decisions. She has a lot of growing up to do, but she does mature during the course of the novel. I appreciated the weight she gave to her decision about her pregnancy, as well as her desire to figure out an answer on her own. The philosophy in this book was well presented. I felt like I gained a better understanding of the three philosophers presented: Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard. I had to give some parts a little time to sink in, but none of it was hard to understand. The ideas are woven seamlessly into the plot, and the author shows their strengths and weaknesses without being condescending. The reader sees the flaws in Susannah's thinking long before Susannah does. The writing was very good, natural and description. I loved Susannah's dry wit. I thought that the symbols and motifs the author used were imaginative and interesting. "A Girl's Guide to Modern European Philosophy" is an engaging, thought-provoking read. It isn't for everyone- those who hate selfish characters or who believe in absolute morals will be put off. But if you want something thoughtful and entertaining that challenges your beliefs, you'll love this.

The Review by Cheryl K is Completely Unfounded

For the sake of full disclosure, let me begin by saying the author Charlotte Greig is an associate of mine, but she does not know I am writing this. I am responding to the previous reviewer, because it is obvious that the reviewer either didn't read the book or really wasn't paying attention. How on earth could that reviewer write this: "I kept wondering throughout the book just how Modern European Philosophy really played a part in this story?" "Throughout the book?" Really? When the protagonist is making major decisions about her relationships and pregnancy, she ponders Nietszche, Heidegger, and Kierkergaard, and the crux of their philosophies on life, specifically connection to the world and their lives. Very long paragraphs and many pages were spent on this, I guess these flew straight over the reviewer's head. When the reviewer admits that she kept wondering how "Modern European Philosophy" was involved in the story, it's like saying, "Gee, I read 'The Natural' by Bernard Malamud, but I kept wondering when Baseball was actually going to be a part of the story." Reviews are all about opinions. The previous reviewer expressed hers and is entitled to them. But criticizing a text for something so blatantly not true is not warranted. When someone says "War and Peace stunk because there was no war in the book" then the record must be set straight; especially when it involves something so painfully obvious in the text. I found the book amazingly insightful, and does what any good story should do when it deals with complicated matters such as relationships, pregnancy and abortion. It presents various ways of thinking that may not be immediately obvious, and it does it through story without preaching or moralizing, thus allowing the reader to ponder and come up with their own opinions. The characters are well-conceived, behaving in ways appropriate to their age, and situation in life; and they accomplish what characters in a good story should accomplish, they allow us to relate to them, especially when they are flawed, as the protagonist, Susannah is. Overall, a wonderful read that is intelligent, incisive and fun.

The Good Kind of Chick Lit

I was thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading A Girl's Guide. The writing was excellent, the structure was impeccable. It was a genuinely amazing read. It was one of those that I literally sat down for about two hours and read straight through. One of the biggest draws to this novel is the main character, Susannah. She is a normal girl. She is moderately intelligent, attractive and has a supremely annoying boyfriend. She also had a supreme lack of confidence and an ability to be quite indecisive. I think any girl in her late teens, early 20s could identify with that. I want her to do well. I want her to succeed. I really want her to dump those two dunderheads she is involved with. Susannah is one of the elements that make this novel truly worth a read. The way the novel was structured was interesting and unique. I love that the novel was organized by which book Susannah was reading for her modern philosophy class. It really incorporates the philosophy in an interesting way without overpowering the reader with philosophic thought and theory. It sort of reminded me of Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl (one of my favorite novels). I think I may actually prefer this a bit more. I tried to find a flaw with this novel and seriously couldn't find any in the novel itself. The only thing I could think of that I didn't really like is the cover. To me, at least, it gives the impression of a frothy, beach-type read and that is not what A Girl's Guide is. If that is my only criticism then the book must be good.