and women don’t have to be funny, because men are already attracted to them. That’s why only ugly women can tell a joke worth a damn. Anyway, nice to meet you. I’m Bob.” FIGHT THE PATRIARCHY WITH A LAUGH: What better way to fight the patriarchy than to laugh together at Mansplainers, Sexperts, Patronizers, Comedians, and Concern Trolls. I know it’s hard for women to sit quietly. But close your eyes and listen. You might learn something.”

The book positions the men to avoid in five neat categories: the mansplainer, the concern troll, the comedian, the sexpert and the patronizer. How ridiculous is it that I did not even had to see any of the painting to know what type of behavior were they referring to? I know these men. I have heard those jokes. They are colleagues, acquaintances, friends, even family. Through cringe-induced empathy, this timeless gift book of shared experiences unites women across history in one of the most powerful forms of resistance: laughter.When men are told that women actually don't want to hear from them on every little thing, they tend to respond with horror, as if this is some new thing. But Tersigni's book offers a funny, but honest truth: we have never wanted to hear from you. We've been getting trolled for ages, and now we have more power to speak against it-and we have the likes of Tersigni to archive this frustration. I want to pass this book out like postcards whenever a man thinks he's the first to 'Well, actually' me." Edgar Degas, Henri Degas and His Niece Lucie Degas, 1875-76, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. In Men to Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni, Chronicle Books, 2020. I think people who love feminism and art will enjoy this. As far as feminism goes, this is strictly playing in the shallow waters, but it still got a smile or two and it was exactly what I needed at the time. Nicole Tersigni's] hilarious juxtapositions of (mostly sombre) men portrayed in classic paintings with captions pontificating to the women around them have resonated around the world."- Daily Dispatch (South Africa)

The artistic examples Tersigni has chosen are absolutely perfect for her material - the reader can't fail to sympathise (and empathise) with the recipients of all this masculine "insight". In what seems like a casual tone, this book raises up important aspects of the every day reality of women. The absolute amazement when a male doctor in ER tells you that you are being dramatic right before you pass out from pain because you have endometriosis. The confusion of being a professional woman who is either too pretty to be taken serious or too cold to be liked. The despair of being passionate about a topic but having that passion be perceived as being bossy and ultimately alienating. That surely gives hope that maybe we are not in a painting of the 15th century anymore, that there is some change happening. Some of it isn't great but the great ones are so worth it. Hahahaha. Tis the season so yes, I'll edit this and share a laugh with you. Speaking of the season, this is very giftable for friends and the condescending men in your life.

Featured Reviews

I'd tell you how great this book is, but I don't know if you'd get it. Like, maybe you'd *understand* it, but on a fundamental level? No. Maybe show this to your girlfriend or your mom. She might be able to help with the pictures. It's just – you look way too handsome to comprehend the layers in here. What? That's a compliment! Where are you going?'...Bitingly funny, heartbreakingly relatable, Nicole's take on the painted weary gives new meaning to 'art criticism.' I never wanted it to end." In the thread, Tersigni had taken classic works of Western art from the last six centuries and captioned them with imagined conversation between the paintings’ subjects. Specifically, she crafted dialogue with men in the paintings offering unsolicited, unwelcome, and generally unwanted opinions to women. (“You would be so much prettier if you smiled.”) The entire comedic genius of it all came from the poker-faced mansplaining of Tersigni’s captions — the annoying ridiculousness of “Let me explain your lived experience to you.” (He says: “Now, when you’re riding a horse, you need to make sure that you keep a good grip on the reins.” She thinks: “These are my horses.”)