Olivia Munn

Before I start explaining why I didn't like this book I think it would be more helpful if I made a list of things that have to be true in order for someone to tolerate, like, or even love it.


-You will tolerate this book if:

1. You don't find this video sexist or objectifying in any way and think it's just "harmless naughty fun".

2. You believe that the following quotes are fine examples of good and solid writing:
"And writing a book that is interesting and entertaining is doubly hard as shit. Plus- who's to say if anyone gives two shits? Ya know?"
-introduction, excerpt from the 1st paragraph-
"This aunt: Hey, nice MacBook. Where'd you get it?
Me: Um, the MacStore.
Aunt: How much did you pay?
Me: I don't know, about $2,000 or so.
Aunt: Oh really? You know, I could buy at garage sale for one dollah. [sic]"
-excerpt from the 1st chapter-


-You will like this book if combined with the previously mentioned conditions you also:

1. Don't really care about chapters that follow a coherent line of thought, or books that have an overall logical structure.

2. Prefer to read texts that closely resemble the oral and not the written speech, [or literature in general].

3. Are not in ANY way opposed to exhibitions of fat shaming, sexism and/or jokes and disparaging descriptions based on various forms of social racism.



-You will love this book if combined with the previously mentioned conditions you also:

1. Are a heterosexual male. I'm sorry, it's sad but true. Olivia has had the "good" sense to go out of her way so as to make sure that everyone will comprehend that her book was specifically written for a male audience. For that reason she has included three chapters on (mostly dubious and some downright disturbing and sexist) dating advice and tips for men. One of these chapters is about what she likes in men -she makes sure you know she prefers geeks- so as to facilitate the potential reader's fantasies about dating her, which leads us to number two.

2. Consider Olivia Munn an attractive woman and finding sexy cosplay pictures of her in a book, only makes the experience better for you.

3. Like pie SO MUCH (omigodpieyesihaveafoodobsessionyaylookathowquirkyiam)that you NEED to read about it or at least have it mentioned in each chapter, even when the subject is irrelevant.

4. Are a quasi nerd-geek (never really got the difference between the two). Olivia makes sure she mentions some of the most well known franchises so as to titillate our nerdy senses and prove that she is one of the geeks. It doesn't matter if the reference of Firefly comes out of the blue, it's a geeky thing!



-You will ADORE this book beyond life and reason if:

1. You are obsessed and in love with Olivia Munn.
2. You are illiterate.


Now onto the review!





I think that I made it quite clear that both this book and Mrs. Munn disappointed me. Although it's true that I wasn't a big fan of Olivia Munn to begin with, I admired her as an actress. I first saw her in Insanitarium (zombies
~Sloan Sabbith in all her awesomeness~

Sabbith is smart, a bit socially awkward and generally kick-ass female character, you cannot but root for! Needless to say, I loved this character and respected Munn for portraying her the way she did.

...And then I stumbled upon her book on goodreads. I was instantly impressed! Funny title: CHECK! Nerd reference: CHECK! "Girl power" feeling: CHECK! I considered myself lucky to have found it. Oh, boy. I was in for a big surprise.

Retrospectively I think I could have prevented this self inflicted torture, or at least prepare my self for what was to follow, had I simply read the first two reviews, or at least googled what "Attack of the Show" was. Lesson learned world. Lesson learned.

To be honest I knew from the first paragraph that it was going to be badly written but I never would have imagined the amount of sexism and fat shaming that I would encounter and have to endure. There are many possible examples of such cases in the book, but I think that the most characteristic and illustrious of them is when she describes a disgustingly (I'm-masturbating-in-front-of-random-girls) perverted movie director. To make sure that we understand how disgusting he was she feels the need to constantly describe his "three chins", his too-tiny-for-his-fat-ass clothes, the suffering of the buttons of his pants and his secret binging of humongous amount of food. Because "of course" being overweight is disgusting and it's EVIDENT that this is the only way to describe a pervert, by focusing on how icky fat he is. As readers, we really NEED that focus on his fatness, just to be able to comprehend the extent of his hideousness.

I cringe when I remember the supposedly empowering chapter in which she described how she jumped into a giant pie while dressed in a sexy maid uniform (there is a youtube video of this, it made me sad to watch it) and how she showed us, common folk, that celebrities aren't really perfect....because sometimes they too eat too much pie, and dammit Olivia's activism prompts her to publicly declare this without being ashamed! Yay you Olivia, now that I understand that you too are a human being like me, albeit infinitely more awesome and interesting by your standards, I can be happier and love my non celebrity body. You changed my life...!

I haven't seen someone patting so much themselves in the back since kindergarten, but I'll admit that this is an excusable behavior if you are a five year old kid.

The whole book seems like a love letter Mrs. Munn wrote to herself. The really sad part is that she does seem to have a lot of interesting experiences -both sad and funny- that could easily create an interesting biography had she hired even a half-decent writer, or ghostwriter, to help her with this.

I could go on and rant endlessly about the things that are offensive, wrong, or plainly idiotic about this book. "Suck It, Wonder Woman!" is a treasure of mistakes one could get angry about or make fun of, and to truly explore the full potential of ridicule it opens itself up to, one would need to take it apart sentence by sentence, something I am unable to do (I really wish there was a sporking of this!)

Olivia, now more than ever I think you are an AMAZING actress because judging by your performances in films and tv-series I never would have fathomed the depths of your sexism and prejudice, (had I not read your book.) I hope you get cast in many-many projects as an actress and never write another book.… (altro)

In Suck It, Wonder Woman!: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek, Olivia Munn describes events from her childhood, breaking into Hollywood and the experiences that demonstrate that it’s a culture all its own, and her take on geek culture. Each chapter reads like entries in a blog, so the reader can peruse them at their pleasure and needn’t worry about following a strictly linear narrative. Munn authentically addresses both her more painful memories as well as her work balancing her anxiety with trying to develop projects that fit her vision for herself. The result is a fun work that captures a unique perspective on Hollywood and nerd culture from the late-1990s through early-2000s. A lot of fun for fans of Munn or those who lived through the times she describes.… (altro)