Face: One Square Foot of Skin

When l read the reviews for this book, l was discouraged. I bought it anyway because the subject of choosing cosmetic clinical procedures, specially plastic surgery in order to “look” younger has always being intriguing to me. I wonder if the readers that wrote virulent comments about the book, even read it completely. Justine Bateman’s approach to the subject it’s raw, realistic, HUMAN. I found the book impacting because of it’s crude honesty and sincere intention. This is not an autobiographical book, neither a pestered attack to the cosmetic surgery industry. It’s one of the most open and profound denounces of an eviscerating, absurd, unjust, and almost inhuman women’s cultural indoctrination. She interviewed 47 VICTIMS, that’s the word, victims of that indoctrination, mainly women working in the film industry in America. However, throughout the book, there are women from all walks of life. She didn’t go as far as to expose that we are talking about a global phenomenon. How much societies around the world have changed and adopted a false and dangerous approach towards aging faces. I found de book intelligent and bravely written. The book MAKES YOU THINK, REFLECT and that’s probably the reason why so many people (specially women) find it threatening and disconcerting. Don’t be afraid, read it in its totality, you will never regret having done so.

This is very thought provoking and raw. It highlights women in all stages of life and is such a fantastic representation of the internal and external struggles we face. The book is composed of short stories from unique points of view. I love how different yet relatable every story feels. It’s fascinating to read about aging from so many perspectives. This subject isn’t usually talked about so openly. And if it is talked about it’s usually in the context of trying to sell you a “magic potion” to “fix” it. This book talks about the feelings that go along with an aging face. No “fixing” required. My feelings about my own face change almost daily and I saw myself in all of the short stories. I got so much out of this book. I appreciate the way it discusses issues without being preachy or one sided. This is a must read for all girls and women.

I was drawn to this book after watching several interviews with Justine and listening to her tell her convictions about aging.Turns out ... this book did not fully support her convictions but rather give a very broad perspective of navigating the aging face and all of the emotions and situations that invite the aging participant some food for thought.This book was nothing like I envisioned it would be.Rather than having Justine narrate her research and opinions about aging, she used the stories of others to be the voice of this book. She may have written the words however, she was not the voice.That was a surprise.The book started out fully supporting the judgments and struggles of those who oppose their face and the choice to alter it in order to conform to an idea.As one who does not embrace any kind of cutting or injecting, I felt validated and supported by my own convictions to embrace a very, natural, process.I also found myself translating the stories to my physical body as I gain weight, develop loose skin and find myself buying larger clothing.My face had never been a concern for me, aging wise. It took all of my attention to manage the copious amounts of oil, blackheads and pimples of my younger years.Today, I can thank all of that oil for laying the foundation of smooth skin and really ... no wrinkles ... just a little gravity.It has always been my body and finding my peace with the relentless pursuit to stay fit and trim, only to arrive to a place where the upkeep took a brutal toll on my emotional well being.At the age of 61, there's an unfoldment happening that is winning and ... I'm giving it permission to do so. I just want to love myself and nurture a natural process.This book will translate any body part metaphorically because everything ages and there are many procedures to alter the process.The second half of the book, I found it really difficult to relate to.It felt like there was a more abstract approach to the aging face. The stories told were a little askew for me and I found myself misplaced and confused by what was being conveyed.A lot of it was in defense of making the choice to alter the face and a lot of it was a more poetic perspective to aging.It was tough for me to get through second half of the book. I could not relate and I didn't understand the subtle implications.I'm not sure who this book is for.If you're the one who is intent on smoothing the lines and lifting the gravity, this book will support you.If you are the one who is choosing to age naturally without any interference, this book will support you.What it ultimately comes down to is, I'm not sure this book matters to anyone. You'll make what ever choice you make and it will be right for you because you made the choice. This book will support that in some of the places but not all of the places.If you are curious, you're on the fence or you want both sides of the story, this book will reveal the broad landscape of the face.Otherwise ... It just does not matter.

This is a journey into the psyche of how we view gender, ourselves, and others. To be a woman is to understand at core level every passage, every inference, and every painful observation Justine makes in this brilliantly written, sober-to-the-core book. I knew it all inherently to be true as I read it. I found younger versions of myself in it, versions that considered invasively treating my face to stop the inevitable. And now here I am, 62, and having read Justin's book, falling in love again with my un-botoxed, un-fillered, un-cut and un-sandpapered face. The delicate lines,the transparency of the skin, the vulnerability and strength that reflects the woman I am.Thank you Justine Bateman. Thank you, thank you. You've done something marvelous and necessary and kind and honorable.

I was so excited to read this book--at 57, I can use some inspiration! And I give Justine Bateman all the credit in the world for being willing to talk so openly about these issues that so many of us needlessly agonize over. She's got style and flair and I think she's gorgeous. But I'm sorry to say that the book didn't meet my expectations. I thought the sketches were shallow and repetitive. I wish she had included fewer, better developed sketches from more distinct perspectives. But at least she is opening the door to the conversations we need to have. Even though I was disappointed, I'm still glad I bought the book.

The intro and the first few vignettes were lovely. And then it seems like the author changed. The remaining vignettes read like cheap fiction. They were repetitive, superficial and cliche. I was expecting something that reflected critical thinking and that was empowering. Such a waste of a great opportunity.

Beautifully done! Buy it buy it buy it!!!!

i had some decent expectations, but the book was a big let down. It was so dated in it's references it was irritating to read. Many cliche descriptions and situations, very few actually relatable to modern life with social media. I can't believe it got any acclaim. I hope this topic is covered by a better author ! Sadly I recommend passing on this one !

I enjoyed reading this book because it expressed a lot of my concerns about aging. It was good at exposing the problems, but sadly i didn't find it very encouraging in terms of solutions. It wasn't very helpful to help change my mindset about my fears. I would have liked more wisdom from women who embrace their aging looks.

I was hoping for an objective, intelligent discussion on women and ageing. Instead it turned out to be a collection of (too) many short stories whose themes could have been condensed into a quarter of the text. It came across as angry and negative towards women who decide to have face/body altering procedures. The characters in the stories came across as one-dimensional and somewhat shallow. I skimmed through the last quarter of the book, it all got a bit too much of the same thing. What a wasted opportunity to explore a different kind of conversation, one that could be more empowering and inclusive, digging a bit deeper than "plastic surgery is bad" vs "no surgery is good" binary.

It’s one thing for Bateman to self-righteously shame other women for their aesthetic choices, but the writing! Weird, clunky syntax and baffling sentence structure. I can’t believe this was professionally edited. I binned it.