My Body

Written by Emily Ratajkowski

Narrated by Emily Ratajkowski

This program is read by the author.

"Ratajkowski shares thoughts on sexuality, feminism, and power dynamics in a nuanced way that will have listeners looking for more from her." —AudioFile

"The essays are more impactful when you hear Ratajkowski read them, which she does with sincere emotion." —Shondaland

"My Body offers a lucid examination of the mirrors in which its author has seen herself, and her indoctrination into the cult of beauty as defined by powerful men. In its more transcendent passages . . . the author steps beyond the reach of any 'Pygmalion' and becomes a more dangerous kind of beautiful. She becomes a kind of god in her own right: an artist."
—Melissa Febos, The New York Times Book Review

A "MOST ANTICIPATED" AND "BEST OF FALL 2021" BOOK FOR * VOGUE * TIME * ESQUIRE * PEOPLE * USA TODAY * CHICAGO TRIBUNE * LOS ANGELES TIMES * SHONDALAND * ALMA * THRILLEST * NYLON * FORTUNE

A deeply honest investigation of what it means to be a woman and a commodity from Emily Ratajkowski, the archetypal, multi-hyphenate celebrity of our time

Emily Ratajkowski is an acclaimed model and actress, an engaged political progressive, a formidable entrepreneur, a global social media phenomenon, and now, a writer. Rocketing to world fame at age twenty-one, Ratajkowski sparked both praise and furor with the provocative display of her body as an unapologetic statement of feminist empowerment. The subsequent evolution in her thinking about our culture’s commodification of women is the subject of this book.

My Body is a profoundly personal exploration of feminism, sexuality, and power, of men's treatment of women and women's rationalizations for accepting that treatment. These essays chronicle moments from Ratajkowski’s life while investigating the culture’s fetishization of girls and female beauty, its obsession with and contempt for women’s sexuality, the perverse dynamics of the fashion and film industries, and the gray area between consent and abuse.

Nuanced, fierce, and incisive, My Body marks the debut of a writer brimming with courage and intelligence.

A Macmillan Audio production from Metropolitan Books

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Nov 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781250825612

Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski is a model, actress, activist, entrepreneur, and writer. She has starred in David Fincher’s Gone Girl, among other films. Ratajkowski has also appeared on the covers of multiple magazines and walked the runway for numerous high fashion brands. Her 2020 essay for New York magazine, “Buying Myself Back,” garnered over one million views within twenty-four hours, was hailed as a landmark, and was the magazine’s most-read piece of the year. My Body is her first book.

Reviews for My Body

[blue · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this book was very hard to read/listen to sometimes but it was all worth it! thank you emily

[m · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

really great memoir, and very insightful to read the firsthand account affirming that even women deemed the sexiest women in entertainment can fall victim to nasty, predatory men. emrata is such a great storyteller.

[Юлия Фролова · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emotional, yet simple and sincere. Made me cry when the childbirth was described, and also extremely hateful when hearing stories of violations.

[Carrie Jensen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible book. Read by the author, which always makes it better. Emily’s essays and stories are very deep and at times dark. I love the honesty and raw voice of her bio. I read this right after I read Britney’s memoir; which was very timely. Both women speak their truth with confidence. At one point near the end of an essay; Emily’s voice changes and you can feel the emotion. I wanted to hug her. May women keep speaking their truth, calling out the embedded patriarchy of our society!

[Caro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written book about Emily's body and how she navigate the intricacies of making a living with her body. Basically, by asking how to own this body that as being a commodity, photographs for either selling products or our own consumption. We sometimes feel less alone. Since her analysis ask the same questions as we do ourselves. Not to be cliché but it is difficult for us (women of colour who have ‘normal’ bodies) to realize that someone like her could feel completely out of place in her own body. But she does and for this analysis, I will be eternally grateful!

[Amara C · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very raw and relatable. I love the authenticity and the experiences shared.

[Eva F. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a book! Disturbing but such an important message and incredibly well written.

[Moises Garza Cervantes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this collection of essays and her perspective and feelings about her body and how femenism works.

[NabilaAli · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written and good reflections and thoughts about life of a model or a mannequin she calls it.

[Jill Rosenthal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s hard to give a 4-star review to a writer who bared her soul and opened her heart to her public. But it’s also hard to understand what made this woman proceed in this industry when from a young age, before most of us have even chosen a profession, continuing down a road that was already proving detrimental for her. Why did she find value in nothing but her body? And what made her think it was valuable when all it did was bring her pain and heartache - regardless of the money? We live in a misogynistic society and while we can fight for our worth, we cannot can get anything overnight. But we can change our actions so as not to fall prey to those soulless humans who should not be allowed to live in our midst.

Emily’s story is sad and left me hoping there was some joy in between these events included. But I’d hate to think that she views herself as a victim - the impression I was unfortunately left with. Because thankfully, we now have choices where once we did not. And I hope the writer’s life has taught her lessons that she can now use to prepare her son to enter into a world as a better human than most.?

[Loki · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Must read for people on both sides of the lens: Fashion/ Social-media Models & Industry; You and Me.

[Marta Barrales · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing. One of the loveliest memoirs I’ve read and my favorite of the year.

[Emmanuel Rodriguez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow so powerful ‘! Love it that it was narrated by the author. And I feel empty and powerful at the same time! What a book!

[Malibu Apothecary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written. I don’t agree with all of her views on feminism generally as I started to listen to her podcast but still love to listen and read along. She is very intellectually curious and love how her mind works. Great collection of essays and kudos to her!

[ole kirkeby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is an excellent book despite the terrible introduction ("the archetypal, multi-hyphenate celebrity of our time", I mean, come on). It is basically a very raw personal story with some sharp insights. Emily has had more than her fair share of bad experiences with creepy guys who want to exploit her sexually or financially. For us ordinary people it is disturbing but also fascinating to learn about the life of the famous and the wannabe-famous crowd. At the end of the book you will feel a bit better about being ordinary.

[Veronika L C Gustafson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting perspective. Nicely written account of what it is like to live in a body that’s made into a symbol of others aesthetic pleasure, envy and admiration