They Used to Call Me Snow White . . . But I Drifted: Women’s Strategic Use of Humor

By Gina Barreca

Published by Viking in 1991 and issued as a paperback through Penguin Books in 1992, Snow White became an instant classic for both academic and general audiences interested in how women use humor and what others (men) think about funny women. Barreca, who draws on the work of scholars, writers, and comedians to illuminate a sharp critique of the gender-specific aspects of humor, provides laughs and provokes arguments as she shows how humor helps women break rules and occupy center stage. Barreca’s new introduction provides a funny and fierce, up-to-the-minute account of the fate of women’s humor over the past twenty years, mapping what has changed in our culture—and questioning what hasn’t.

• Language: English
• Publisher: University Press of New England
• Release date: May 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781611684469

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Reviews for They Used to Call Me Snow White . . . But I Drifted

[lynnb_64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

[They Used to Call Me Snow White But I Drifted] was an interesting look at the "gender politics" of humour. The author is a professor of English and of feminist theory in the U.S. She examines how girls and boys are taught about using humour, and about what is appropriately considered funny by each gender. She continues with the use of humour in adults. Some younger readers might not be familiar with all the examples of funny women she uses, but will still get the point that trusting your own sense of humour is empowering.

[judes316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book a few years ago after seeing Regina when she was a speaker at a conference that I went to. She is very funny and her books hit close to home. A great book for women