Week 12 Prompt

Reader's Advisory Matrix

Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, & Leanne Shapton

Where on the narrative continuum?

This book is all narrative with no facts or non-narrative research. Much of the book consists of surveys, pictures, and conversations; so while the information is narrative, there is no one narrative arch.

Subject?

This book looks at the ways in which various women from various backgrounds, ethnicities, careers, and ages view clothes, adornment, and fashion in relation to their own life.

Type of Book?

This book is described as an anthology. It is a collection of 639 surveys intermixed with photographs, projects, and discussion.

Articulate Appeal?

• Pacing: This book does not necessarily have a "flow" or "pace". It is the type of book where most readers probably flip around until they find a part that interests them. When trying to read the book start to finish, the book would probably seem hard to get through to many people. Interviews and specific sections are never too long in and of themselves, there is just so many of them. A fast-pace per section, just many, many sections.
• Characters: One goal of the book was to provide as many different types of women represented as possible. So in terms of "characters" there are 639 of them! However, the three main editors voices are intertwined throughout the book making them to be the "characters" that help you through. 
• How does it feel: Warm and open- like chatting with your friends, aunts, mothers.
• Focus: The importance of dress in our daily worlds, the vast array of opinions on clothes and how they affect each of us differently or similarly.
• Does language matter: Language varies depending on which section or person you are reading. 
• Is Setting Important: Overall no- but some respondents choose to describe their home/city more than others. However if "setting" is an important appeal factor for a reader I would not recommend this book.
• Are There Details: Yes- lots of detail into descriptions of clothes, jewelry, and conversations.
• Charts and Graphic Material: No charts, but pictures are used to show collections of items or other photographic projects such as scans of hands wearing rings, pictures of people's mothers, etc.
• Does the Book Stress Learning: Learning through understanding more viewpoints but does not stress learning new concepts or ideas.

 Why would a reader enjoy this book?

1) Characters 2) Details 3)Focus