I would like to thank netgalley and Hachette Audio for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was informative and inspiring for the future of science.

What an interesting read! Like many others I'm sure, I was attracted to this book by the title, but I'm so glad I listened to this one. This is a deep dive into the natural world of female creatures of all types, including their features and habits. It addresses the misconception of certain qualities and stereotypes and adds a heft dose of snark and humor to the mix. I did laugh out loud a few times and I really enjoyed the narrator's voice acting!

Really really liked this. Perfect blend of science bias against female side of the animal kingdom (Invisible Women but for animals) and Cooke's humorous and engaging prose. So many awesome tidbits that are usually un remarked upon when discussing animals.

Bitch: On the Female of the Species by Lucy Cooke
Publication date: June 14, 2022

Date read: July 30, 2022



Since Charles Darwin, evolutionary biologists have been convinced that the males of the animal kingdom are the interesting ones. Males are dominating and promiscuous, responsible for any variance in the species. In this book, zoologist Lucy Cooke shows us that nature actually tells a different story.

The audiobook was narrated by the author.

Right from the start, I knew I was going to like this book. Cooke’s introduction discussing gender versus sex in non-human animals was very knowledgeable and shows that she’s cognizant of the importance of establishing this from the start. It was with the times and smart, while at the same time not dumbing anything down to the audience, which I always appreciate.

I do wish that she had not started her book with the sections on genetics. Is it important information? Of course. But it is very science heavy, and I worry that it might alienate the readers who aren’t as comfortable with the material. But anyone who powers through will, I think, really enjoy the rest of the book, once it gets into behaviors rather than genetics. The chapters on trait selection and promiscuity are much more interesting.

Cooke really knows what she’s talking about with the science, but also has a sense of humor that I really enjoyed. (Chapter 4 is titled “Fifty Ways to Eat Your Lover”.)

I do have a science and genetics background, so I might not be the best judge of the audience for this book, but I do think that it has greater appeal than to just hardcore science nerds. Interest in science, especially wild animals, is a must, but previous scientific knowledge on the subject isn’t. I think that as long as the topic interests you, the book will be an enjoyable read.

Overall, I thought this book was very well-written and researched. Readers with a biology or genetics background should definitely like this book, but I think the appeal is broad. It’s also not just a book for women. Despite disproving that nature is always a male-dominated place, she isn’t anti-male. Just anti-outdated assumptions and poorly-executed experiments. I’m glad I got a chance to read this book.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I honestly think that this book should be read by everyone.
It really delves into how skewed science has been since the start, as in, men ran the show, and ignored blatant evidence of female animals playing the major role in many animal lives and societies.
I really loved the narration of this book, and I recommend the audiobook version highly.
There is humor, intrigue, and a general positive vibe to the entire book, even though some of the content is "graphic". I wouldn't listen to it in the car. Too many mentions of genitalia :P

This audiobook is so wonderfully infectious in its joy and enthusiasm with regards to the intersection between cultural norms and science. Reading about how science can be so incredibly impacted by personal bias is so important and done in such an inspiring way in this book. Making it light hearted helps in dealing with just how absurd and insulting the male-dominated science has been. What a wonderful experience it is listening to this. Highly recommended!

This audiobook is read by the author. She does a pretty good job, although the accent adds confusion in places. This is the book to hand to anyone who argues "x or y" or "only 2 biological sexes." A lot of the book focuses on the breadth and variations of anatomy in female animals, such as production of hormones considered "male" or "female" and gender-switching body parts. Also present are parthenogenic species, same-sex and non-reproductive sexual behavior, and animals that change between/among genders throughout their lives.

Present throughout the book is information about the androcentric history of natural science, and readers will see plenty of overlap between those practices and current research-- it made me think repeatedly of how medications are tested on men (because "no hormones") and how safety features (seatbelts!) aren't sized or tested for female bodies.

This book will make you feel frustrated and empowered by turns. Recommended for all general science readers. eAudiobook from NetGalley.

Lucy Cooke illustrates through animal facts, scientist’s anecdotes and her own storytelling skills the complexities of animal existence. As much as society tries to put everything into its binary obsessed, misogynistic, heteronormative narrative it doesn’t work. I really love random facts so this book was perfect for me especially when Lucy Cooke is so good at building a story with them. I really liked listening to her read her own book! Just a really great read!

*a copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Interesting look at the behaviors of animals that sheds new light on the females of the species that disproves the accepted theories that females are weak and boring to show that they are anything but that.

3.5 STARS

Bitch, please!!!

When I saw that Lucy Cooke had a new book out, I was very eager to listen to it. I loved listening to her previous book The Unexpected Truth About Animals which was as informative as it was humorous.

Since Darwin's famous The Origin of Species (published back in 1859), people have bought into his idea that the females of species are the 'weaker sex' - passive, monogamous and maternal all while deferring to the manly males of their species. Clearly, they've never met a female meerkat or female octopus!

With wit and science, Lucy Cooke is here to prove that these patriarchal biases and plain misinformation in the study of animals is untrue. Well-researched with laugh-out-loud moments, this book brings readers into the fierce females of the natural world and also reveals how the assumed binary gender/sexual roles of the animal kingdom are a misconception.

The book is filled with cool animal/evolutionary tidbits and anecdotes with a humorous vibe that gives this book a lighter feel. I will never think about a naked mole rat (as one does) in the same way again. That said, it took me awhile to listen to this audiobook because I often found the technical parts were a bit dry and overwhelming for this non-sciencey reader. Perhaps reading the physical book may have been a better option for me.

Overall, this is an empowering, thought-provoking read about how diverse, amazing and essential the females of species truly are. With humour and her love of science, Cooke teaches her readers about the ongoing misinformation and patriarchal slant science has given females of various species and how we must dispense with the many myths we've taken as truths.

My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital audiobook of this title given in exchange for my honest review.

This was not at all what I thought it was. Could definitely be my fault though. Loved the narrator, did not enjoy the book nor was it interesting at all.

A really interesting look at the variety of female expression and life in the animal kingdom!
Animal society and interactions are fascinating, and this book defies the typical mold into which animal life is usually fitted. I love that the author uses rarely discussed species and structures to challenge the pattern of dominant, interesting males and passive, dull females that most scientists proffer. It's a great reminder that genders and personalities come in endless varieties.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book and the audiobook!

I enjoyed Bitch: On the Female of the Species so much. I learnt a lot about biology. Lucy Cooke discusses how the Victorian view on zoology is outdated. The chapters discuss mate choice, monogamy myth, eating your lover, good and bad mothers, aggressive female animals, matriarchs and menopause, homosexual animal couples and animals that exist beyond the gender binary. Cooke does this with humour and great expertise. She discusses a great variety of species, many of which she has met before or while doing research for this book. It was great having her narrate the audiobook as well.

I loved learning all these things and I would love to reread and annotate a physical book. I would recommend Bitch if you are into feminism and love to learn about animals.

Bitch
On the Female of the Species
by Lucy Cooke
This book was absolutely amazing! It's going in my favorite folder for sure! I read it twice! It has factual information about various aspects of the female species that make them unique, in so many different species! Some aspects are so bizarre it's hard to believe!
Besides the rare and unusual tidbits of info that is explained and shocking the reader, sometimes it's the subject itself that's shocking! Wow, the subject! Lol! Yes, this book will blow you away!
The facts and information is also presented in a humorous, witty, and clever way that kept me smiling and chuckling! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Subject, humor, facts, and writer! All wonderful!
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me listen to this book!

3.5 Stars

The very title of this book made me curious and wanted to check it out further. Bitch, wasn't what I had in mind but was interesting and funny enough to hold my attention and had me laughing unexpectedly. I definitely related to Cooke finding gross biology stuff awesome. I grew up to be a nurse.

Cooke shows us that the females of the species can be just as dynamic as their male counterparts. We learn gender roles, and the diversity of female species and look at family units. Cooke covers more than reproduction. I love animals and biology and found this book engaging. I learned a lot of cool stuff. Because Cooke is starting the conversation about changing history from a misogynistic viewpoint, I'm sure this is controversial for some. However, I enjoyed listening to this book. The narration was just okay for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio,for providing me with an Audio ARC for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.
Synopsis
A fierce, funny, and revolutionary look at the queens of the animal kingdom

Studying zoology made Lucy Cooke feel like a sad freak. Not because she loved spiders or would root around in animal feces: all her friends shared the same curious kinks. The problem was her sex. Being female meant she was, by nature, a loser.

Since Charles Darwin, evolutionary biologists have been convinced that the males of the animal kingdom are the interesting ones -dominating and promiscuous, while females are dull, passive, and devoted.

In Bitch, Cooke tells a new story. Whether investigating same-sex female albatross couples that raise chicks, murderous mother meerkats, or the titanic battle of the sexes waged by ducks, Cooke shows us a new evolutionary biology, one where females can be as dynamic as any male. This isn‘t your grandfather’s evolutionary biology. It’s more inclusive, truer to life, and, simply, more fun.

This probably wouldn’t be my usual choice of book, but I guess that’s why I was keen to listen to it. Truly an inclusive read, with great wit and humour, although I felt like I was learning a subject that I didn’t really have an interest in (sorry) I actually really enjoyed the process. I love and hate the fact that this book is pushing the boundaries simply by being about the female of the species written by the female of the species. A step forward that seems so absurd yet brilliant.

In a Nutshell: Not as misandrist as I had assumed. Way funnier than I had anticipated! Insightful, relevant, comprehensive, mind-blowing. Go for it!

Science is always said to be objective. But we need to ask ourselves how objective can a subject be if it has excluded the thoughts of half of the world’s population, if it has observed phenomena through masculine-filtered lenses, if it has dismissed any change in traditional masculine superiority as an aberration than as a possible norm. British zoologist and digital personality Lucy Cooke raises an array of questions and provides a throng of answers about various elements of nature where things aren’t quite what we have been taught either in school or through research papers or even through television documentaries.

In one of her Youtube videos, Cooke says, “If you want to tell a story and reach a wider audience, it helps if you are a bit playful about it.” She applies this principle with heart and soul to this book. Every anecdote is peppered with an underlying tone of fun, and every chapter shines a spotlight on her sense of humour.

Right at the start, we have the author's note on the use of language, and here itself, the tone of the book is set. The author makes it clear why we have dual gender-based terms in biology, how the terms are used in the book, and how we should refrain from using the terms unless needed. As we all know, the concept of gender is very fluid, so the traditional theory of the male and female binary doesn’t stand on its feet anymore. Her note clarifies why she resorts to these words at times, while still declaring, “Gendered ideas based on binary sex are nonsense."

Most biology/zoology textbooks teach us things from the perspective of the male of the species. When it comes to females, the information is limited to mothering a baby and sometimes, being the queen of a colony. So the content of this book took me by surprise. Thanks to the documentaries of my favourite nature guru Sir David Attenborough, I did know a few of the facts, such as the female praying mantis biting off the head of her “lover” while the poor guy is indulging in copulation, the story of Darwin’s finches, or the mating hierarchy of certain ape groups. But most of the animal anecdotes were totally new to me. (I am never going to look at meerkats or ducks the same way again! *shudder*)

Fighting for a mate, queening over a group or colony, “pleasuring themselves”, the truth about monogamy, “virgin births”, power struggles,… the book throws one interesting chapter after another, all ideas being supported by ample data and examples from the animal world. As Cooke herself declares, it is high time the “sexist mythology in biology and zoology” is shattered. Along the way, she raises awareness about other topics such as climate change and the impact it is having on the natural world.

The author’s methodology ensures that even those unfamiliar with the animal world will comprehend her points. Her writing is balanced with plenty of light-hearted remarks, multiple anecdotes, and an empathetic approach. She also peppers the content with a few examples from movies such as ‘Finding Nemo’, making it even more relatable. It does get a bit technical at times, but you can safely skip over anything you find esoteric without hampering your understanding of the book. As long as you were able to understand that the animal on the cover is a hyena and not a dog, you’re good to go. 😉

While I loved almost all the content, my favourite has to be the final chapter, in which she shatters the myth of gender duality in nature. All those naysayers who declare that homosexuality isn’t “natural” and “God made two genders”, you’ve got a rethink coming your way!

Cooke doesn’t just stop at revealing examples from nature. Time and again, she highlights examples of female biologists and zoologists whose names have been pushed under the radar for propagating an “incorrect” or “impossible” hypothesis about the female of any animal species. Men have traditionally been considered more evolved and therefore more intelligent, more reasonable, more imaginative, more superior to women. As such, it is not just female animals who have been ignored but also female scientists whose thoughts have been either curtained or curtailed. Cooke also mentions multiple examples where evidence from research has suffered through a confirmation bias, simply because it didn’t match the prevailing idea of male superiority. One example even mentions a male scientist’s declaration of a female bird having “hormonal imbalance” due to the breeding season and hence her behaviour being invalidated. Let me make it clear that she doesn’t point fingers at these male scientists but just shows how rational thinking has been coloured by gendered viewpoints. As she says, “There is no conspiracy here, just blinkered science. […] good scientists can suffer bad biases.”

The audiobook, clocking at almost 12 hours, is narrated by the author herself. And what an amazing experience it has been to hear her! She has put her experience as a BBC presenter to brilliant use and delivers a pitch-perfect performance. I loved the book for its content, but Cooke’s vivacity enhances the experience of the audio version. For the first time in ages, I relished an audiobook at 1x speed, soaking in every word and laughing/sighing along the way

4.75 stars.

Tons of thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Bitch: On the Female of the Species”! I usually avoid nonfiction ARCs as I find myself handicapped in reviewing them. But this was one title that appealed to me the minute I saw that bad-ass hyena on the cover and I knew I HAD to read this. Never have I kept my fingers and toes so tightly crossed for any ARC! Hachette’s approval of this title had made me day, and reading this book has made my reading year.

This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.

In her book #Bitch (‘A revolutionary guide to sex, evolution & the female animal’ in UK; ‘On the female of the species’ in US, a trimmed title I feel betrays the book) zoologist Lucy Cooke has one clear objective: to challenge a historically biased view of the animal kingdom.

“[… G]ood scientists can suffer bad biases,” writes Cooke. Her aim isn’t to negate the work of scientists who have, in essence, made biology a science; what she wants is to lift the blindfolds imposed by longstanding bigotries. The cultural notion of the ‘fairer (read weaker, submissive) sex’ and the religious value of heteronormativity have caused a considerable group of scientists to lose objectivity in their assessments. According to Cooke, what makes these biases particularly dangerous is their “boomerang nature” — because such beliefs are ingrained in scientists, they do not register contradicting patterns; this causes a lack of data; this lack of data is presumed to be evidence as to the absence of female dominance and (in anthropomorphised terms) queerness; this is then used as ammunition by bigots to justify their views, on account of what is ‘natural’.

But these convictions couldn’t be farther from the truth. Nature is not uniform. Female agency, female aggression, female power, female dominance are observed across many species. Homosexuality and same-sex partnership are not all that rare. In nature, not even sex is always binary. Cooke takes the readers on an absolutely wild, superbly fun journey through the social orders and sexual behaviours of a wide range of animals, from mammals to arthropods, to prove her points. At the face of an ecological crisis, she further notes, the survival of numerous species will likely depend on these qualities.

While Cooke, as should be expected, uses proper terminology, this does not obscure the clarity of her explanations, or hinder the flow of her narration; she breaks down everything, and anyone who has been to high school will readily be familiar with the terms anyway. Without a doubt, Bitch has been written to be read and understood. There’s nothing intimidating . . . except maybe for the female spiders, and that shouldn’t be a cause for concern unless you’re a male spider looking to mate!

I had, until now, never enjoyed an audiobook (or even completed one without increasing the speed to x2) as much as I adored Bitch, narrated by the author herself. It’s a terrific experience: Cooke sounds much less like reading a book, and far more like presenting a documentary film! 11 chapters, an introduction, a conclusion, a running time of almost 12 hours, and not once does Bitch get boring, or the audiobook become cumbersome to listen to. Cooke’s awesome sense of humour and witty remarks made me chuckle several times.

Half a year gone by, and Bitch is my first 5-star read of 2022. Going in, I was hopeful of course, but I didn’t expect it (especially since it’s an audiobook) to be absolutely perfect. It should be a compulsory read in all high schools! I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Huge thank you to #NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this wonderful DRC!

I loved this. It was the perfect book to listen to while I did chores around the house or ran errands. I found myself laughing and sometimes pumping my fist in the air. It was great.

I really, really enjoyed this audiobook! It was very informative and hilarious, and it kept me hooked the entire time. It was an easy listen.