Stripper Shoes Paperback – January 29, 2004

I had read this book a few years ago and loaned it to a friend who died. I never got it back. I hope he took it with him because I know he enjoyed it as much as I do. Thinking I'd like it in my library, I ordered another copy and could not help reading it again. This is a memoir describing Cheryl S. Bartlett, PhD, a 30-something year old Jewish married mother of two, seemingly in a midlife crisis. Temporarily trapped in a corporate job that fits poorly, she ventures out on stages and tabletops to take off her clothes. Why not?It is refershingly non-judgemental even though Dr. Bartlett describes herself as a feminist. She studies the strip-club, all while having way too much fun dancing and stripping. We meet the bouncers, DJs, and bartenders. We get to know the girls coming and going through the revolving door of stripper employment: Katrina, Moni, Delilah, Jess Belle, Roxy, Lana, Pandora, and so many others - each with her own story.Throughout the book, there is much confusion about why Dr. Bartlett is taking off her clothes in a strip club. Is it really a mid-life crisis? Is it because her corporate day job is awful and her co-workers mistreat her? Or is she studying the culture and writing a book? She denies being a stripper, but they all do. At one point, she is called out by an off-duty bartender who says, "I think you want to be a stripper and are just using writing about it as an excuse to take your clothes off."The book is wonderfully readable, funny, witty, and even a little scholarly. It also seems very honest and revealing, although I suspect Dr. Bartlett has a few more chapters somewhere that were not included. I'd give a lot to read them.

A great read. Funny and uplifting.

When a 32-year-old married mother of two, struggling with depression and a mid-life crisis, decides to step out and become a stripper, this nonfiction book chronicles her thoughts. Done as a series of vignettes, "Stipper Shoes" has neither axe to grind nor point to prove: instead it simply relates some of the author's experiences and observations from on and behind the stage in an interesting and funny way.Despite the author's PhD, she approches the subject from a personal perspective rather than an academic one. She talks about applying for the job, the rules of the club, interactions between the strippers, her first experience with the stage, all in a very non-judgemental, anecdotal way. The book delivers plenty of humor, and, for a book about the sex industry, remains remarkably (and refreshingly) agenda-free. The second half drops off a bit, as the author starts comparing stripping to other aspects of her life, and realizing that despite her experience, she still doesn't have the answers. And the ones she does have are ultimately (and admittedly) rather neutral.As a warning, there is a good deal of space spent on quoting. Songs, lyrics, and sayings by Thoreau and Neitzche, all make it into the book at the beginning of each "chapter"; and while some are relevant, some just take up space.Overall, it's a short read, and an enjoyable one. Not without its faults, but those chapters are easy to skip. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to read about the industry without getting preached at.

author is naive.

Yes, this is a fast read, but it's boring! I was looking for more spice, which is something very much missing from this book. Honestly, this book will appeal to women who are wowed by educated women dabbling as strippers and who don't want to hear about the real realities of this business. Moreover, I think this book lacks an edginess because lucklily the author was in a good life position---she had a high-paying "W-2 job," family support, an education and part-time employment in a well-managed bikini club---things most women who find themselves in the stripping business won't ever have!

A fascinating journey backstage leads to an honest self-examination, looking for love in all the wrong places. A voyeur's delight. Recommended reading. You go girl-great job!!

After reading, I didn't think it was too bad. The only reason I had against this book was it being general info on the subject.