I liked how the chapters could be read seperately, giving me time to come back to this book to read the chapters as articles..

When I read the title, I realized I had to read it. And I was right. I had to read it. This book is long, at times with a lot of text, a lot of explanation, and yes... it's necessary.

Throughout history, the figure of a "single" woman has changed, but even today people ask me, "When's the boyfriend coming?" Luckily, they stop bothering me when I tell them I'm fine this way, that I'm happy, and that I don't necessarily need a figure by my side (be it a man or a woman) to feel fulfilled.

Here, Caroline Young gives us an overview of the single female figure in different spheres and genders and how it's viewed. Among that information, she also shares personal experiences that greatly enrich the reading, and one truly feels accompanied and understood.

I think it's a book I'd like to have in physical form and reread several times. Open to any page and read the section and enjoy Young's writing.

Many thanks to the University Press of Kentucky for the arc I read on netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a decent book! The highlights were for sure when the author would weave tidbits about her own life into the essay. It gets bogged down in parts by overly academic writing, but overall it was an interesting look at how the media portrays single women.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

Although this is a breakdown of different pop-culture references, you don't have to necessarily have watched a single movie referenced or read any of the books to understand what she is discussing. I haven't seen most of the movies (books, yes), but I didn't have any issues following any of the book.

Might have to go reread Great Expectations. I haven't read it since high school. I mean, Miss Havisham. ❤️

Definitely would recommend this book!

Caroline Young’s Single and Psycho is a sharp, engaging exploration of how pop culture has long villainized the single woman from the spinster tropes of literature to the femme fatales of film. Young weaves cultural analysis with her own personal reflections, offering a compelling look at the stigma surrounding singlehood and infertility. Her examination of figures like Alex Forrest from Fatal Attraction and the media’s treatment of stars like Taylor Swift is both thought-provoking and accessible.

While the pop culture insights are fascinating, it’s Young’s personal anecdotes that bring the book to life. Her vulnerability adds emotional depth and helps ground the academic discussion in lived experience. Though the book occasionally lacks deeper nuance or original critique, it’s an important, readable contribution to feminist media studies. Definitely recommend for anyone curious about the intersection of gender, media, and identity.

This didn’t totally click for me. Some chapters felt more like a list of references than a deep dive, and I found myself wanting more focused analysis or depth.

Still, it’s an interesting exploration of feminism, media, and singlehood—and definitely worth picking up if you love dissecting film, literature, and social expectations.