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This Is For The Women Who Don’t Give A Fuck
She writes about the conversations she has with her gynecologist while his head is between her thighs. She writes about what having an abortion alone felt like because her boyfriend wouldn’t sell his guitar to buy a plane ticket. She writes about the purple flesh of her nipple and pleasure so loud that the world must sigh and shut its blinds—for it cannot taste the desire it has not lived. She writes when grief takes her down to the white tile floor of her kitchen and keeps her there all night. She writes how the brown of an espresso smells in white sheets brought by an Italian who played her legs like a harp all night. She writes her disdain for the commercialization of spiritualism and in the same breath demands that people heed their gut before their guru. She writes how the numbness of grief feels the Monday morning after a suicide. She writes of surfing naked in broad daylight—what freedom tastes like, what dust feels like hitting the back of her legs in the muggy heat of May as she tears through the jungle with the teeth of her heart. She writes about the yellow of fireflies, the bitterness of kicking horse coffee in a blue tin cup, and the taste of air cleaned by hemlocks. She writes of Austin, where cowboys walk in boots that echo on sidewalks stained with love. She writes about her disdain for marriage, politics, pensions, the military, and university—she questions everything and writes the truths we are too afraid to tell ourselves. She doesn’t find her radical vulnerability brave, she finds it common sense—like breathing.
This Is For The Women Who Don’t Give A Fuck is a poetry collection of Robinson’s heart. Her work is a diverse assortment of gut-wrenching stories, powerful anecdotes, whimsical observations, and overall joyful expressions. She relinquishes social constructs with command and grace. Her rare eloquence is mesmerizing and inclusive to all readers. This collection takes you to extraordinary places and doesn’t return you quite the same.
This Is For The Women Who Don’t Give A Fuck is a poetry collection of Robinson’s heart. Her work is a diverse assortment of gut-wrenching stories, powerful anecdotes, whimsical observations, and overall joyful expressions. She relinquishes social constructs with command and grace. Her rare eloquence is mesmerizing and inclusive to all readers. This collection takes you to extraordinary places and doesn’t return you quite the same.
216 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2017
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3,581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 1, 2020
Forgive me hands
For I have held
Everything but myself
The two star rating feels slightly harsh. It's not that the poetry is bad, it's that it's a bit... unintentionally inauthentic.
I think Janne Robinson sets out to define herself as brash, honest, and raw, if not shockingly so, but I really don't think her poetry is any of that. She makes it known that she doesn't care what people think of her, but I think she cares a lot. There is a lot of anger and resentment in her words, as well as contradiction. A lot of finger-pointing at "society" and other people for not living their lives truthfully, or rather, perhaps, the way Robinson thinks they should. And very little vulnerability overall.
I say all this because it reminds me of myself in my early twenties. Frustrated and hell bent against proving that I was different, that I was "right" and that I didn't need the way other people needed. Now I know there's nothing wrong with need. Needing to feel safe, feel loved, feel appreciated, to be reassured. It's what makes us human.
The poem I put at the beginning of the review is the most honest piece in the book. I think it's right on the money and that Robinson should look internally and explore that feeling more. I'm certainly interested and will keep an eye out for more of her work.
I received this book in a ŷ giveaway!
For I have held
Everything but myself
The two star rating feels slightly harsh. It's not that the poetry is bad, it's that it's a bit... unintentionally inauthentic.
I think Janne Robinson sets out to define herself as brash, honest, and raw, if not shockingly so, but I really don't think her poetry is any of that. She makes it known that she doesn't care what people think of her, but I think she cares a lot. There is a lot of anger and resentment in her words, as well as contradiction. A lot of finger-pointing at "society" and other people for not living their lives truthfully, or rather, perhaps, the way Robinson thinks they should. And very little vulnerability overall.
I say all this because it reminds me of myself in my early twenties. Frustrated and hell bent against proving that I was different, that I was "right" and that I didn't need the way other people needed. Now I know there's nothing wrong with need. Needing to feel safe, feel loved, feel appreciated, to be reassured. It's what makes us human.
The poem I put at the beginning of the review is the most honest piece in the book. I think it's right on the money and that Robinson should look internally and explore that feeling more. I'm certainly interested and will keep an eye out for more of her work.
I received this book in a ŷ giveaway!
August 12, 2018
If you're a woman and a writer, you've read this book before. You've written this book before. Janne Robinson pens poems about enjoying sex, whiskey, black coffee, hating marriage, suburbia... the kind of rebellious revelations one makes at a considerably younger age than hers. More to the point, most of these poems, especially toward the first half of the book, read like rough drafts. Hard to tell if she is just lacking the words to breathe new life into these stale, but still legitimate proclamations, or if this is part of her whole "not giving a fuck" thing. I'd guess the former.
I think though that this book is an exercise in Janne *trying* to not give a fuck (anyone who goes around saying, "I don't give a fuck!" usually gives a lot of them.) She writes a lot about wanting men to fall in love with her, which, while contradictory to this whole book's theme, are the most honest poems in here.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy this. I appreciate her voice, I'm just not particularly moved.
I think though that this book is an exercise in Janne *trying* to not give a fuck (anyone who goes around saying, "I don't give a fuck!" usually gives a lot of them.) She writes a lot about wanting men to fall in love with her, which, while contradictory to this whole book's theme, are the most honest poems in here.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy this. I appreciate her voice, I'm just not particularly moved.
June 15, 2022
This collection of poetry is one of the most honest and relatable piece of literature I have read in a long time. Robinson writes about relationships, ambitions, being free, and the struggles of being a woman in todays society. Her brutal honesty is refreshing and appreciated. Every woman should take a look at this collection. And I am willing to bet every woman will be able to take something away from at least one of these poems. I personally marked my favorites, the ones I relate to most, so that I can go back to them and reflect when needed. Definitely worth the read!
December 8, 2021
Oh. My. God. Someone, please pay me to write poetry and publish it. Because if I wrote it, I would probably write like this. And it's not good. I have that much self-awareness at least. The author calls herself a feminist, and I'm sure she is, but you don't need to shout about how much of a feminist you are to actually be one. Show us. You don't need to write about writing poems for us to know you're a poet. Show us. You're not provocative for writing "fuck" or "pussy" or talking about vaginas or sex or a woman enjoying sex. Show us without just saying "I'm a woman and I like sex." There is some potential for this to be okay poetry, but it needs work and editing and more reflection and just more depth and maybe some college-level poetry classes first. I bought this because she wrote about herself: "Her no sugar shit prose cuts with the simplicity and honesty of Bukowski and the romantic reliability of Kerouac. Her poetry leads like a woman, walking with fire in the footprints of Steinem." No, my dear, you are no Bukowski, Kerouac, or Steinem. It fell flat for me. I'd much rather read Bukowski, the anti-feminist he was, because his poems at least are more enjoyable to read. This felt like a high school final project. It doesn't feel authentic, it feels forced.
August 14, 2019
You know, it’s stuff like this that makes me think I give more fucks than I care to admit. Not no fucks. Just some fucks given. Like a small amount.
July 7, 2018
some poems are awesome. but some she shows her privilege and assumes that everyone can take her path.
April 1, 2019
I've read this book before. Not actually, but that's what it felt like. My unfiltered opinion of this book feels a little harsh to write out... so instead I'll just link to what it reminded me of: . It had moments of poignancy, in between feeling like pandering.
April 9, 2018
I have many thoughts on this book, but none of them are very positive. I was wildly underwhelmed.
May 14, 2024
Disclaimer: I do give many fucks, sadly.
Review: Angry and snarky mixed with a few gems
Review: Angry and snarky mixed with a few gems
May 5, 2022
I give kudos to anyone that publishes a book, it’s impressive. I hope this book inspires some females to be themselves and love who they are. The poetry in this book was repetitive so I got bored as I find it hard to continuously listen to someone’s opinion on their own life.
March 12, 2023
3.5 stars! Love some some poems about empowered women. Bookmarked lots of poems that I loved, but there were also some where I was like ?? And some ghat were a little too preachy and “I’m so different and quirky and more woke than other women�
April 22, 2025
Janne Robinson’s This is for the Women Who Don’t Give a Fuck reads like a manifesto scribbled on bar napkins at 2 a.m.—raw, brash, and unapologetically drenched in emotion. It has an energy that will absolutely speak to a certain audience: those drawn to fire-and-smoke declarations of feminine freedom, defiance, and vulnerability. Think whiskey shots, chipped nail polish, and barefoot walks home under neon signs.
That said, for me, it felt like the whiskey-soaked, cigarette-fuelled musings of a very specific kind of manic pixie dream girl—one who is loud in her rebellion but perhaps a little performative in her messiness. There’s a kind of curated chaos here, with poems that seem more like shouted Instagram captions than crafted literary work. The passion is there, but it often leans more into aesthetic than depth.
To be fair, the collection might be empowering to readers who crave that untamed voice, who see themselves in the wildness and the pain, and who appreciate poetry as a kind of personal exorcism. But as someone looking for a more nuanced or introspective approach to femininity, this collection didn’t quite land. It felt more like a brand than a book.
Not for me—but perhaps for the women who, indeed, don’t give a fuck.
That said, for me, it felt like the whiskey-soaked, cigarette-fuelled musings of a very specific kind of manic pixie dream girl—one who is loud in her rebellion but perhaps a little performative in her messiness. There’s a kind of curated chaos here, with poems that seem more like shouted Instagram captions than crafted literary work. The passion is there, but it often leans more into aesthetic than depth.
To be fair, the collection might be empowering to readers who crave that untamed voice, who see themselves in the wildness and the pain, and who appreciate poetry as a kind of personal exorcism. But as someone looking for a more nuanced or introspective approach to femininity, this collection didn’t quite land. It felt more like a brand than a book.
Not for me—but perhaps for the women who, indeed, don’t give a fuck.
February 11, 2018
This is a good collection of poetry. There is a very strong feminist message in the poems. She writes her thoughts down and doen't care what people think about them or her. She has a very srong personality that is definately displayed in these poems. Some of the poems have titles and others do not. Of the poems that had no title there were two that I really loved. The first lines are "What they don't tell you as a little girl" and "We aren't afraid of heights; we are afraid of falling." My favorite poems in the collection were: "There's Cobwebs on Her Vagina," "I Woke Up Today and Didn't Miss You Anymore," "Conversations With Grief," the title poem, "Mama Didn't Raise No Fucking Princess," "Listen Up You Big Boys," "I'm Not Afraid to Tell You," "The Dark Side of Paradise," "I Will Never Be a Well-Behaved Woman," "Enlightened Toilet Paper," "Poems are Where the Pain Goes," "I am a Woman of Distinction," "His Job," "Be Your Own Goddamn Knight," "I Did Not Bring You Here to Make Love Tonight," "I'm On It," and "Dear Men part 2".
February 19, 2018
My favourite thing about Janne Robinson's poetry is Janne Robinson's voice. Shouting from the pages of this collection is a bold, fierce woman on the run from grief, disillusionment, and the quotidian. Her language is simple, and she does not labour over poetic devices. Frequent bursts of delineation and catalogue verse add emphasis and strength to her themes. Many of the poems are more like slam poems than page poems; try reading some of them aloud for an alternative reading experience.
The energy generated by the poems in This Is for the Women Who Don't Give a Fuck is exciting, and it propels its audience along for a quick read. This is a good collection for readers who are new to poetry. It will also be enjoyed by those who, like Robinson, strongly and vociferously value travel, love, independence, and experience over materialism, accumulation, and slavish consumption. -RH
The energy generated by the poems in This Is for the Women Who Don't Give a Fuck is exciting, and it propels its audience along for a quick read. This is a good collection for readers who are new to poetry. It will also be enjoyed by those who, like Robinson, strongly and vociferously value travel, love, independence, and experience over materialism, accumulation, and slavish consumption. -RH
February 8, 2020
Why I'm interested in this book at the first place
An accidental discovery while I was googling for some feminist/feminism reads. This book comes out in one of the search results.
What do I think of this book... now that I've done reading it
I kinda love it! It's been a while since the last time reading poetry books, and refreshing for the mind to read in different genre.
+
1. I love the way Janne puts into words on social issues; choices; liberation and freedom; sex and sensuality, love and of course, the reality.
-
1. And yes, Janne touches on some heavy topics in relation to being female and feminity and feminism, this book is not for the easily triggered.
Get this
1. If you wanted to start a reading list on feminism in proses.
2. If you a fan of/loves read to read poetries.
An accidental discovery while I was googling for some feminist/feminism reads. This book comes out in one of the search results.
What do I think of this book... now that I've done reading it
I kinda love it! It's been a while since the last time reading poetry books, and refreshing for the mind to read in different genre.
+
1. I love the way Janne puts into words on social issues; choices; liberation and freedom; sex and sensuality, love and of course, the reality.
-
1. And yes, Janne touches on some heavy topics in relation to being female and feminity and feminism, this book is not for the easily triggered.
Get this
1. If you wanted to start a reading list on feminism in proses.
2. If you a fan of/loves read to read poetries.
August 6, 2020
"I will not wait to die to begin to live
What are you doing right now?
Go outside
Go
Go stand in the goddamn sunshine
smile at someone
see the people around you
see the pink flowers that hang heavy
the red poppies that reach for the heavens
feel the air in your lungs and be grateful they rise and fall on their own
that your heart is beating strongly in your chest without assistance
call the people you love, hell, get in a car
and drive to their doorstep and remind
them how much you love them
we are not here to waste time not living, breathing, moving, loving
we are not just here to work, eat, shit,
sleep, make money, spend money—we
are here to love
please go outside right now and look at the mountains
use your phone to extend some love instead of emails
it’s not a request today—it’s a plea do not wait to die, to begin to live."
She's brave and I'm here for it.
What are you doing right now?
Go outside
Go
Go stand in the goddamn sunshine
smile at someone
see the people around you
see the pink flowers that hang heavy
the red poppies that reach for the heavens
feel the air in your lungs and be grateful they rise and fall on their own
that your heart is beating strongly in your chest without assistance
call the people you love, hell, get in a car
and drive to their doorstep and remind
them how much you love them
we are not here to waste time not living, breathing, moving, loving
we are not just here to work, eat, shit,
sleep, make money, spend money—we
are here to love
please go outside right now and look at the mountains
use your phone to extend some love instead of emails
it’s not a request today—it’s a plea do not wait to die, to begin to live."
She's brave and I'm here for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2024
✨This Is For The Women Who Don’t Give A Fuck by Janne Robinson�
My first Poetry review.
There’s not denying, that this is a title that attracts any woman who has something to say. After reading the back of the book, I was ready to be humoured and relate with the material throughout.
Before sharing my experience, poetry needs to be read different than a novel. I tried to connect, find deeper meaning, and feel the emotions. I was quick to discover that poetry is not for me.
Even though there were verses I thoroughly enjoyed, it’s written by an angry feminist and that is simply not my vibe. I found it cynical and somewhat hypocritical at times, and wish there was less focus on hating men and more about empowering women.
Reading should uplift, and this did the opposite for me.
I’ll give poetry another chance. Just not sure when.
⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
My first Poetry review.
There’s not denying, that this is a title that attracts any woman who has something to say. After reading the back of the book, I was ready to be humoured and relate with the material throughout.
Before sharing my experience, poetry needs to be read different than a novel. I tried to connect, find deeper meaning, and feel the emotions. I was quick to discover that poetry is not for me.
Even though there were verses I thoroughly enjoyed, it’s written by an angry feminist and that is simply not my vibe. I found it cynical and somewhat hypocritical at times, and wish there was less focus on hating men and more about empowering women.
Reading should uplift, and this did the opposite for me.
I’ll give poetry another chance. Just not sure when.
⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
May 14, 2022
A lot of people rated this so lowly & I can’t understand why, when was writing supposed to be solely based off positive & uplifting emotion? Yes she’s very straightforward but wouldn’t you want someone to speak up rather than sugarcoat OUR reality? “I do not write poetry with a heart full of joy I write the sorrow so that it can be kept somewhere other than my heart I write of my pain when I am left I write of my anger at the wrongs I see on this planet I write of love that does not become love but instead is flushed down the toilet left unread I write loneliness I write blind with rage I write the justice I do not see � These poems are large bits of purple lips that are found in the limbs of sex that is useless and empty of love�
October 6, 2018
I loved this book. The stark honesty and bluntness of her writing made me burst out laughing, scoff, and cry with empathy. Even the more cheesy/cringy poems were embarrassingly relatable. I'd give it five stars, but she too often seems to find a sort of self-satisfaction/self-righteousness in using her poetry to bash equally-privileged people for living differently from how she chooses to. I'm all for self-confidence and self-love, but that's not going to come at the expense of others.
November 15, 2018
I've followed Janne for some time on social media and I am astonished by her brash, unapologetic honesty. I was delighted to see that this honesty carried over into her book. After devouring each poem, I felt extremely liberated. The woman I'd been limiting was undoubtedly ready to be released. She was ready to reek havoc on the word with all the things she'd kept her mouth shut about, in order to 'please' others. Thank you Janne for helping me give myself permission.
December 11, 2018
I liked the rawness of the poems, sometimes it seems you’re taking a peek into her notebook, scribbling down vivid and energetic ideas about her experiences with love, leaving them unpolished and with a sense of honesty, sometimes even empowerment. Not all of the pieces resonated with me though, I kind of felt the poems lost energy towards the end. I enjoyed the first half or so a lot, and will be looking out for more of her work in the future.
January 26, 2022
The kind of book I want to throw on the face of society everyday.
" I am not afraid to tell you that I am beautiful"
Darling Janne Robinson, I believe I am the kind of woman you would want around. I definitely am. Thanks for writing such empowering words.
" if you take the flesh of a woman that is not yours
may you burn in the red-hot coals of a hell I don’t believe in."
I am going to read ,re-read and re-re-read this book. Absolutely amazingly empowering.
Take love
" I am not afraid to tell you that I am beautiful"
Darling Janne Robinson, I believe I am the kind of woman you would want around. I definitely am. Thanks for writing such empowering words.
" if you take the flesh of a woman that is not yours
may you burn in the red-hot coals of a hell I don’t believe in."
I am going to read ,re-read and re-re-read this book. Absolutely amazingly empowering.
Take love
November 9, 2022
I started reading this book a few years back, and never finished it for whatever reason.
This is not so much a book of poetry. It is more accurately, a book of prose. Full of words and sentence fragments.
This book has a powerful and wildly feminist voice. The stories told throughout are about love, sexuality and things the author dislikes. There are also many poems that read like rants.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was edgy and thought provoking.
This is not so much a book of poetry. It is more accurately, a book of prose. Full of words and sentence fragments.
This book has a powerful and wildly feminist voice. The stories told throughout are about love, sexuality and things the author dislikes. There are also many poems that read like rants.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was edgy and thought provoking.
October 30, 2018
I wept openly reading this - more than once. Like the best of the beats, Robinson has a beautiful, uncanny way of capturing the human experience and all of its intangible feeling. For anyone who has known love, loss, insecurity, and ultimately self-acceptance, I cannot recommend this book enough. 5/5
June 19, 2019
Janne has a very powerful voice, but her collection of poems are a bit hypocritical.
Some of the poems had me in tears, while others were so tantrum-like that I almost set the book down.
This book is similar to some, as a woman, I think the majority of us have read: angsty, and so full of anger (understandably).
Some of the poems had me in tears, while others were so tantrum-like that I almost set the book down.
This book is similar to some, as a woman, I think the majority of us have read: angsty, and so full of anger (understandably).
February 20, 2022
Not a bad book of poetry about women's sexuality, friendship and anger. The poems are simplistic and don't dig very deep.
It's clearly written by a woman much younger than I am. I had a hazy smile on my face reading the verses, remembering what it was like to be young, single and hormonally charged. It reminded me how pleasant an inner life can be post-menopause.
It's clearly written by a woman much younger than I am. I had a hazy smile on my face reading the verses, remembering what it was like to be young, single and hormonally charged. It reminded me how pleasant an inner life can be post-menopause.
February 10, 2018
A collection of poems about "real" experiences and thoughts.Forget the sugar coated thoughts and ideas society wants us to go by-she breaks down the gingerbread house walls and tells us like it is(from her mind and experiences).A definitely good read and we are asking for more.
January 20, 2020
I am a woman whose fucks are below the required number and so...... Some poems resonated with me on a personal level, some were reread, those that I didn't resonate with are still written beautifully!! This is art. This art is brilliant.
More like 4.5 stars. I recommend.
More like 4.5 stars. I recommend.
October 10, 2020
The amount of times I've balled my eyes out from passion and relatability to the words on almost every page - LOVED IT - and will continue to have love for this collection of poetry until the end of time.
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