This book went from hilarious and shocking to sad and shocking. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. But by the time you're finished, although the narrator is still light and funny, you come to realise how hard Victorian Women had it. 
 But starting from the beginning. Victorians were gross! I, for one, I'm that kind of girl that loves to look at Victorian dresses and has romanticised about it a little. I know the 19th century was the worst, I mean, I knew. But this book answered to questions that I hadn't even thought about. I had never thought how those ladies went to the bathroom, or how they dealt with their period. 
 I liked how the book flows. It makes sense, the way the author jumps from subject to subject but making it very natural. So we go from how you would get dressed in the morning to how you'd pee, and the bath, and then style your hair and use beauty products, to how to catch a man, the weeding night, to then get to how to be a good wife and run a household, and that would drive you to hysteria (wouldn't it?). The fact that it is not written just as a non-fiction book about Victorian Etiquette (you know what I mean, when they just tell you facts and quotes), but it's written as an actual manual a modern woman should need if she finds herself in that Era all of a sudden, makes it hilarious. The author talks directly to you, and teaches you how to be a Victorian lady. "Forget everything you know, stuff yourself into a corset and play dumb for the rest of your life if you want to make it here, sweetie" is basically what Oneill tells you. I've learnt so much; things I didn't know I wanted to learn and things I wish I could unlearn -- how to remove a tapeworm. 
 Next time a girl tells me how romantic and virtuous the Victorians were, I'm gonna punch her in the face. I wanna punch in the face my fifteen year-old self. If your answer to "to what era would you travel in time?" is the 19th century, you're screwed, missy. 
 Read this book. It's funny, it's informative and at the end of the day it will make you think both how far we've come and how we have not. (view spoiler)[ I'm referring to the walking-alone-in-the-streets-advice: 
 "If they persist, she should tell them in a brief and firm, thought polite tone, that she desires to be left to herself. If a man follow her in silence, she should pretend no to perceive him, and at the same time, hasten a little her step." (this is a quote in the book) 
 ""You were mistreated? Well, what were you wearing?" That old cliche is not a disgusting relic of primitive misogyny in this century. It is very real. You must be beyond reproach in your modest attire, your quiet and dignified manner, and even the carefully balanced facial expressions you show." 
 Sounds familiar? Yeah, I thought so. (hide spoiler)] 
 And I'm not even going to talk about asylums. Or Dr. Kellogg for that matter -- that rant was spot on. 
 However, this is a very enjoyable read. Especially if you have already an interest and have read about -- other not so up close and personal-- books in the Victorian Era. And the annotations below the pictures are the best. 
 Ps: Do not suck your umbrella.