Although she claims this book “isn’t my autobiography. I will write one of those when I’m ninety….” Amy Schumer has compiled a collection of very personal, extremely candid essays about her life, her family and, well, yeah, her vagina. (But come on, tell me you didn’t see that coming?!) In THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO, Schumer lets loose with her thoughts on dating, comedy, drinking, bad boyfriends, self-esteem and career, all told through the prism of lessons she HAS learned the hard way. The hardworking comedian/writer/actor details life growing up in the suburbs of Long Island with her supportive, slightly unconventional parents, and her brother and sister, all of whom she enjoys close relationships with and clearly adores.

But you don’t mine comedy gold like Schumer has without having some tough stuff in your past. Schumer is painfully honest (almost cringeworthily so) about her father’s M.S., her mother’s affair with her best friend’s dad, which ended her parents’ marriage, abusive relationships she’s had and admittedly stayed in too long, and her years of blackout drinking, which she has greatly curtailed since her college days. How can someone describe all this dark stuff and still make it palatable and funny? That’s Schumer’s charm. She can relate the most embarrassing story of humiliation and degradation, and instead of slamming the book in horror, you feel for her and find yourself trying to relate to even the most outrageous of her antics.

"Schumer’s book sets itself apart with its brutal honesty and no-nonsense approach to comedy, showing an unexpected side to this hilariously funny performer."

When recounting the not-so-romantic experience of losing her virginity, or how she put up with an abusive boyfriend for far too long, Schumer acknowledges her mistakes and flaws, stressing that she’s human, a work in progress, while also conveying to the reader, “Hey, learn from my mistakes. Value yourself more.” After politely suffering through a horrendous date set up for her by a professional matchmaker, Schumer’s self-esteem takes a hit when her inappropriate date (who was in his 50s, talked only about himself, was overweight, and wore a leather vest and a shark-tooth necklace; in other words, no prize himself) expressed relief when he met her, saying, “You are really cute. The matchmaker said you were, quote, ‘no model,’ but I think she’s wrong,” assuaging his own ego, but rattling her own.

Experiences like this one make Schumer want to shout from the rooftops to women everywhere, “Love yourself! You don’t need a man or a boy or a self-proclaimed love expert to tell you what you’re worth. Your power comes from who you are and what you do. You don’t need all that noise, that constant hum in the background telling you whether or not you’re good enough. All you need is you, your friends, and your family.”

And when she’s called on the carpet for her weight or looks, being deemed “plus size” on the cover of a magazine, Schumer pleads for change: “Let’s see some ass up there. And not just during the specially themed ‘plus-size show.’ We girls over size 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16…we don’t want a special day, we want every day, and we want you to get out of our f*cking way because we are already here! You are living in the past, all you dated, strange magazines representing the weird fashion world that presents bizarre clothing that no one I have ever met wears…. You can’t shame or label us anymore. Join us instead --- and EVOLVE FASTER so we can all work together!”

In an age when pundits freely comment on Hillary Clinton’s looks or choice of wardrobe, and young girls idolize the Kardashians instead of their moms, we need more women speaking out and saying, ‘Nope! No more. Your outrageous beauty standards don’t define me. I define me.’ 

One of the most engaging portions of this collection is the part that Schumer takes completely seriously --- her love of comedy and her unshakeable work ethic. She writes fondly of the many hours, weeks and years spent on the road, getting a few minutes onstage so she can hone her act, the horrible motels, the judgment of other comics, the time spent away from friends and loved ones --- all of this Schumer is truly grateful for and enjoys the good with the bad. It’s the only way to get better at your craft. Despite her success in TV and film, she still tries to make time to get up in front of an audience to try out new material, and feels like this will always be part of her life. You can see clearly Schumer’s hardcore work ethic shining through.

THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO can certainly be compared to recent books like Tina Fey’s BOSSYPANTS, Amy Poehler’s YES PLEASE and Lena Dunham’s NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL. With amusing accounts of growing up awkward, making peace with your wilder days, and trying to carve out your niche in a male-dominated world (P.S.: Don’t ask Schumer if it’s a “great time for women in Hollywood.” First of all, it isn’t. Secondly, would you ask Seth Rogen that?), Schumer’s book sets itself apart with its brutal honesty and no-nonsense approach to comedy, showing an unexpected side to this hilariously funny performer.