Book Review: Girls Gone Wise by Mary Kassian
Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild profiles the crafty seduct*ress of Proverbs 7. Written by Mary Kassian, professor of Women’s Studies at SBTS, the book highlights twenty points of contrast between the Proverbs 7 woman – the “girl gone wild” – and a godly woman, or “girl gone wise.”
I enjoyed this fresh take on the study of Christian womanhood. Mary Kassian writes in an easy-to-read, down-to-earth style. While she does speculate on some parts of the Proverbs 7 story to make her points, the book as a whole is well-grounded in the text and references Scriptures from all over the Bible.
I think this book is also widely applicable. It speaks strongly to a promiscuous S*ex and the City lifestyle – but it’s most focused on the heart and the motives that drive us; a few of the topics addressed are focus, body language, boundaries, possessions, entitlement, and speech.
The most helpful points of contrast for me were habits and neediness. On habits: “Just because a woman stays at home physically does not necessarily mean she is attending to her household. She could be procrastinating, self-indulging, and living an undisciplined life just as much as the woman who is always out and about” (p. 76).
On neediness: “(The girl gone wise) sends her roots deep into God’s stream to meet her emotional needs. She does not demand emotional satisfaction from people” (p. 186).
I must mention a feature of the book I didn’t like very well – its marketing. My husband and one of his friends both mentioned that the title was a little too reminiscent of the secular brand it is contrasting. And my husband and I both said that the cover seems more seduct*ive than godly.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed Girls Gone Wise. I think it would be great to study with a friend or small group. Mary Kassian is doing regular video blogs of each chapter at the Girls Gone Wise website; they’re a great addition to the book. It’s a real-life study with application to many areas of our lives as Christian women.
One of the things I really appreciated when I was reading “Girls Gone Wise” was the fresh insights Mrs Kassian draws out of the text of the Bible. I have a bunch of books about biblical womanhood (er … over 20) and I sort of wondered if “GGW” was going to make all the “usual” points in different words. I love how Mrs Kassian had NEW thoughts to share – but thoughts grounded in the Bible.
I found the chapter about entitlement especially interesting.
Oh … and I’m with you on the point of the cover. I don’t like it either! But, then, I’m a Jane Austen sort of girl and like my books to have beautiful covers! 
I enjoyed reading your review!
I truly appreciate your review. And yes, the header is my daughter, she’s delightful. I want to raise her up in a godly manner!
I love this book! I remember waiting for it to come out, and when it did, I think I read it only a couple days. I couldn’t put it down! 
I just started reading this book. I’m just on the first contrast, but I really do like what Mary Kassian is saying. Hopefully, I can do a small group on it after I’m done. But for now, it’s just me and my blog. Good review.