cnxnoname's review against another edition
5.0
Heavy. I don’t know how she wrote this. This book weighed on me because as a fat black woman— I feel like all our (fbw) comments are going to be the same in relation to this book.
It’s crazy that she was able to finish this book and put it out and go on a tour because how does one tour their diary?
You know when people say that someone who shares a traumatic experience is “brave” and it just causes other people to roll their eyes and be like what are these folks talking about.. Roxane Gay sharing this story defies bravery — it’s not even a strong enough word to describe the fucking courage here, her ability to be this candid. I don’t even know what to call it.
I know every experience described in this memoir way too intimately — the consultations, the running away, the promiscuity, the shame, the love and lack thereof (chapter 70), fake concern, real concern, exercising (Chapter 47), traveling (chapter 62), chairs, FUCKING CHAIRS (chapter 59) and the daily torture and torment.. I know all these experiences so intimately it was insane to read someone describe it so perfectly. I sent excerpts to my sister it was so damn heavy.
I want to thank Roxane for sharing what honestly I know so well but would have never thought anyone would have written down and put out there into the world for others to read. Roxane fucking transcends sharing real world truth into the truth TRUTH, the kind that we reserve for our pillows at night.
It’s crazy that she was able to finish this book and put it out and go on a tour because how does one tour their diary?
You know when people say that someone who shares a traumatic experience is “brave” and it just causes other people to roll their eyes and be like what are these folks talking about.. Roxane Gay sharing this story defies bravery — it’s not even a strong enough word to describe the fucking courage here, her ability to be this candid. I don’t even know what to call it.
I know every experience described in this memoir way too intimately — the consultations, the running away, the promiscuity, the shame, the love and lack thereof (chapter 70), fake concern, real concern, exercising (Chapter 47), traveling (chapter 62), chairs, FUCKING CHAIRS (chapter 59) and the daily torture and torment.. I know all these experiences so intimately it was insane to read someone describe it so perfectly. I sent excerpts to my sister it was so damn heavy.
I want to thank Roxane for sharing what honestly I know so well but would have never thought anyone would have written down and put out there into the world for others to read. Roxane fucking transcends sharing real world truth into the truth TRUTH, the kind that we reserve for our pillows at night.
sar_p's review against another edition
5.0
I'll add a review once I've processed, but just to say quickly that this is really really good. And important.
japamela's review against another edition
5.0
This was so good. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. I learned a lot from her story and really made me think.
leahthenerd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.75
rwaringcrane's review against another edition
4.0
A dear friend of mine died two years ago. I never learned the cause of death, but it was quite possibly related to her morbid obesity.
Reading Gay's memoir, I was overwhelmed by an acute awareness of of my own ignorance. I came away with a stark sense of how little I knew about my friend and the issues—emotional, experiential—that were part of the story of her body. No doubt my distress and distain, that surfaced from time to time, helped her keep her story to herself. Why trust such personal history to someone who doesn't affirm all of who you are?
Reading this book, I had to confront the truth that I carried, still carry, judgments and criticisms of "unruly bodies" that I've never questioned. Until now. The writing—vulnerable, thoughtful, honest—will continue to challenge me for some time to come.
Reading Gay's memoir, I was overwhelmed by an acute awareness of of my own ignorance. I came away with a stark sense of how little I knew about my friend and the issues—emotional, experiential—that were part of the story of her body. No doubt my distress and distain, that surfaced from time to time, helped her keep her story to herself. Why trust such personal history to someone who doesn't affirm all of who you are?
Reading this book, I had to confront the truth that I carried, still carry, judgments and criticisms of "unruly bodies" that I've never questioned. Until now. The writing—vulnerable, thoughtful, honest—will continue to challenge me for some time to come.
thevivifriend's review against another edition
4.0
Hard to disagree with someone's memoir. I enjoy how brutally honest it is. There where parts I didn't relate to and parts where I didn't see why she cares, like letting us know everytime someone is hot when they appear as a side character i.e doctors /firefighters. But I get that this is Roxane Gay's story, her perspective and things that remain in her memory from each important event in her life. I'm greatful we get such a raw insight into someone's mind.
It's the first time I read someone's memoir explicity describe their eating disorders and I really had my experience validated as an overweight person struggling with eating disorders. It isn't a self help book (nor does it claim to be) it doesn't offer solutions, we don't get answers. It's just I feel the same way and this is how it is, the end.
It's the first time I read someone's memoir explicity describe their eating disorders and I really had my experience validated as an overweight person struggling with eating disorders. It isn't a self help book (nor does it claim to be) it doesn't offer solutions, we don't get answers. It's just I feel the same way and this is how it is, the end.
cloudss's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
they changed BMI in 1998???? very very well written book about bodies and our connection to them. does discuss queerness and stoneness in an incredibly authentic way. want to read more by her