Reviews

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

folkloriannina's review

1.0

DNF
Das Buch sollte eigentlich über Bodypositivity sein, aber das war es absolut nicht.

meganeorcx's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

There was a lot I liked about this but just as much I didn't. I love fat representation and although it wasn't always positive or empowering here, I still appreciated it. I found Willowdean an interesting and somewhat relatable character but I think the story itself fell flat. It didn't seem to know where it was going and too much was going on at once. The beauty peagant entry felt like a second thought and some parts of the story were completely disregarded for too long at a time. It doesn't help that I despised the romance but that might have been a personal preference. I was going insane having to listen to Bo say Willowdean's name so often, it's fair to say I was rooting for someone else. Still, I had a lot of fun with this, both better and worse than I'd expected. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia

sprainedbrain's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

susannaopal's review

3.0

3.5/5. The first book I have listened to as an audio in years...which is not usually my favorite way to "read" a book. I enjoyed the overall story, the characters sometimes felt a little flat but overall I would recommend and wonder if reading it would have changed my perspective.

readingwithgee_'s review

4.0

I love love loved this book! Such a funny, fantastic read, got me straight out of the reading slump I've been stuck in! Such fun, many laughs and so much dolly Parton, I love it!
More in depth review here! https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com
INCLUDES SOME SLIGHT SPOILERS!

walton_pelkey's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

lucyinwonderland's review

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

burstnwithbooks's review

4.0

I loved this! I thought that Willowdean's perspective was very real and I loved how brutally honest she was about everything. I loved her relationship with her best friend, all of the things about her job, relationships with her mom, aunt, boss, sorta boyfriend, you get the picture. I guess I just really appreciated Willowdean as a character. She was very real to me and I really felt for her along every step of the way. And the whole beauty queen plot was genius. I loved that group of girls and there were some genuine laugh-out-loud moments for me in this book. I LOVE THEM ALL OKAY. Fantastic.

librarianmillie's review

4.0

A fat girl that loves Dolly Parton and wants to be in pageants, how could I not love this book? This was a delightful and endearing read. I think all fat girls will relate to Willowdean on some level. I was more mouthy and brooding as a teen, but I was definitely hanging out with drag queens. I am so glad I made myself go back and read this one.

e99a_j9y's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0