Reviews tagging 'Fatphobia'

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann

32 reviews

brooke_city's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

TW for pill addiction, suicide

This was pretty progressive for a novel written in the 60s. With the emergence of women's lib, women wrestled for control of their lives. Yes, there's cattiness and drama, but also important themes.

Helen was the most feminist leaning. She works hard to afford the life of luxury she wants, and she isn't afraid to be forthcoming about wanting men for sex. And of course, everyone labeled her as "difficult."

Anne started out firm, but became a doormat for Lyon. For why. What did he bring to her life. Girl stand up!

Jennifer's is perhaps the most tragic. There's a scene in which she is sexually assaulted while on the phone with Anne. Though, in the 60s, it wouldn't have been seen that way. She later has an abortion bc her husband has a mental illness that can be passed on genetically. She also discovers she has polyps on her ovaries, and a malignant tumor on her breast. She commits suicide. All important issues for a novel in the 60s, although a lot for 1 character.

Neely struggles with addiction, overdosing, and spends time in rehab.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Addiction

Moderate: Abortion and Suicide

Minor: Fatphobia

robyn1998's review against another edition

dark funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I'm glad I read this, but if I ever read the trigger warnings I would've left it alone. There's an enormous amount of diet talk, specific weights (some of which were a bit too real for me), ED behaviour and so on. Not to mention the fatphobia and dehumanisation of women. 
That being said, it's 4 stars because it was somehow so entertaining. I just couldn't put it down. It was like a time capsule and I love that in a book, especially when it's set in the US in the middle of the 20th century. Makes me want to read more Truman Capote books. I liked the characterisations, even though the characters themselves were mostly horrible.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Classism, Body shaming, Abortion, Homophobia, Misogyny, Addiction, Fatphobia, and Drug use

encsooo's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Fatphobia

autumnn_96's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Ok so this has been my absolute FAVORITE book I've read all year! When you understand the history of cinema and how people became stars, this book will really engage you. And I really enjoyed the fact that the ending is not cookie cutter, but very real. Sex, love and drugs.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Homophobia

Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts

talia1007's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Drug abuse

Lots of discussion of body image. Lots of drug use

hannahibalecter's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

might eventually change the review to 4.75….but why does no one talk about this book being structured like a greek tragedy? bleak. absolutely bleak. 

if you hated the characters and then gave the book a poor review, i fear you missed the point. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt

alpal_collective's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Suicide, Addiction, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Homophobia and Alcoholism

noshinbean's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Lesbophobia, and Mental illness

Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Cancer, Grief, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Abortion, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

chrisp189's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Abortion, Drug use, Eating disorder, Addiction, Fatphobia, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicide, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship

jupitervivienne's review against another edition

dark slow-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

3.5

Like reality tv in book form. It’s not a piece of outstanding writing or anything, but with all the stereotypical scandalous Hollywood tropes it’s a fun read. Heavy on the offensive content that makes it clear it’s from the 60s, though at some point you just accept everyone and everything being awful and ride it out. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Rape

Moderate: Ableism, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Racism