linzozil's review against another edition
Graphic: Grief, Body shaming, Death, and Eating disorder
If you’re overweight and struggle with self image, this may not be the book for you. I didn’t make it halfway through.reading4enjoyment's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Death
scruffycat's review against another edition
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
zoe_sass's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Gun violence
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The rest of the novel alternates between Marley and Georgia, and includes a few of Emerson's journal entries. The women go on a journey of self-acceptance and self-discovery. They learn how to cope with trauma and heart break. They learn how to take responsibility and when to realize that the blame isn't entirely on them. They seek balance, and, through trial and error, eventually find it.
The book is realistic, and often painful. You really feel for the characters, even when you don't agree with them. I knew I was hooked when I found myself talking back to the page and giving my advice as if they could hear me, as if they were my friends.
Though the book has some pretty heavy themes--pun not intended--it ultimately leaves the reader feeling hopeful and happy for the two women.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, and Incest
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Mass/school shootings
shelbyjo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
But so much of it was relatable in some ways, and I loved Marley & Georgia's journeys to true happiness and love (love from others and themselves). Emerson's storyline was heartbreaking, but I loved the good she did and how sweet and generous she was even after everything she had gone through.I listened to the audio and loved the narrators. It was long (over 15 hours) but totally worth it.
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Medical content, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
loveofabook's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Eating disorder
falon's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
That being said, I did enjoy this book. I quickly grew attached to the characters. The novel switches from Georgia and Marley's point of view, and sometimes shifts to Emerson's (although less frequently). It really pulls at your heart strings; I think everyone can relate to the way body image can control your self-esteem. I found myself really invested in their lives and grieving Emerson alongside Marley and Georgia as they try to understand her passing; I laughed when they laughed and cried when they cried. This was a well written book.
But I do have something to quibble about (which I guess actually affirms some of the criticism surrounding the book). Emerson's excerpts from the book were very powerful - you could really feel her loneliness; however, there were times when her perspective felt almost voyeuristic instead of personal. Like, the author was hammering home her weight, and how much she binged that day, and how she couldn't fit into certain places. The use of such facts felt very dehumanizing at times, like we're supposed to be repulsed by Emerson herself instead taking the time to understand the trauma that Emerson has and the situation she was in. I felt like sometimes it distracted from the real message Emerson wanted her friends to understand. I'm not saying that health should not be talked about at all but I think it distances Emerson from the important things: her lack of acceptance in society, her vulnerability to people who would take advantage of her, her isolation from people who genuinely loved her, and her own self-consciousness. I do think that it was an interesting look at diet culture, but I think the messaging got scrambled. It made her into a number, or worse some kind of over eating monster, which is definitely not what I think Higgins was going for.
I will be refraining from giving this a star rating.
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Grief