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shelbyjo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
I loved this book. The cover is a little deceiving...it gives me a light easy vibe. However, a lot of it was actually pretty sad and heavy (I hate using that word in this situation, no pun intended at all... Just all of the other words I tried using didn't convey the correct feeling). 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. It's so true that something so as small to you could be EVERYTHING to someone else. You never know the impact you can truly make on a person.
I listened to the audio and loved the narrators. It was long (over 15 hours) but totally worth it.
I listened to the audio and loved the narrators. It was long (over 15 hours) but totally worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Death of parent
falon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
I would first like to call attention to criticisms of this novel; mainly, that the fat rep within this novel is offensive and perpetuates harmful stereotypes against fat people. I am not in the position to state whether the fat rep in this novel is offensive, or to absolve the author of any wrongdoing. Fatphobia is pervasive within our society and listening to the voices affected by fatphobia is essential to having productive conversation. We must start centering fat people within discussions of fatphobia.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Grief