tabbythereader's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tayoreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
its_not_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
claresojourner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
justcrystalxo's review against another edition
2.0
the author is definitely working through some things. a relationship or two. but its so realistically real.
its almost like a diary/ journal/ blog.
having been the fat girl.. to a less fat girl.. (and then back up some) can i just say its nice to hear someone else thinking the same way.. tho its sad but its hard.
in the beginning i was really annoyed by the stereotypical fat girl things because shes the fat girl... but for real people think like that.
its almost like a diary/ journal/ blog.
having been the fat girl.. to a less fat girl.. (and then back up some) can i just say its nice to hear someone else thinking the same way.. tho its sad but its hard.
in the beginning i was really annoyed by the stereotypical fat girl things because shes the fat girl... but for real people think like that.
kristenpoel's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cyenny's review against another edition
3.0
This is a tough one to review, on one hand it was so well written and poignant, but on the other hand, the storyline itself is rather unpleasant. It feels like seeing a gruesome video or bad car accident on the road, it is difficult to look at but you just can't peel your eyes away.
Tells the story of Elizabeth/Lizzie/Beth from 13 different vignettes, most from her own perspective but some from the people around her. The first vignette made me question the book, but once I got past that and onto the next ones I couldn't stop reading. The protagonist Elizabeth is a plus-sized girl with horrible self-esteem and so much anger for the world. I feel sorry for her but also I feel like I can't empathize with her and justify all the anger and insecurities.
Tells the story of Elizabeth/Lizzie/Beth from 13 different vignettes, most from her own perspective but some from the people around her. The first vignette made me question the book, but once I got past that and onto the next ones I couldn't stop reading. The protagonist Elizabeth is a plus-sized girl with horrible self-esteem and so much anger for the world. I feel sorry for her but also I feel like I can't empathize with her and justify all the anger and insecurities.
leahhateshardbacks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After reading the very hyped Bunny and being disappointed a couple of years ago, I've always been hesitant to pick up another Mona Awad - even in the midst of her intriguing-sounding recent releases - because I'd convinced myself that I just simply /didn't get her/. But this. This, I get. 13 vignettes from Liz/Elizabeth/Beth's life, from teenager to adult, exploring the way she feels about her fat body and the things people want/expect from her (and what they think she is not allowed to do) as a fat woman.
•
This is a dark book and one I think, from what I can tell, is written from experience. This would be a hard read if you are in a difficult place with your body because Elizabeth certainly is and it's heartbreaking, frustrating, and claustrophobic; sometimes it feels like the saturation of negativity is creeping its way off the page and onto your hands, up to your own mind. When you have such an intense negative body image like that, it is all-consuming. Everything relates back to your body. And even when you've got the body you thought you wanted, there's always still something to prove.
•
I seem to be in the minority for liking this book but I completely understand why people don't like it. Maybe you have to have had some of these experiences and thoughts for it to really slap. It forces you to have a different perspective on familiar thoughts - if someone said it about themselves you'd call them out on it but for whatever reason you think it's okay to say it to yourself. I've seen people say this is just hatred towards fat people but I don't think people understand that to love yourself unconditionally in a world that teaches you that you are inherently inferior because of the way you look (in whatever capacity) is extremely difficult. This book does not say that being thin is a solution.
•
While the main focus is on the character and how she feels about herself, there is exploration of what ideas the world puts onto her too. Pitied, fetishised, demonised, mocked, and later both lauded and spurned after losing weight.
•
I think the last scene is so powerful and so fitting. After the fire alarm goes off in the apartment building, Char and Elizabeth evacuate, only to see from outside that while the fire engines make their way to the building, someone is still on the elliptical in the apartment's gym.
•
This is a dark book and one I think, from what I can tell, is written from experience. This would be a hard read if you are in a difficult place with your body because Elizabeth certainly is and it's heartbreaking, frustrating, and claustrophobic; sometimes it feels like the saturation of negativity is creeping its way off the page and onto your hands, up to your own mind. When you have such an intense negative body image like that, it is all-consuming. Everything relates back to your body. And even when you've got the body you thought you wanted, there's always still something to prove.
•
I seem to be in the minority for liking this book but I completely understand why people don't like it. Maybe you have to have had some of these experiences and thoughts for it to really slap. It forces you to have a different perspective on familiar thoughts - if someone said it about themselves you'd call them out on it but for whatever reason you think it's okay to say it to yourself. I've seen people say this is just hatred towards fat people but I don't think people understand that to love yourself unconditionally in a world that teaches you that you are inherently inferior because of the way you look (in whatever capacity) is extremely difficult. This book does not say that being thin is a solution.
Spoiler
Elizabeth loses weight, she has the body she has always wanted, and not only does she still have negative thoughts towards her body, but she can't comprehend when people are fat and happy.•
While the main focus is on the character and how she feels about herself, there is exploration of what ideas the world puts onto her too. Pitied, fetishised, demonised, mocked, and later both lauded and spurned after losing weight.
•
Spoiler
I think the last scene is so powerful and so fitting. After the fire alarm goes off in the apartment building, Char and Elizabeth evacuate, only to see from outside that while the fire engines make their way to the building, someone is still on the elliptical in the apartment's gym.