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A review by nolawords
The Thick and the Lean by Chana Porter
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This is one of the most unique storylines I have read for some time. Chana Porter creates a dystopian world (one that is almost frighteningly clear to imagine) that entwines the extremes of capitalism, climate crisis, socioeconomic inequity, and religious fervor based around physical form (i.e. thinness).
I enjoyed the parallel stories that followed Beatrice and Reiko - two women born in the "lower" tiers of this world, who each ascend (literally) in attempt to find themselves and their own lives of success. The way their stories progressed and closed in paradoxical ways - and the satisfying way they actually cross paths - was a lovely way to lay out this narrative. This book is layered and complex; I will be thinking about it for a long while to come.
I enjoyed the parallel stories that followed Beatrice and Reiko - two women born in the "lower" tiers of this world, who each ascend (literally) in attempt to find themselves and their own lives of success. The way their stories progressed and closed in paradoxical ways - and the satisfying way they actually cross paths - was a lovely way to lay out this narrative. This book is layered and complex; I will be thinking about it for a long while to come.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol