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ashlikes's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Body shaming
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Vomit, Fatphobia, Body horror, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Misogyny, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, and Sexism
kgsavella's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
2.5
By all accounts, I should have loved this book. Themes of complicated relationship dynamics, class differences, body image and food, a complicated female protagonist. But this really fell flat for me. It seemed like the author was trying really hard to make this “literary” in style, but the “hunger/food as metaphor for female deprivation as adherence to convention/desire” was somehow both too heavy-handed and not grotesque enough. think this novel either needed to be way weirder or a lot more subtle/finessed. As others have mentioned, I felt a lot of the characters felt a bit flat and many of the relationships weren’t fleshed out (ie with Franny, Darren, Tori, Margot, even Kit). This resulted in the commentary only going an inch deep. Maybe it’s just me, but everything somehow felt predictable and like we were being spoon fed the conclusions by the author.
Also, there’s a lot of underlying fatphobia that I don’t think is ever really adequately addressed or deconstructed, and at the end of the day, the thin beautiful white woman remains a thin beautiful white woman, just one who isn’t quite as thin as she wanted to be.
Tl;dr is that I liked the concept, but the execution felt underdeveloped and predictable. It was engaging but much less thought provoking that I hoped.
Also, there’s a lot of underlying fatphobia that I don’t think is ever really adequately addressed or deconstructed, and at the end of the day, the thin beautiful white woman remains a thin beautiful white woman, just one who isn’t quite as thin as she wanted to be.
Tl;dr is that I liked the concept, but the execution felt underdeveloped and predictable. It was engaging but much less thought provoking that I hoped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Eating disorder
beeeenerys's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Overall I enjoyed the book, I resonated in part with the MC. She has spent her life policing herself to the comfort and convenience of others, literally squeezing herself into a shape she wasn't made for and yet she is the one who's made responsible. Her parent's bought her a dress that doesn't fit her yet it's her fault for not fasting when she can't put it on herself, her husband did something to break her trust in the relationship yet it's her who tries to stay because according to her MIL "marriage is a commitment". But when she attempts to do something right by herself the first thing she thinks of is public scrutiny and embarrassment and that thought process is very real.
I'm of two mind that we didn't find out what her husband did, on one hand I appreciate that this is P's story and he does not matter in the slightest, on the other hand I'm nosey and I'm a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't find out.
I'm of two mind that we didn't find out what her husband did, on one hand I appreciate that this is P's story and he does not matter in the slightest, on the other hand I'm nosey and I'm a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't find out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Vomit, Eating disorder, and Classism
jorozyckirva's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
While this book was well written, it was hard to read the blatant fatphobia from the characters. While that likely was the point of the author’s, I found it difficult to read at times. The description of cooking and food was phenomenal, though by the end, I was bored and would often skip those passages.
I’m actually glad the author never revealed Kit’s secret. I thought that was an excellent plot device.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Vomit
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Piglet is a deeply insecure woman who lets her life be dictated by the expectations of those around her... Until she gradually stops and it all comes crashing down. For much of her story, Piglet is honestly quite the unlikeable doormat. But as readers gain insight into the toxic relationships in her life, Piglet's personality makes sense. By the end of the novel, I found myself happily cheering for Piglet.
Overall, this is very much a "good for her" novel that fits firmly in the women's rage subgenre of contemporary fiction. If that's something you like, you'll definitely enjoy getting to know Piglet!
Overall, this is very much a "good for her" novel that fits firmly in the women's rage subgenre of contemporary fiction. If that's something you like, you'll definitely enjoy getting to know Piglet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia
farrahwho's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Eating disorder
Minor: Pregnancy and Infidelity
bronwyningoldsby's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Eating disorder
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
mandi_lea's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Grief, Gaslighting, Classism, Eating disorder, Alcohol, and Pregnancy
carolinamoon's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
"How could this have happened to her? She had been so careful to follow the rules, to build her life with Kit so meticulously."
"What a beautiful, fucking mess." A truly satisfying critique of class and the idea of perfect coupledom.
This novel was fully engrossing to me. I had to set a timer if i was reading this on a break, otherwise I'd lose track of time. The physical descriptions of anxiety and discomfort in one's body were relatable. The detail with food was enough to make one salivate. I could tell this writer really loves creating food and the presentation of dishes for family and friends. That mixed with the common bullying people experience during childhood from their family over loving food "too much," hence the protagonist's nickname Piglet, shows up in this novel. If someone had some issues with E.D., I would warn them this book might not be a fun read for them.
"What a beautiful, fucking mess." A truly satisfying critique of class and the idea of perfect coupledom.
This novel was fully engrossing to me. I had to set a timer if i was reading this on a break, otherwise I'd lose track of time. The physical descriptions of anxiety and discomfort in one's body were relatable. The detail with food was enough to make one salivate. I could tell this writer really loves creating food and the presentation of dishes for family and friends. That mixed with the common bullying people experience during childhood from their family over loving food "too much," hence the protagonist's nickname Piglet, shows up in this novel. If someone had some issues with E.D., I would warn them this book might not be a fun read for them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Eating disorder
rebeccadiv's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really, really enjoyed this book. I ended up reading it in a little over 24 hours and found myself wanting to come back to it after I'd put it down. I felt the tension and the anxiety as the book continued and definitely think this book deserves higher ratings than it has right now!
Unrelated to the content of the book but still important, I found the hardcover to be the perfect size and weight 😂
Unrelated to the content of the book but still important, I found the hardcover to be the perfect size and weight 😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexism