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rachelemm's review
5.0
I am delighted to report that I loved this this little book! I requested a copy on Netgalley on a complete whim looking for something short to read on a topic that seemed interesting. I was rewarded with an intelligent, fresh exploration of our relationship with fat.
I was intrigued to learn that fat has not always been treated as the enemy of good health with medics of ages gone by often seeing it as a sign of wealth and access to food rather than something to be warded off like an evil spirit.
The distinction between the fat in our foods and the fat on our bodies was also interesting; I didn't know that fat, depending on where it is on your body, could be different colours for example.
With so much written about ways to get rid of body fat and cut fat out of your diet, it was refreshing to read something that took a more forgiving view of fat, treating it as any other substance to be studied and understood and not feared.
I particularly enjoyed the section on fat and race with black and fat being conflated together to become something to be disgusted by and avoided. I was interested as well to read how differently fat men and fat women are viewed in the world with one subject of the book preferring to start treatment to go from being a fat woman to being a fat man just so they could exist in this world as a fat person in peace!
I would highly recommend this short but fascinating read, you will almost certainly learn something new and maybe be kinder to those love handles after reading it.
I was intrigued to learn that fat has not always been treated as the enemy of good health with medics of ages gone by often seeing it as a sign of wealth and access to food rather than something to be warded off like an evil spirit.
The distinction between the fat in our foods and the fat on our bodies was also interesting; I didn't know that fat, depending on where it is on your body, could be different colours for example.
With so much written about ways to get rid of body fat and cut fat out of your diet, it was refreshing to read something that took a more forgiving view of fat, treating it as any other substance to be studied and understood and not feared.
I particularly enjoyed the section on fat and race with black and fat being conflated together to become something to be disgusted by and avoided. I was interested as well to read how differently fat men and fat women are viewed in the world with one subject of the book preferring to start treatment to go from being a fat woman to being a fat man just so they could exist in this world as a fat person in peace!
I would highly recommend this short but fascinating read, you will almost certainly learn something new and maybe be kinder to those love handles after reading it.
thewoollygeek's review
4.0
A really I interesting selection of essays and thoughts on the topic of fat, unbiased it looks at it from both sides. It’s social implications, the need biologically, it’s a fantastic look and the issues and very thought provoking
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
sharondblk's review
4.0
In this slim volume Hannah Blank covers a lot of ground, from the personal and her relationship to her fat body, the history of fat and the racist past (and present) sexual fetishisation, fat in food and on.The story of fat is told through a political, feminist, economic and gender lens. While I definitly learnt some things there is so much serious material to cover and this is a small book. Each chapter could be an entire PHD, but it serves as an interesting taster.
Thanks to NetGalley for the preview copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the preview copy.
remedialqueer's review
5.0
As usual, Hanne writes in a way that is accessible for those new to a concept while still be enlightening for those familiar with the field. The last chapter is particularly lovely from start to finish.
charlottelucyloves's review
5.0
This is one of the best Non fiction books I have read this year. I would say I, as a fat woman, am fairly well read when it comes to body positivity, health at every size and fat politics, but this book was just something else. Almost half literary prose and half political I feel the need to read this again and again. Theres lots to let sink in about this book! I think I need to now get all of the authors backlist!
nickikendall's review
3.0
⭐⭐⭐Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. This book is a short, thought provoking and interesting read on the topic of fat. It's not your typical book about the negativities of fat nor is it your typical body positive book on fat. Instead it explores what fat is, both from positive and negative perspectives. It covers things from people's inherent dislike/fears of fat, to others love/fetishness over fat. It definitely leaves you looking at the word fat and all its connations in a very different way. #fat #hanneblank #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #litsy #bookstagram #bookqueen #netgalley #amazonkindle
charlotte_booksandbargains's review
5.0
This is one of the best Non fiction books I have read this year. I would say I, as a fat woman, am fairly well read when it comes to body positivity, health at every size and fat politics, but this book was just something else. Almost half literary prose and half political I feel the need to read this again and again. Theres lots to let sink in about this book! I think I need to now get all of the authors backlist!
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