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miayukino's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
After avidly listening to Maintenance Phase, hearing Aubrey Gordon lay down the facts on anti fat bias without the ironic interjections of Michael Hobbes talking about “skinny shaming,” and subsequently getting fired by Gordon, is different but of course a welcome different. Aubrey Gordon is an organizer for our times and this has been a great jumping off point from Maintenance Phase into other fat liberationist media. I appreciate that Gordon always makes room to emphasize intersectionality and the importance of continuing reading the works of fat authors in various genres and especially of multiple marginalizations. I put every book recommended in my TBR and I can’t wait to check them out! Very excited to watch Your Fat Friend, as well.
Overall, I had a some good moments for discomfort and several points of confrontation with my biases. Particularly appreciate the emphasis on no longer using “phobia” to describe forms of bigotry. That makes so much sense and I will be factoring that into my vocabulary.
Overall, I had a some good moments for discomfort and several points of confrontation with my biases. Particularly appreciate the emphasis on no longer using “phobia” to describe forms of bigotry. That makes so much sense and I will be factoring that into my vocabulary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
anaiira's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.5
I really appreciate Ms. Gordon's attention to inclusivity, and also the suggestions for further readings! This particular book and writing style is intentionally direct, didactic, and straightforward, and I think a plurality of perspectives and writing styles will provide a more well rounded insight. As other reviewers have said, great primer, reminder, and a challenge to resist anti-fat oppression.
My only criticism would be that Ms. Gordon writes about the intersectionality of anti-queer/poc/woman and anti-fat bias, which I think is important to acknowledge, but she consistently writes about how anti-fatness is rooted in racism and misogynoir and she does not really go into sufficient detail. I know she's trying to ground and root this book in her own experiences, but for a book so well cited and thoroughly explained, this is an unfortunate area that feels lacking to me. A couple of paragraphs offering further reading feels insufficient to me.
My only criticism would be that Ms. Gordon writes about the intersectionality of anti-queer/poc/woman and anti-fat bias, which I think is important to acknowledge, but she consistently writes about how anti-fatness is rooted in racism and misogynoir and she does not really go into sufficient detail. I know she's trying to ground and root this book in her own experiences, but for a book so well cited and thoroughly explained, this is an unfortunate area that feels lacking to me. A couple of paragraphs offering further reading feels insufficient to me.
alyssathinkstoomuch's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This is an excellent primer. So clearly and compellingly written, with a good balance of science and personal anecdotes. However, if you are further along in your journey of learning about and challenging your biases, there probably will not be new information in here for you (this goes double if you listen to Maintenance Phase).
jennnafziger's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic look at anti-fat bias and discrimination! Aubrey Gordon always approaches this topic with passion, but also well-researched facts. This book can be read all in one sitting, or chapter by chapter over time. There is a lot of really important stuff in here that will help people unlearn their body prejudices and encourage them to advocate for ethical treatment for all bodies.
lizee59402's review against another edition
5.0
I love Aubrey Gordon for so many reasons. Her reporting and research for this book is superb. I’ve been waiting to read this and it doesn’t disappoint. Gordon provides opportunities for reflection after each chapter/myth with questions and what to do when facing anti-fat bias. Our implicit biases must be checked and evaluated. Highly recommend.
tas_takes_down_the_man's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Wish I had this damn book when I was writing my master’s thesis! Very informative and validating.
hexedmaiden's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this book. While I have come a long way in my life as a fat person and having been so a vast majority of my life, there was still so much in this book that I took away. I feel like this another book that I would say that everyone needs to read. It doesn't matter if you're fat, average, or skinny, everyone could learn something from this book. Because fatphobia doesn't just have an affect on fat people, fatphobia hurts everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Medical trauma, Ableism, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Homophobia
quasinaut's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I appreciated Aubrey Gordon as author and narrator for the audiobook.
My biggest complaint: I'm not sure who the audience is. If you already recognize the harm of antifatness (or listen to Maintenance Phase), some sections might help you reflect deeper, but overall you'll already be familiar with the content. If you don't - or you're someone new to the idea of fat activism - then I'm not sure this book is written in a way that will change your mind. The book is repetitive at times - perhaps as a way to try to convince readers who need these points to be driven home again and again for them to start sinking in - but I'm not sure that repetition alone is enough to be convincing.
My biggest complaint: I'm not sure who the audience is. If you already recognize the harm of antifatness (or listen to Maintenance Phase), some sections might help you reflect deeper, but overall you'll already be familiar with the content. If you don't - or you're someone new to the idea of fat activism - then I'm not sure this book is written in a way that will change your mind. The book is repetitive at times - perhaps as a way to try to convince readers who need these points to be driven home again and again for them to start sinking in - but I'm not sure that repetition alone is enough to be convincing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism and Eating disorder