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louiselibrary's review against another edition
4.0
For starters, I found this book at my local GoodWill store. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I just happened to buy it on a whim. Anyways, back to the book, it was amazing and I can not fathom how I have not heard of it before (maybe because it was written in 1997, when I was only one year old?)
This book has my heart for many reasons.
1. It is so relate-able. From her sister's eating disorder to her need for a man's love it just hits home. Also, the idea of graduating college without having a job in your field is so very relevant to me and I just relate to her.
2. Frannie's personality is so upfront yet caring. She says so many things she shouldn't but I would rather read about a character who blurts things than a character to keeps her mouth closed.
3. Every single character is so relate-able. You want to cry when Frannie cries. You want to get angry when Shelly, her sister, gets angry. You want to hug her dad when he is upset. And you want to talk to Chubby, the counselor, because you feel like you are going through all the emotions that she is feeling.
Overall, this is a great book that I am so thankful I came across.
This book has my heart for many reasons.
1. It is so relate-able. From her sister's eating disorder to her need for a man's love it just hits home. Also, the idea of graduating college without having a job in your field is so very relevant to me and I just relate to her.
2. Frannie's personality is so upfront yet caring. She says so many things she shouldn't but I would rather read about a character who blurts things than a character to keeps her mouth closed.
3. Every single character is so relate-able. You want to cry when Frannie cries. You want to get angry when Shelly, her sister, gets angry. You want to hug her dad when he is upset. And you want to talk to Chubby, the counselor, because you feel like you are going through all the emotions that she is feeling.
Overall, this is a great book that I am so thankful I came across.
krpollard's review against another edition
2.0
I can see what Medoff was trying to do with the story, and there are some parts of an eating disorder and the psychology of the family that I found to be accurate and that kept me reading. However, the writing could have used some more polish -- too many inconsistencies in characters and plot, and a general lack of depth -- that left me wanting more from the book.
mhalp520's review against another edition
1.0
gave this one up 20 pages in. the writing style was off, and i couldn't get into the characters :(
julielb's review against another edition
3.0
I love this author but this entry was below expectations. The three ⭐️⭐️⭐️ review is generous and based on her writing style. I felt like the length of this book could have been shortened, with some of the middle cut out. I was engaged up to halfway and then started to wonder when it was ever going to end. I finished it but was hungry for a better book by this author.
samchelsey's review against another edition
3.0
The novel was split into two parts. Frannie and her mother drove me crazy for quite a large amount of the first part. I was happy to have Shelly there to be able to offer some insight and compassion, as well as expressing emotions even if they were intense. The second was even more boring after Shelly died except when Frannie was with her Grandfather. One of the reasons it took me so long was because I found it difficult to read Frannies pov. I tried to watch the movie when I was younger and never finished it maybe it was because I found Frannie a boring character even in movie form. The ending was also abrupt and a little awkward and yet i’m glad i finished it because i can read another book now.
jademdw14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
liralen's review against another edition
3.0
Oddly, this felt quite similar to [b:My Year of Rest and Relaxation|44279110|My Year of Rest and Relaxation|Ottessa Moshfegh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597676656l/44279110._SY75_.jpg|55508660]—partly in its very very 90s feel that I can't quite put my finger on (but why does it feel so 90s?), and partly in the way I couldn't find any characters with whom to sympathise. That must be intentional (Frannie is inclined to deny anything approaching responsibility; blame all her problems on other people while simultaneously cutting those other people down to size; and borrow people's prize possessions without asking and then be offended that they're annoyed—surely she's not meant to be likable), but it didn't necessarily make me enjoy the experience of reading it.
There's a moment, perhaps three-quarters of the way through, when it seems that Frannie has at last turned her lens outwards and started to care about how other people feel, to do things with other people in mind, but...it's not the longest-lasting of moments. And that, too, must be intentional. It's probably for the best, since a complete 180 wouldn't feel realistic (orrrrr true to who Frannie is), but i guess the whole aggressively-unpleasant thing isn't really for me.
There's a moment, perhaps three-quarters of the way through, when it seems that Frannie has at last turned her lens outwards and started to care about how other people feel, to do things with other people in mind, but...it's not the longest-lasting of moments. And that, too, must be intentional. It's probably for the best, since a complete 180 wouldn't feel realistic (orrrrr true to who Frannie is), but i guess the whole aggressively-unpleasant thing isn't really for me.
kristidremljuga's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Suicide
jessmaealbe20's review against another edition
Oh God. The writing is very well done but I HATE this book. Characters were so unlikeable and I could not get past the blatant fatphobic, ableism, and narcissism. I get that the book was written a while ago but holy sh- come on. Every page had something horrific on it. The characters were so emotionally draining and I was only 100 pages in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Ableism, and Fatphobia
R- word was used so much it hurt my eyes. Fatphobic retoric on every. Single. Page.knallen's review against another edition
3.0
This was a painful, fascinating book about body image, food issues and the things our family members to us not to mention the things we do to them. The relationships in the book felt very real. The characters were interesting and easy to relate to. It had a great message behind it and a lot of emotion. Excellent book for any woman to read.