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bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
I think that there's a great temptation when writing about someone with body issues to make them into a perfect person, so that all the mean, cruel things that other people say and do are completely undeserved. Willowdean is not that person. She is stubborn and opinionated and for every time she says and does the right thing, there's a time when she is selfish and mean. That takes a lot of guts on the part of the author, and it makes this book ring true in a way it wouldn't if Willowdean was always warm-hearted, loving, and funny. There were several moments in this book when I did not like her at all.
But she is a well-drawn, relatable human being. She works as a character in a way that doesn't often happen for me in young adult chick-lit books, even when I enjoy them. She is a mess, just like every adolescent is a mess. She is a believable mix of boldly confident and bone-deep insecure--kind of like I was when I was that age. My issues might have been different, but that mix of confidence and insecurity felt the same.
In fact, I would have given this book five stars except that aside from Dominican Hannah, there are no visible people of color at this high school--no blacks, no Mexican Americans, no Asian Americans. I went to third grade through high school graduation at public schools in Texas, and even back then (in the dark ages) there were plenty of people of color around. Ten years ago, maybe even five years ago, I wouldn't have noticed how often we whitewash the world around us, but I do now, and while I still thought this was a great book-- I even thought the ambiguous ending was perfect-- I think Ms. Murphy could have done better at representing a real public high school.
But she is a well-drawn, relatable human being. She works as a character in a way that doesn't often happen for me in young adult chick-lit books, even when I enjoy them. She is a mess, just like every adolescent is a mess. She is a believable mix of boldly confident and bone-deep insecure--kind of like I was when I was that age. My issues might have been different, but that mix of confidence and insecurity felt the same.
In fact, I would have given this book five stars except that aside from Dominican Hannah, there are no visible people of color at this high school--no blacks, no Mexican Americans, no Asian Americans. I went to third grade through high school graduation at public schools in Texas, and even back then (in the dark ages) there were plenty of people of color around. Ten years ago, maybe even five years ago, I wouldn't have noticed how often we whitewash the world around us, but I do now, and while I still thought this was a great book-- I even thought the ambiguous ending was perfect-- I think Ms. Murphy could have done better at representing a real public high school.
abiaustin's review against another edition
3.0
5 stars for everything having to do with the pageant, 2 stars for everything having to do with the romance
thefantasticalworldofsara's review against another edition
5.0
This book was an absolute delight and I loved every minute of it!
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
itziars's review against another edition
The main character was starting to annoy me. I've grown out a lot of YA, but I wanted to try as some YA I still like. I would have probably liked this a few years ago
maddness22's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Like any good insecure 16 year old protagonist, Willowdean is insufferable at times and makes selfish decisions that are tough to read as an adult. But I loved how much heart was in this story! I did, in fact, cry a lot by the end. It's a very endearing story and the ongoing positive body image message was both realistic and uplifting. I was more inspired by the people around Willowdean than Willowdean herself, but her voice and insecurities were incredibly relatable.
Also love all of the Dolly. Dolly is the best!
Also love all of the Dolly. Dolly is the best!
karrama's review against another edition
4.0
Dumplin' is her pageant-winning mother's name for her. Some people call her Willow or Will, but Bo calls her Willowdean. Her whole name. This quiet boy from the private school sees Willowdean for the whole person she is, someone even her beautiful, gold-hearted best friend has trouble doing. This book is a wonder for self-esteem and starting over. We have rounded characters who we know and love.
Dumplin' deals with real issues dealt with every day, but Willowdean lives in a tiny town populated with largely good people. Many of the issues she faces are situations where people don't realize the stress they place her under or, mostly, they don't realized the long-term effect of their words. Julie Murphy managed to address body issues in a way that doesn't trivialize or sensationalize them. While some readers may feel early self-deprication in a hurtful way, the trouble passes. Willowdean starts to see the other students in her life as people like her, and that Willowdean might be just like the other people in her life, too.
From here, I have a few spoilers because I want to address how my expectations weren't met...but nothing that will cause real problems for potential readers. There is a lot in Dumplin' that the "it could have been worse" crowd will point to as proof that the story isn't traumatizing. That might be if one has never been relentlessly called "less than." Willowdean deals with the daily reminder that she is overweight. Her mother, her classmates, her own mind tell her that she is overweight and that she isn't as good as other people because of that. It's a feel good book, so that lessens as time goes on.
Small-scale spoilers below, but an attempt to help those looking for trigger warnings on books that might need them.-->
However, because of the adult language, the tone, and some of the off-screen sexual encounters in the book, I spent much of the book waiting for the other foot to drop. I waited for Bo or Mitch or even the school bully to physically attack her in any number of ways. I kept waiting for the horror of physical violence against the girl with low self esteem. This didn't happen. Knowing this will help some readers enter Dumplin' more fully.
At the same time, we have a "magical gay godfather" moment that felt a little contrived. That is a small part of an overall good junior/senior year in high school book.
Dumplin' deals with real issues dealt with every day, but Willowdean lives in a tiny town populated with largely good people. Many of the issues she faces are situations where people don't realize the stress they place her under or, mostly, they don't realized the long-term effect of their words. Julie Murphy managed to address body issues in a way that doesn't trivialize or sensationalize them. While some readers may feel early self-deprication in a hurtful way, the trouble passes. Willowdean starts to see the other students in her life as people like her, and that Willowdean might be just like the other people in her life, too.
From here, I have a few spoilers because I want to address how my expectations weren't met...but nothing that will cause real problems for potential readers. There is a lot in Dumplin' that the "it could have been worse" crowd will point to as proof that the story isn't traumatizing. That might be if one has never been relentlessly called "less than." Willowdean deals with the daily reminder that she is overweight. Her mother, her classmates, her own mind tell her that she is overweight and that she isn't as good as other people because of that. It's a feel good book, so that lessens as time goes on.
Small-scale spoilers below, but an attempt to help those looking for trigger warnings on books that might need them.-->
However, because of the adult language, the tone, and some of the off-screen sexual encounters in the book, I spent much of the book waiting for the other foot to drop. I waited for Bo or Mitch or even the school bully to physically attack her in any number of ways. I kept waiting for the horror of physical violence against the girl with low self esteem. This didn't happen. Knowing this will help some readers enter Dumplin' more fully.
At the same time, we have a "magical gay godfather" moment that felt a little contrived. That is a small part of an overall good junior/senior year in high school book.
dollydidlums's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Honest, touching and inspiring
smithrachaelynn's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to like this more than I did. But I think that has a lot to do with where I am in life. I loved Willowdean’s internal conversation about her confidence and her body. So relatable! I actually loved Mitch so much!
ohemgee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
reader4evr's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Willowdean reminded me a lot of Bianca from The Duff.
The whole tie in with Dolly Parton was awesome, I love Joelene...one of my favorites by her!
An interesting ending that I didn't expect but I felt like it fit it perfect.
The whole tie in with Dolly Parton was awesome, I love Joelene...one of my favorites by her!
An interesting ending that I didn't expect but I felt like it fit it perfect.