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emilyjayne96's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
meghan_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to HighBridge Audio for the review audiobook of Mecca Jamilah Sullivan's Big Girl (live right publishing for the physical book). This is a wonderful story, one that brings in so many wonderful elements about race, social class, culture, appearance/weight related pressures and messaging, and does this do well within a coming of age story set in Harlem in the 1990s. Malaya's story was vibrantly and lyrically written and done justice through the voice narration from Lisa Reneé Pitts.
There are powerful themes on stigma in this book and I personally found the ideas about appropriation, the taking of Black culture and voice, and Malaya's movement towards understanding herself and the world around her were well written . I loved how the story focused on Malaya's movement towards reconciling her identity in the face of trauma, White privilege and academic pressures, and in the face of food and weight related pressures. I found myself thinking about some of the books I have read about White girls and disordered eating and body image and how this story is so needed to lend focus to intersectionality within race and social class. I was reminded in places of some of Roxanne Gay's memoir and essay writing.
There are powerful themes on stigma in this book and I personally found the ideas about appropriation, the taking of Black culture and voice, and Malaya's movement towards understanding herself and the world around her were well written . I loved how the story focused on Malaya's movement towards reconciling her identity in the face of trauma, White privilege and academic pressures, and in the face of food and weight related pressures. I found myself thinking about some of the books I have read about White girls and disordered eating and body image and how this story is so needed to lend focus to intersectionality within race and social class. I was reminded in places of some of Roxanne Gay's memoir and essay writing.
kait_unicorn's review against another edition
5.0
GAAAAAH! What a gorgeous read. Painful, poignant, and satisfyingly liberating by the end. A story of one girl and then young woman’s discovery of herself through the bombardment of how she is perceived by those around her. Malaya’s emotional landscape is both fraught and in so many ways relatable for her introspection and observations of what people decide about her experience as a fat Black girl. One of my favourite things is that her actual health is never reported on, only assumed, and she is perfectly healthy physically. The psychic toll of anti-fatness and colourism is visceral through her internal narrative. I also particularly appreciated the way she relates to music and the emotional container it provides her. Extra bonus for showing an excellent therapist/patient relationship.
A gorgeous book.
A gorgeous book.
fabiandtheberts's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
itstheconnorsbookclub's review
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
Mecca Jamilah Smith's "Big Girl" unfolds the life of Malaya, exploring the scrutiny her family places on her eating habits and the criticism of her weight. The novel delves into the complexities of identity, relationships, and societal expectations, particularly for a black woman, shaping Malaya's self-perception and contemplation of the women she might become.
"This is what it is to be a woman. Everything is your job."
Malaya, a reserved individual, expresses herself through actions rather than words, creating poignant moments where silence is misunderstood, influencing the course of relationships. This aspect reminded me of Sally Rooney's "Normal People."
I appreciated the incorporation of Biggie Smalls references and lyrics, feeling that the author authentically captured the ambiance of the 80s and 90s. The narrative also spotlights the evolving landscape of Harlem during Malaya's childhood and the challenges of neighborhood gentrification.
"We make magic, they consume it, make it theirs. We have to start over, and we do. Over and over again. It’s hard on people."
For those who identify with being or have been a "Big Girl," many aspects of the story, especially the character of Ma-Mère, will resonate. Ma-Mère's character, disliked yet understood, serves as a testament to the well-crafted storytelling. I particularly enjoyed Ma-Mère's sayings and phrases, such as "they got enough lights to put the sun out of business" and "called so much I thought Alexander Graham Bell himself would have to get up out of the grave and cut the telephone wire to make him stop."
"Sometimes you have to act like the world was made for you, even if all sense and signs say it’s not."
NetGalley provided me with an ARC copy of “Big Girl” in exchange for this honest review.
"This is what it is to be a woman. Everything is your job."
Malaya, a reserved individual, expresses herself through actions rather than words, creating poignant moments where silence is misunderstood, influencing the course of relationships. This aspect reminded me of Sally Rooney's "Normal People."
I appreciated the incorporation of Biggie Smalls references and lyrics, feeling that the author authentically captured the ambiance of the 80s and 90s. The narrative also spotlights the evolving landscape of Harlem during Malaya's childhood and the challenges of neighborhood gentrification.
"We make magic, they consume it, make it theirs. We have to start over, and we do. Over and over again. It’s hard on people."
For those who identify with being or have been a "Big Girl," many aspects of the story, especially the character of Ma-Mère, will resonate. Ma-Mère's character, disliked yet understood, serves as a testament to the well-crafted storytelling. I particularly enjoyed Ma-Mère's sayings and phrases, such as "they got enough lights to put the sun out of business" and "called so much I thought Alexander Graham Bell himself would have to get up out of the grave and cut the telephone wire to make him stop."
"Sometimes you have to act like the world was made for you, even if all sense and signs say it’s not."
NetGalley provided me with an ARC copy of “Big Girl” in exchange for this honest review.
swilson4995's review against another edition
5.0
Taking place in Harlem of the late 80s and early 90s, this character driven novel follows the life and reveals the thoughts of Malaya as she grows and discovers herself from the ages of eight to sixteen, all while trying to become more the name that people call her, "Big Girl."
Discovering that the main character is the same age as me meant I had to work hard to put aside the instant nostalgia that arose. Given that, the accuracy of detail will charm any elder millennial or anyone enamoured of the era. Beyond the pop culture references, the hold that Weight Watchers had over our mothers - and the mind-melting diet culture that was foisted onto our generation from a young age rings so, so true.
Beyond that, the novel should become an instant classic. A young person moving through the New York City of their time and circumstance harkens back to Catcher in the Rye, but with an optimism despite tough circumstances that makes the reader feel for Malaya Clondon in a way that one never could for Holden Caulfield.
There's no shying away from challenging issues here: the novel takes on racism, sexism, what it means to be a woman, burgeoning and confusing sexuality. And all with lyrical prose that is both masterful and a joy to read. This is by far the best book I've read so far this year!
Discovering that the main character is the same age as me meant I had to work hard to put aside the instant nostalgia that arose. Given that, the accuracy of detail will charm any elder millennial or anyone enamoured of the era. Beyond the pop culture references, the hold that Weight Watchers had over our mothers - and the mind-melting diet culture that was foisted onto our generation from a young age rings so, so true.
Beyond that, the novel should become an instant classic. A young person moving through the New York City of their time and circumstance harkens back to Catcher in the Rye, but with an optimism despite tough circumstances that makes the reader feel for Malaya Clondon in a way that one never could for Holden Caulfield.
There's no shying away from challenging issues here: the novel takes on racism, sexism, what it means to be a woman, burgeoning and confusing sexuality. And all with lyrical prose that is both masterful and a joy to read. This is by far the best book I've read so far this year!
angelaptrice's review against another edition
5.0
I have so many thoughts and feelings about this book and I’m struggling to express them all. I wish I would have taken notes so that I could write a more in depth review. Mecca Jamilah Sullivan’s words read like poetry to me in a way that made even the most heart wrenching parts of this novel tender.
The theme of gentrification woven throughout is fitting in so many ways.
After finishing the book I read some of the reviews and a reoccurring critique was that people who struggled with being overweight would have a hard time reading it. While I recognize that today we are sensitive to subject matter that could trigger, I appreciate that Malaya is from my generation, the book is unapologetically written without a 2023 filter, and the characters and settings were as authentic to the era as I remember. As someone who was overweight for most of my childhood and adulthood, I found Sullivan’s raw style compelling, refreshing and relatable.
I was surprised to learn this was a debut novel! Brava, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan!
The theme of gentrification woven throughout is fitting in so many ways.
After finishing the book I read some of the reviews and a reoccurring critique was that people who struggled with being overweight would have a hard time reading it. While I recognize that today we are sensitive to subject matter that could trigger, I appreciate that Malaya is from my generation, the book is unapologetically written without a 2023 filter, and the characters and settings were as authentic to the era as I remember. As someone who was overweight for most of my childhood and adulthood, I found Sullivan’s raw style compelling, refreshing and relatable.
I was surprised to learn this was a debut novel! Brava, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan!
lit_vibrations's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautifully written masterpiece with a heart wrenching narrative and an unforgettable MC. It explores the complexities of loving the skin you’re in, overcoming the mental barriers society places on overweight individuals, and navigating life on your own terms.
The novel begins with 8 year old Malaya Clondon as her mother drags her to yet another Weight Watchers meeting. Weighing 168 pounds Malaya struggles to suppress her insatiable longing for food while also dealing with the compounded expectations passed down over generations from her grandmother and her mother, Nyela. As Malaya comes of age in a rapidly gentrifying 1990s Harlem, she strains to understand “ladyness” and fit neatly within the suffocating confines of a so-called “femininity” that holds no room for her body.
The pacing was okay, some parts of the book were a bit repetitive but the overall message was very clear and empowering. I love how the author took us on a journey through Malaya’s life and showed how the shame of others can rub off on us at such a young age. Rather than Nyela trying to get to the root of Malaya’s eating habits she focused on trying to fix her. It took awhile but eventually Malaya learns control, continued to find comfort in her art and music, and no longer allowed the pressure of others to determine how she feels about herself.
Overall, this was honest, thought-provoking, and authentic it’s definitely worth reading. The representation and raw portrayal of such a real life situation was everything. So many young girls have struggled with their weight and this shows that sometimes eating habits can form due to trauma or a deeper rooted issue. Special thanks to the author, @hearourvoicestours , & @liverightbooks for my gifted copy!!!!
The novel begins with 8 year old Malaya Clondon as her mother drags her to yet another Weight Watchers meeting. Weighing 168 pounds Malaya struggles to suppress her insatiable longing for food while also dealing with the compounded expectations passed down over generations from her grandmother and her mother, Nyela. As Malaya comes of age in a rapidly gentrifying 1990s Harlem, she strains to understand “ladyness” and fit neatly within the suffocating confines of a so-called “femininity” that holds no room for her body.
The pacing was okay, some parts of the book were a bit repetitive but the overall message was very clear and empowering. I love how the author took us on a journey through Malaya’s life and showed how the shame of others can rub off on us at such a young age. Rather than Nyela trying to get to the root of Malaya’s eating habits she focused on trying to fix her. It took awhile but eventually Malaya learns control, continued to find comfort in her art and music, and no longer allowed the pressure of others to determine how she feels about herself.
Overall, this was honest, thought-provoking, and authentic it’s definitely worth reading. The representation and raw portrayal of such a real life situation was everything. So many young girls have struggled with their weight and this shows that sometimes eating habits can form due to trauma or a deeper rooted issue. Special thanks to the author, @hearourvoicestours , & @liverightbooks for my gifted copy!!!!
luyabeans's review against another edition
This book is really amazing and I plan to finish it in the future. However, my relationship with my own body and eating disorder is not stable enough to deal with the kinds of triggers that Malaya goes through. It’s all too close to my family and it’s causing some emotional upheavals that are outside of my control right now. This is not about the book itself, it’s about my current mental health.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Dysphoria
meemsblack's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-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
3.75