kayla_can_read's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This cokes from a deeply personal place but could be flesh out a bit more. The authors use of physicality is wonderful
katherina17's review
4.0
TW: Fatphobia/ED
I really really liked this book. I wasn't sure if this collection of stories was supposed to be connected but I think they came together nicely. As much as I think this is a story for fat people to commiserate I really think thin people would benefit from reading it as well. The feelings that get brought up from the systemic and medical fatphobia are translated really really really well IMO. I definitely cried a few times while reading because the elements really hit hard for me.
I really really liked this book. I wasn't sure if this collection of stories was supposed to be connected but I think they came together nicely. As much as I think this is a story for fat people to commiserate I really think thin people would benefit from reading it as well. The feelings that get brought up from the systemic and medical fatphobia are translated really really really well IMO. I definitely cried a few times while reading because the elements really hit hard for me.
destinyischoice's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
pastathief's review
3.0
This is a short, quick read with fewer space suits than the title led me to expect. However, the stories are heartfelt and poignant, and elements of them definitely ring true with things that are happening today. It was worthwhile for the time I spent with it.
spicewitch's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in one quick sitting. Part of that is because it's short, but mostly because it's incredible.
Each one of Ali's stories really gutted me while also making me feel at home. I could see myself in these worlds in a way I really haven't in most sci-fi. In much the same way that The Handmaid's Tale extrapolates on the arguments of conservative evangelical Christianity and sees them to their logical end point, They don't make plus size spacesuits sees diet culture to its logical extreme. My only complaint is that there aren't more stories packed into this little volume. But as it is, it packs a punch.
Each one of Ali's stories really gutted me while also making me feel at home. I could see myself in these worlds in a way I really haven't in most sci-fi. In much the same way that The Handmaid's Tale extrapolates on the arguments of conservative evangelical Christianity and sees them to their logical end point, They don't make plus size spacesuits sees diet culture to its logical extreme. My only complaint is that there aren't more stories packed into this little volume. But as it is, it packs a punch.
lsmith36's review
4.0
A really interesting collection of short stories, several of which were science fiction. I really enjoyed it!
jskstarr's review
5.0
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the author. There were no conditions put on me receiving the ARC from them.
I can’t think of any fat protagonists in books I’ve read. Horrible, right? I am fat, and this is the first time I’ve seen a mirror to that part of myself. But if this has to be the first time then what a first time it was. I feel whole for having read this. Seen in ways I didn’t realise I could be seen. Ali has a way of speaking to the solidarity and isolation we experience as fat people that I just didn’t think I’d ever see. The aching horror of the metaphors for weight based medical and emotional abuse was one of the most powerful things I’ve ever read. I could happily have read each story as a stand alone novel, it was that good and the characters, though only with us for a few pages at a time, were that well fleshed our. An absolutely stunning piece of work.
I can’t think of any fat protagonists in books I’ve read. Horrible, right? I am fat, and this is the first time I’ve seen a mirror to that part of myself. But if this has to be the first time then what a first time it was. I feel whole for having read this. Seen in ways I didn’t realise I could be seen. Ali has a way of speaking to the solidarity and isolation we experience as fat people that I just didn’t think I’d ever see. The aching horror of the metaphors for weight based medical and emotional abuse was one of the most powerful things I’ve ever read. I could happily have read each story as a stand alone novel, it was that good and the characters, though only with us for a few pages at a time, were that well fleshed our. An absolutely stunning piece of work.
gmrickel's review against another edition
5.0
The first two stories feel like they have a different form than the last two, but I loved them all. This is NOT an easy read and it isn’t supposed to be. If anyone reads this and is curious about the real-life policies, practices, and norms that are behind the sci-if, please let me know. I have articles, and blogs, and podcasts, and personal experiences to share that back up every single thing in this book. The real horror of the story is that this isn’t science fiction, it’s fucking real and it makes up large pieces of my life. I think this would make a great book club book if I could stomach the inevitable pain of facilitating a conversation with thin people on this material. These conversations are never easy, but they are so important. I’m grateful this book exists. So grateful!
millah's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Yes. I liked this. Some things could have been developed a bit, perhaps, but I liked it.