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woodsybookworm's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In a world where eating is a taboo and restaurants are tucked away like speakeasies, a young woman finds herself at odds with her devoutly religious community after discovering a passion for cooking.
Beatrice lives in Seagate - a community where sexuality is open, God is revered, and food has been replaced by supplement pills. When she discovers a secret cache of food and a society of people who cook in secret, Beatrice opens the door to a whole new world and must decide whether to stay in the safety and uniformity of her home or escape to discover new delicacies.
While I enjoyed The Thick and the Lean there were a few things that prevented me from rating it higher...
I feel like this would have been a better novella, the book tended to drag at times. Additionally, I felt like the story would have been stronger strictly following Beatrice's story rather than jumping to other characters' POVs. Beatrice was such an interesting character and to suddenly shift from her perspective to a new character was pretty jarring.
Beatrice lives in Seagate - a community where sexuality is open, God is revered, and food has been replaced by supplement pills. When she discovers a secret cache of food and a society of people who cook in secret, Beatrice opens the door to a whole new world and must decide whether to stay in the safety and uniformity of her home or escape to discover new delicacies.
While I enjoyed The Thick and the Lean there were a few things that prevented me from rating it higher...
I feel like this would have been a better novella, the book tended to drag at times. Additionally, I felt like the story would have been stronger strictly following Beatrice's story rather than jumping to other characters' POVs. Beatrice was such an interesting character and to suddenly shift from her perspective to a new character was pretty jarring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Classism, and Eating disorder
burghbooksandbrews's review
3.0
This book had such an interesting concept, but for me, something was missing in the delivery. I think with some editing, this could have been a very interesting story because it is clear that the author has a lot of talent. My main gripe is just how long and disjointed this book felt.
This story follows a few different storylines, mainly those of Beatrice and Rieko. Growing up in a society where there are no sexual taboos but where food is scorned and eating is shameful, their stories give us a very interesting glance into this very bizarre society. Beatrice grew up basically in a cult where no one ever ate in public and didn’t eat for enjoyment, only for survival. But Beatrice loves food and loves the process of cooking, so she escapes. I was very into her story and the rejection of this church that requires people to basically starve themselves. Her story was really the highlight of the book for me, and I kind of wish this book was about her and expanded upon her life more.
I do love Porter’s writing style. The way she writes the most unsexy sex scenes (as people are just having sex in public all of the time so it is a very rote activity) as juxtaposed to her very sensual way of describing cooking and ingredients was just so good. It really brought this society to life for me. I think this is why Beatrice’s story spoke to me more than Rieko’s. Beatrice’s story was a little more straightforward in terms of describing the society and critiquing that society (as well as our own). I think when it came to Rieko’s story, there was a little too much going on which then kind of watered down the book as a whole.
I am still very interested in reading this author’s work in the future despite my reservations about this one. My husband really enjoyed her other book, The Seep, so I hope to check that out later this year.
This story follows a few different storylines, mainly those of Beatrice and Rieko. Growing up in a society where there are no sexual taboos but where food is scorned and eating is shameful, their stories give us a very interesting glance into this very bizarre society. Beatrice grew up basically in a cult where no one ever ate in public and didn’t eat for enjoyment, only for survival. But Beatrice loves food and loves the process of cooking, so she escapes. I was very into her story and the rejection of this church that requires people to basically starve themselves. Her story was really the highlight of the book for me, and I kind of wish this book was about her and expanded upon her life more.
I do love Porter’s writing style. The way she writes the most unsexy sex scenes (as people are just having sex in public all of the time so it is a very rote activity) as juxtaposed to her very sensual way of describing cooking and ingredients was just so good. It really brought this society to life for me. I think this is why Beatrice’s story spoke to me more than Rieko’s. Beatrice’s story was a little more straightforward in terms of describing the society and critiquing that society (as well as our own). I think when it came to Rieko’s story, there was a little too much going on which then kind of watered down the book as a whole.
I am still very interested in reading this author’s work in the future despite my reservations about this one. My husband really enjoyed her other book, The Seep, so I hope to check that out later this year.
golsen's review against another edition
dark
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
3.75
bisexualbookshelf's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
Chana Porter's "The Thick and the Lean" plunges readers into a world shaped by the gravitational forces of two moons, molding not just the physical terrain but also the societal frameworks and personal aspirations of its inhabitants. Within this landscape, Beatrice resides in the religious enclave of Seagate, where calorie regulation is equated with spiritual enlightenment. Meanwhile, Reiko grapples with the aftermath of losing her college scholarship, eventually being drawn into an underground world of clandestine survival.
Porter skillfully weaves a narrative that critiques labor hierarchies and the oppressive grip of late capitalism, all while exploring themes of fatphobia, diet culture, and the politics of desire. The story is rich with dynamic, morally complex feminine characters who grapple with class-consciousness, religious trauma, and the boundaries between pleasure and restriction.
The world of "The Thick and the Lean'' is deeply diverse, offering sapphic/bisexual, disability, and fat representation. Through Beatrice and Reiko's journeys, "The Thick and the Lean" reflects on the intersections of gender, sexuality, and capitalism, confronting readers with questions of hedonism, solidarity, and the inherent value of bodily autonomy.
Porter's prose is as sensual as it is evocative, drawing readers into a vivid tapestry of colors, flavors, scents, and textures. The novel resists easy categorization, offering a nuanced exploration of pleasure, sacrifice, and the pursuit of freedom in a world shaped by oppressive forces. Porter's exploration of (un)ethical consumption challenges readers to consider the possibilities of collective liberation amidst a capitalist world that demands sacrifices from women in the name of survival.
At its core, this novel refuses to judge women for their choices in navigating a world that seeks to control and commodify their bodies. It is a poignant exploration of the struggle for autonomy and freedom in the face of societal expectations and constraints. "The Thick and the Lean" is a feast for the mind and body, inviting readers to savor every page and reflect on the power of resistance and solidarity in the face of adversity.
📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Body Liberation, Supporters of Queer and Feminist Rights, Fans of Dystopian Fiction with a Twist, and Anticapitalist Readers.
🔑 Key Themes: Critique of Capitalist Labor Hierarchies, Fatphobia and Diet Culture, Religious Trauma and Sexual Politics, Class-Consciousness and Precarity, Solidarity and Found Family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Gun violence
Minor: Classism, Racism, and Suicide
clamthegiant's review
sad
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
3.0
intorilex's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this expecting a story about a cult in a world where the wealthy class continues to exploit resources at the cost of human lives. The world of the cult and how this dystopia worked was instead outshined by a character study of the Beatrice and Reiko.
As a fan of dystopia's I always enjoy well thought out world building that comes together. This book however weaves two stories together, but the ending leaves far too many threads untied to be satisfying.
I did enjoy Beatrice and Reiko as characters but the book spent too much time describing the non-taboo sexual appetites' of this world and not enough time making this world feel real or believable. I probably only finished this because it was a audiobook but would have DNFed a print copy.
Interesting premise, bad execution. I really enjoyed Seep the debut from this author but this didn't come together as well as that story and world.
As a fan of dystopia's I always enjoy well thought out world building that comes together. This book however weaves two stories together, but the ending leaves far too many threads untied to be satisfying.
I did enjoy Beatrice and Reiko as characters but the book spent too much time describing the non-taboo sexual appetites' of this world and not enough time making this world feel real or believable. I probably only finished this because it was a audiobook but would have DNFed a print copy.
Interesting premise, bad execution. I really enjoyed Seep the debut from this author but this didn't come together as well as that story and world.
hazel_oat's review
3.0
not bad, but inevitably underwhelming as chana porter's work tends to be. took me ages to get through this. much love to juan for sending me their extra ARC.
misterushi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Child abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Abandonment and Bullying
zeuxine's review against another edition
3.25
I hated this until the end and then I was like ? Ok ? It was a lot
hereticburger's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0