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baoluong's review against another edition
3.0
Puddin' is the follow up to Dumplin' and features the same cast of characters that were first introduced as minor roles. This time around, Millie and Callie find themselves at the epicenter of a town scandal and through extenuating circumstances, the both of them learn from one another. The story is adequate and there's a tension that makes the dynamic between the two complex. I really like how Callie talks about her Latina physical features being justification for others to discriminate her. So it's curious how Callie uses that mistreatment as a justification of mistreating Millie.
Is Callie the most likable character? Well, it's a slow process but she begins to resemble a decent human by the end. That's more than I can say about the abhorred Willow Dean who manages to needle her judgmental self into this redemption story. Geez, that's the only reason I was able to tolerate Callie because she is far from being the worst. In turn, I can't extend the same curtesy to the Shamrocks, Callie's high school dance team, who engage in come casual destruction of property.
Although, what really brings impact is understanding the overarching structures that manage to oppress us. In Puddin', themes surround isolation and an inability to unite for a single cause. While, the potential exists, the writing and plot fail to properly execute it. There's this misunderstanding conflict that only exacerbates a lack of communication which could have easily been solved. In truth, the way the story plays out is pretty much predictable in that we know Callie must fall from grace and Millie is the savior to show her the error of her ways. I think we could have done without the fan fare and focused on Millie's journey to self-discovery. However, I reckon it's important to demonstrate that anyone can change their ways especially when their backs are finally up against the wall. The lesson? Humans consider changing only when they have to in order to survive.
I like the color scheme which is triggering me. I ventilate every time I think about Swiss modernism. The vector illustration is cute and activates the cover. I'm not too into the centered text but I like the kerning that gives breathing room to letters. I still don't get the star motif and seems superfluous. Otherwise, I think it's solid.
B L O G 🐶
Is Callie the most likable character? Well, it's a slow process but she begins to resemble a decent human by the end. That's more than I can say about the abhorred Willow Dean who manages to needle her judgmental self into this redemption story. Geez, that's the only reason I was able to tolerate Callie because she is far from being the worst. In turn, I can't extend the same curtesy to the Shamrocks, Callie's high school dance team, who engage in come casual destruction of property.
Although, what really brings impact is understanding the overarching structures that manage to oppress us. In Puddin', themes surround isolation and an inability to unite for a single cause. While, the potential exists, the writing and plot fail to properly execute it. There's this misunderstanding conflict that only exacerbates a lack of communication which could have easily been solved. In truth, the way the story plays out is pretty much predictable in that we know Callie must fall from grace and Millie is the savior to show her the error of her ways. I think we could have done without the fan fare and focused on Millie's journey to self-discovery. However, I reckon it's important to demonstrate that anyone can change their ways especially when their backs are finally up against the wall. The lesson? Humans consider changing only when they have to in order to survive.
C O V E R R E V I E W :
I like the color scheme which is triggering me. I ventilate every time I think about Swiss modernism. The vector illustration is cute and activates the cover. I'm not too into the centered text but I like the kerning that gives breathing room to letters. I still don't get the star motif and seems superfluous. Otherwise, I think it's solid.
B L O G 🐶
abbyl819's review against another edition
3.0
This book was overall good because it was entertaining, although there really wasn’t much of a plot. I would say that it is definitely not necessary to read it after you read Dumplin’ because it doesn’t add anything to that story really. If you love Millie and Callie and want something more from their stories, then this would be a good one for you since it is from their two perspectives.
kaylawtzl22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i enjoyed this book and thought it was a perfect sequel to dumplin. i really didn’t think i’d like these characters or connect to them as much as willowdean, but i ended up being pleasantly surprised. even though the character are younger than me, i heavily related to the pressure they were feeling to already have their lives and next steps figured out. it’s cute! onto pumpkin🙂↕️
kholtfit's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
ireadbooks_10's review against another edition
I couldn’t get excited to read the book, and didn’t find something to look forward to when I picked it up.
keahreads's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
chantalwiegand's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy the writing style of the dumplin’ series so far. The character in this book are just as enjoyable as in dumplin’. I also love that you see the ‘bad’ sides of the characters it makes it feel more real imo.
ruth24's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this on audiobook during my commute. Like [b:Dumplin'|18304322|Dumplin' (Dumplin' #1)|Julie Murphy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424189465l/18304322._SY75_.jpg|25795642], the story line is classic YA goodness with an overall message of self-love. An unlikely friendship grows between total opposites Millie and Callie. While Millie learns to stand up for herself to get what she wants (and deserves), Callie digs deep to shake off her defensiveness and reveal her soft and squishy insides. What makes this book great is the fat girl empowerment (riots not diets!), which is a welcome change. In Murphy's books, girls in all forms and varieties are lovable just as they are!
wishfulfillment's review against another edition
2.0
Dropping at 146 pages.
+ In Dumplin', Murphy shared a mixture of fatpositive and fatphobic (unchallenged) messages. In Puddin' she separated the fatpositive from the fatphobic through the dual-POVs of Millie and Callie, which works much better for the reader as Callie's chapter read almost if not exactly satirically.
+ I'm a huge fan of satire so I enjoyed what I read of Callie's chapters.
- I worry that the satire wasn't intentional or intentional enough.
+ Millie has seen the light and has realized that her fat body is perfect exactly how it is and wants to get away from her mother's negative thoughts.
+ The voice actress for Millie has a beautiful voice. (I'm not sure if she's also the voice actress for Callie, but she stunned me during the Millie chapters).
- Everything about this novel that linked to Dumplin' felt inorganic, like chunks of fanfiction. This would have been a much stronger novel without those elements, including the awkward slumber party.
- The pacing was too slow.
- A lot about this felt aimless and because of that it couldn't hold my attention.
I will continue to read Julie Murphy's works as I appreciate what she's trying to do.
+ In Dumplin', Murphy shared a mixture of fatpositive and fatphobic (unchallenged) messages. In Puddin' she separated the fatpositive from the fatphobic through the dual-POVs of Millie and Callie, which works much better for the reader as Callie's chapter read almost if not exactly satirically.
+ I'm a huge fan of satire so I enjoyed what I read of Callie's chapters.
- I worry that the satire wasn't intentional or intentional enough.
+ Millie has seen the light and has realized that her fat body is perfect exactly how it is and wants to get away from her mother's negative thoughts.
+ The voice actress for Millie has a beautiful voice. (I'm not sure if she's also the voice actress for Callie, but she stunned me during the Millie chapters).
- Everything about this novel that linked to Dumplin' felt inorganic, like chunks of fanfiction. This would have been a much stronger novel without those elements, including the awkward slumber party.
- The pacing was too slow.
- A lot about this felt aimless and because of that it couldn't hold my attention.
I will continue to read Julie Murphy's works as I appreciate what she's trying to do.
suza_looza's review against another edition
4.0
(Audio book) loved it! Cant wait to read pumpkin’ !!!