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tessa_grayreading's review against another edition
2.0
I really disliked one of the voice actresses so I'm sure this is actually better than what I'm going to say here because I sometimes was so overwhelmed by my annoyance of that voice actresses lack of voice that I wasn't listening.
But also this is incredibly boring. Straight women with children and marriage issues, what a concept.
I really enjoyed the parts that were about the women coming to terms with themselves and becoming friends and kicking ass and the way society/family/they themselves treated each other and themselves for being fat. I liked the talk about food and relation to food and all that but we constantly had to go back to this shit I could not care less about: children, husbands and the sex life. It didn't matter, none of all this shit I had to listen to actually mattered in the big scheme of this book so why did I have to listen to it? It really annoys me because those parts actually took up so much time that we could have spent with more character growth or more focus on the actual point of this book: fatshaming and what it does to people. Instead we get endless tirades (such as this one) about stupid kids and even worse husbands and everyone being butthurt. Why??
I also liked the commentary on racism and privilege and the likes but I would have wished for a little less tell and a little more show. Considering we had aaaall this time to spent on husbands and sex, we definitely should have had time for some interactions that would have made all that tell more show (and therefore more understandable for everyone).
In conclusion, this book had its moments. I don't think it's worth those moments with all the annoying shit you have to go through to get there.
But also this is incredibly boring. Straight women with children and marriage issues, what a concept.
I really enjoyed the parts that were about the women coming to terms with themselves and becoming friends and kicking ass and the way society/family/they themselves treated each other and themselves for being fat. I liked the talk about food and relation to food and all that but we constantly had to go back to this shit I could not care less about: children, husbands and the sex life. It didn't matter, none of all this shit I had to listen to actually mattered in the big scheme of this book so why did I have to listen to it? It really annoys me because those parts actually took up so much time that we could have spent with more character growth or more focus on the actual point of this book: fatshaming and what it does to people. Instead we get endless tirades (such as this one) about stupid kids and even worse husbands and everyone being butthurt. Why??
I also liked the commentary on racism and privilege and the likes but I would have wished for a little less tell and a little more show. Considering we had aaaall this time to spent on husbands and sex, we definitely should have had time for some interactions that would have made all that tell more show (and therefore more understandable for everyone).
In conclusion, this book had its moments. I don't think it's worth those moments with all the annoying shit you have to go through to get there.
heatherj818's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jmbatty's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the characters but found it very hard to connect with the story even though I am SO the target demographic for this book. The writing was very uneven- good in some places, but choppy in others.
jeanneblasberg's review against another edition
4.0
This story goes deep into the modern woman’s psyche around body image and weight. It is an important book that at once is a battle cry as well as a testament to the fact that we are not alone in our crazy thoughts and obsessions. It tackles important issues around race and friendship and the power of our families to do the most damage.
mishale1's review against another edition
3.0
Solidly 3.5 stars.
I love how the author devoted time to really letting the reader get to know the characters. The storyline switched between the stories of Alice and Daphne. When the story began, the first several chapters are Alice’s, then the next few are Daphne’s. I really appreciated this writing tactic. I felt like I truly got to know each character before moving on to the next. Also, both Alice and Daphne were given very clear, individual voices.
This is a thought provoking story. If you read it within a book club, expect the topic of food issues to arise.
I think it really promotes an honest discussion.
The ladies in this book have major, major food issues. I can’t claim to relate to that but we’ve all got our own food issues and I think we’ll all recognize someone we know in these characters.
Alice’s food issue can be connected to her husband.
Alice grew up with supportive parents.
She had a bad breakup in her twenties and met her husband Clancy on a rebound. When she met her husband, she was at her lowest and that had resulted in her not eating right and being at her skinniest. So, while Alice’s image of herself wasn’t wrapped up in being skinny, Alice’s husband fell in love with her when she was skinny.
She quickly got pregnant, gained weight and never lost it.
Her husband had made no attempt to hide the fact that her current weight is an issue for him. He doesn’t find as attractive anymore. It’s hurting her. It’s causing her issues. And she is secretly eating behind his back and then throwing up to undo her binges.
Daphne has a wonderful husband and a couple kids. She grew up with a weight obsessed mother. Daphne had a lot of traumatic incidents both at home and at school growing up and she’s still struggling with them.
Both are at their lowest points when they learn about a tv program to help them lose weight. It is promoted as a very inspirational program. It implies that the goal is to help them get past their food and weight issues.
But when they get on the show, they found something completely different than what they are promised.
From day one, they are belittled.
They are humiliated and shamed.
They are all but starved and forced into extreme exercise routines.
They are expected to lose a completely unhealthy 10 pounds a week.
Needless to say, this is far from an ethical situation and it only serves to make the weight obsession more severe.
It also should raise some questions about why society places so much emphasis on being overweight when there’s people starving in the world.
Honestly, I think these characters would have needed therapy after their time on the weight loss program. I think the ending was possibly too smooth. It’s not that I ever want an unhappy ending in a book but after causing so much thought on food and weight issues, I think it would have been a longer path to the resolution.
I was given an early copy of this book to read and review with my book club.
I love how the author devoted time to really letting the reader get to know the characters. The storyline switched between the stories of Alice and Daphne. When the story began, the first several chapters are Alice’s, then the next few are Daphne’s. I really appreciated this writing tactic. I felt like I truly got to know each character before moving on to the next. Also, both Alice and Daphne were given very clear, individual voices.
This is a thought provoking story. If you read it within a book club, expect the topic of food issues to arise.
I think it really promotes an honest discussion.
The ladies in this book have major, major food issues. I can’t claim to relate to that but we’ve all got our own food issues and I think we’ll all recognize someone we know in these characters.
Alice’s food issue can be connected to her husband.
Alice grew up with supportive parents.
She had a bad breakup in her twenties and met her husband Clancy on a rebound. When she met her husband, she was at her lowest and that had resulted in her not eating right and being at her skinniest. So, while Alice’s image of herself wasn’t wrapped up in being skinny, Alice’s husband fell in love with her when she was skinny.
She quickly got pregnant, gained weight and never lost it.
Her husband had made no attempt to hide the fact that her current weight is an issue for him. He doesn’t find as attractive anymore. It’s hurting her. It’s causing her issues. And she is secretly eating behind his back and then throwing up to undo her binges.
Daphne has a wonderful husband and a couple kids. She grew up with a weight obsessed mother. Daphne had a lot of traumatic incidents both at home and at school growing up and she’s still struggling with them.
Both are at their lowest points when they learn about a tv program to help them lose weight. It is promoted as a very inspirational program. It implies that the goal is to help them get past their food and weight issues.
But when they get on the show, they found something completely different than what they are promised.
From day one, they are belittled.
They are humiliated and shamed.
They are all but starved and forced into extreme exercise routines.
They are expected to lose a completely unhealthy 10 pounds a week.
Needless to say, this is far from an ethical situation and it only serves to make the weight obsession more severe.
It also should raise some questions about why society places so much emphasis on being overweight when there’s people starving in the world.
Honestly, I think these characters would have needed therapy after their time on the weight loss program. I think the ending was possibly too smooth. It’s not that I ever want an unhappy ending in a book but after causing so much thought on food and weight issues, I think it would have been a longer path to the resolution.
I was given an early copy of this book to read and review with my book club.
exlibrislynne's review against another edition
4.0
Waisted poses an intriguing question: How far will women go to loose weight? This fictional tale tackles the popular conundrum of America society. When 7 women are chosen to attend a weight-loss retreat for an entire month, they will have to face their fears, aspirations, and even a potential conspiracy. Bodies are tested, friendships are forged, and families are changed in ways no one would have expected. Reminiscent of Running in Heels by Anna Maxted, fans of Jennifer Weiner novels may enjoy this captivating book.
I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.
I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.
shelleyann01's review against another edition
4.0
Think fat, be fat. Eat fat, be fat.
This book took my breath away. I cried, cringed and shook my head all through it. I know it was about weight but to me it was also about dealing with self esteem and self love. I felt so sad that Alice, Daphne and Hania had to go through all this, I saw so much of myself in them. These characters joked a lot to keep the sadness at bay and to hide a lot of angst. They all had pain they'd hidden from each other (and themselves) but through the tough time they were going through they each learned to share. I think when they finally realized they are not perfect, and that's ok, they begin to enjoy the body and life they were given. This book not only lifted me up, but made me reevaluate myself and my life. I can only hope this book will enlighten everyone as it did me.
The numbers on the scale tumbled; her spirits soared.
As I read, I was invested in the lives of these women, their struggles, their emotions, and their growth. The fat-shaming, the discrimination, and the lack of self-confidence was heartbreaking and difficult to read. It was hard to read the thoughts of women who have a negative self-talk tape running constantly in their minds, but more importantly, it made me think about how I actually live this way every single day of my life. But the friendship between the women was heartwarming and the message of self-love and self-acceptance is one women of any weight can identify with.
Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Randy Susan Meyers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#Waisted #NetGalley
All my reviews can be found on my blog: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/
This book took my breath away. I cried, cringed and shook my head all through it. I know it was about weight but to me it was also about dealing with self esteem and self love. I felt so sad that Alice, Daphne and Hania had to go through all this, I saw so much of myself in them. These characters joked a lot to keep the sadness at bay and to hide a lot of angst. They all had pain they'd hidden from each other (and themselves) but through the tough time they were going through they each learned to share. I think when they finally realized they are not perfect, and that's ok, they begin to enjoy the body and life they were given. This book not only lifted me up, but made me reevaluate myself and my life. I can only hope this book will enlighten everyone as it did me.
The numbers on the scale tumbled; her spirits soared.
As I read, I was invested in the lives of these women, their struggles, their emotions, and their growth. The fat-shaming, the discrimination, and the lack of self-confidence was heartbreaking and difficult to read. It was hard to read the thoughts of women who have a negative self-talk tape running constantly in their minds, but more importantly, it made me think about how I actually live this way every single day of my life. But the friendship between the women was heartwarming and the message of self-love and self-acceptance is one women of any weight can identify with.
Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Randy Susan Meyers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#Waisted #NetGalley
All my reviews can be found on my blog: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/
nickikendall's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
5.0
After reading so many mixed reviews about this book I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I loved it. I don't let reviews I read determine my reading, if a synopsis or even dare I say A title or a cover grab my attention I will add a book to my TBR. This was a thoroughly relatable on some levels and enjoyable read for me about women tricked into joining a health retreat only to discover they are being secretly filmed and exploited in a weightloss reality style show. I related so much to the characters and their struggles and how they feel about their bodies and themselves. Told with some realism, it describes how we sometimes privately binge with the intention of soothing ourselves only to end up feeling much worse. I loved the commaraderie between the women and the overall message of acceptance and loving ourselves and appreciating the body we are in. It was an engaging read that I couldn't put down, maybe because these ladies resonated so much with me.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #waisted #randysusanmeyers #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #amazonkindle #litsy #thestorygraph #bookqueen #bookstagram #chicklit
emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
The thing I loved most about this book is the acknowledgement that the experience of being a fat woman in the U.S. is not monolithic. While parts of the book were hard to imagine other parts resonated deeply and it was wonderful to follow the multiple narrators and characters as they came to terms with how others treat their bodies and how others treat their bodies. It also showcases the power of female friendship, and that was lovely. [An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.]
pleasureinatrocities's review against another edition
3.0
The summary leads you to believe that it's going to be primarily about the documentary they film but the part where they are actually in the mansion isn't really that long. The best part of the book by far was how it looked at the lives of the two women and their relationship with food. Their thought processes and the reactions and comments from their family members were incredibly realistic and well-done.