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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I am giddy with excitement upon coming to this Goodreads page and learning that this is "Dumplin' #1"... meaning we have MORE Dumplin' coming!!
I loved that Dumplin' is kind of a major brat. Too many reviews on here are projecting adult self-actualization and "wokeness" onto a very authentic, realistic middle-of-Texas high school girl. Dumplin' has a lot of internalized misogyny and is super judgmental. I enjoyed following her on her journey, getting called out for her judgments (against her best friend El, against Bo/Mitch, etc) and learning from those call outs. Dumplin' wasn't a perfect, flawless narrator who believes all the "right" things and bestows her knowledge onto her troubled peers. That book would be sooooo boring.
*ALSO* so many people accusing this book of "skinny shaming". L O L. Skinny shaming is the "reverse racism" of body image. I am skinny and wasn't offended a single time in this book. Dumplin's comments on size comes mostly from a lack of understanding and, at some points, jealousy. Kind of a, "don't hate the player, hate the game" situation. Don't hate skinny women, hate the culture that makes us hyper focused on our appearances and pushes the idea that our physical appearance somehow relates to our worth as a person. I'm 28 years old and still learning this; why do readers expect a 16-year-old (especially one with a mother who regularly insults her size) to know it?
I loved that Dumplin' is kind of a major brat. Too many reviews on here are projecting adult self-actualization and "wokeness" onto a very authentic, realistic middle-of-Texas high school girl. Dumplin' has a lot of internalized misogyny and is super judgmental. I enjoyed following her on her journey, getting called out for her judgments (against her best friend El, against Bo/Mitch, etc) and learning from those call outs. Dumplin' wasn't a perfect, flawless narrator who believes all the "right" things and bestows her knowledge onto her troubled peers. That book would be sooooo boring.
*ALSO* so many people accusing this book of "skinny shaming". L O L. Skinny shaming is the "reverse racism" of body image. I am skinny and wasn't offended a single time in this book. Dumplin's comments on size comes mostly from a lack of understanding and, at some points, jealousy. Kind of a, "don't hate the player, hate the game" situation. Don't hate skinny women, hate the culture that makes us hyper focused on our appearances and pushes the idea that our physical appearance somehow relates to our worth as a person. I'm 28 years old and still learning this; why do readers expect a 16-year-old (especially one with a mother who regularly insults her size) to know it?
Sometimes you just need a fun, happy book. This novel was a good choice for me this week. Willowdean is an endearing, believable protagonist and the people around her are a reasonable cross section of small town Texas. I really enjoyed the setting, the story, the characters, and the ending.
This book was an absolute mess. The intention was to be "body-positive" as in, love yourself no matter your size or appearance, but it just wasn't. No, no, no. The main character was nasty, manipulative, hypocritical, insecure, ungrateful, and super judgmental. She hated on everyone - herself, her mom, her best friend, the "skinny bitches", and worst of all - the other girls who joined her in entering the beauty pageant. And while she kept wondering why people didn't want to be around her - I kept wondering why people like Bo, Mitch, Millie, Amanda, and Hannah did! Maybe I wouldn't be so unhappy if this was the story that was promised - but it was not. I feel like I was promised a confident take-no-prisoners fat girl who loved herself. Not this mess.
The love-triangle was just bad. No reasons were given as to why Bo OR Mitch would like her. She and Bo had barely said three words to one another before. And Mitch seems to like her because . Whaaaat? So dumb.
Also, Dolly Parton.
Also, sighing.
The one chapter I did like in the book was.
This book was not for me.
Great cover design though :)
The love-triangle was just bad. No reasons were given as to why Bo OR Mitch would like her. She and Bo had barely said three words to one another before
Spoiler
he kisses her the first timeSpoiler
she remembers him from 6th gradeAlso, Dolly Parton.
Also, sighing.
The one chapter I did like in the book was
Spoiler
when they went to the bar and were given beauty pageant lessons by the drag queen. Probably because in that moment, there was a glimmer of true self-possessed body-positivity demonstrated by Lee Wei...even though she did end up drunk in the afternoon with some high schoolers? Millie's subsequent change of heart after the eencounter was also a sweet momentThis book was not for me.
Great cover design though :)
This reminded me of Rainbow Rowell's novels, both in writing style and character arc. It was a lovely YA novel with just the right amount of drama.
The audiobook was well-produced, but the voice changes the narrator did to act out the different characters was strange at times and took me out of the story.
This novel didn't feel as though it was the first of a series, but apparently there is a sequel out. I will likely read it, although this storyline was complete by itself.
The audiobook was well-produced, but the voice changes the narrator did to act out the different characters was strange at times and took me out of the story.
This novel didn't feel as though it was the first of a series, but apparently there is a sequel out. I will likely read it, although this storyline was complete by itself.
I was really happy with this story and loved Willowdean. This was a great story about learning to like yourself even if you are told by the world around you that you shouldn't, or that you need to change to be okay. This is a fun read and one that you don't want to put down!
Clear eyes, full hearts...
This is one of those books which I have no idea how to review. All I can say is it was feel good and hopeful and everything I’d want in a YA novel, while being incredibly relatable, even for the non YA population.
Willowdean is complicated, flawed, and real as all get out. I loved the nuanced portrayal of her relationships with everyone around her, including her mom, friends, boys, and her late aunt who is the greatest presence in her life. The budding romance between her and Bo is so very swoony. All the secondary characters are well drawn and getting to know them all is super fun.
Being me, I would’ve loved a little epilogue to tie everything up neatly, but I see why it wasn’t needed in this case, and we get to be hopeful about the possibilities for Will’s life to come. My heart is full after reading this book
This is one of those books which I have no idea how to review. All I can say is it was feel good and hopeful and everything I’d want in a YA novel, while being incredibly relatable, even for the non YA population.
Willowdean is complicated, flawed, and real as all get out. I loved the nuanced portrayal of her relationships with everyone around her, including her mom, friends, boys, and her late aunt who is the greatest presence in her life. The budding romance between her and Bo is so very swoony. All the secondary characters are well drawn and getting to know them all is super fun.
Being me, I would’ve loved a little epilogue to tie everything up neatly, but I see why it wasn’t needed in this case, and we get to be hopeful about the possibilities for Will’s life to come. My heart is full after reading this book
Gosh I enjoyed this so much! But I wanted more from the ending though :(
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated