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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Can’t believe I’ve never even heard of this! Everyone should read ❤️
Not the glimmer of body positivity I was hoping for. We see Brie’s bulimia recognized for what it is, but Virginia’s anorexia is never addressed—which is exactly the kind of real-world fatphobia that makes anorexia so deadly. (Not to mention the self-harm and suicidal ideation that she apparently just got over???) Virginia makes ‘lifestyle changes’ ‘for her health,’ perpetuating the notion that people just aren’t supposed to be fat. Furthermore, at one point her doctor says she’s ‘not obese’ which is a meaningless indicator of health anyway, but do you have any idea how easy it is to be “obese.” Literally she’s probably around a size 13. Sadly the most unrealistic part of the whole story was that a rapist on a college campus would have to face consequences.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't care for this book. It seemed to me that the overall message was trying for "your weight isn't everything" (which is a great message that I firmly believe in) but really missed the mark for me. It seemed to me that the message of loving yourself for who you are got lost in the numerous scenes where Virginia broke her toe in anger or burned her finger on a candle on purpose or yelled at her family members or otherwise demonstrated really unhealthy behaviors. She didn't truly acknowledge or seek help for her actual unhealthy behaviors. Yeah, she got away from them eventually, but most teens are not so lucky. If you want to check out a better book about dealing with issues like this, try Wintergirls or Speak. Also, no conclusion on Brie the bulimic? Virginia is perfectly aware that Brie is bulimic and getting worse and literally does nothing about it. As little help as she's getting, she's giving even less of it. Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes and everyone is deserving of help, love, and compassion.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
So glad I caught up on this one and excited for the sequel. So many honest moments of living in a round body - what people say, what we internalize, how things don't fit. And especially when we're trying to hide our very existence as if we've done something wrong by being fat.
I want it to feel dated and stereotypical - but I don't think it is. It's great to read Virginia take on her own life. And hurray for hair dye!
The day-to-day fatphobia was hard to read, but real, and I really appreciated that the doctor was more focused on well-being. On p. 179 she's losing weight because she's been busy doing stuff, so snacking less. And then kickboxing at the end. Moralistic note complete.
I want it to feel dated and stereotypical - but I don't think it is. It's great to read Virginia take on her own life. And hurray for hair dye!
Spoiler
And getting the guy!The day-to-day fatphobia was hard to read, but real, and I really appreciated that the doctor was more focused on well-being. On p. 179 she's losing weight because she's been busy doing stuff, so snacking less. And then kickboxing at the end. Moralistic note complete.
I read this for my Young Adult Lit class when I was in library school.
Loved it.
Loved it.
I would have loved to have this book in High School! I read this because it's one of the Top Ten Banned Books and I wanted to read a banned book during Banned Books Week.
