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3.03 AVERAGE
3.03 AVERAGE
I read up to the part where their perfect baby was born AND I JUST COULD NOT. This poor child is already depressed..... No. Just no. She's already sad about being chubby. This is going back to Savers.
Damn! This books is as horrible as I remember. It's a very long pity-party about a plus-size woman who had spent her entire life being picked on by her parents, and being compared to her much more slender and younger sister. The story goes on and on with how Victoria, the main character, feels sad about being fat and how she eats when she gets depress. She constantly complains about how rotten her parents are to her; constantly talks about how much she loves her sister (almsot to the point of sounding like she was in love with her sister); and whining about how she couldn't find a man to love her because she was too big. Victoria's problem is that she doesn't try to be happy, and comes off as envious toward her sister. *Sigh*
Two items of full disclosure: 1) I picked up this audio CD because I thought I had the paperback in my To Read stack of books. Turns out that is a different book entirely, [b:Good in Bed|14748|Good in Bed (Cannie Shapiro, #1)|Jennifer Weiner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327936464s/14748.jpg|2796838]. I figured it out partway through, but decided to keep going, mostly due to my laziness (it was a PIA to get all those CDs properly into iTunes). 2) I didn't finish the entire thing. I fully listened to about chapter 20/21, and then I greatly skimmed until the end.
My first irritation began right away, when I imported all 9 CDs into iTunes. I've experienced some errors and annoyances with other audio books, but none had as many weird issues as this one. First, while the author is Danielle Steel, FIVE other authors were listed on the various CDs. OK, looking up this book by author will be a pain. How about looking it up by title? While that is easier, there are still two titles, Big Girl and DS24-Big Girl, and the album numbers are all screwed up too. SHEESH. Please, publishers...TEST YOUR CDs!!! If I could tell right away it was wrong, so can you. *grunt*
EDIT: I had forgotten another annoyance with how these CDs are setup---ALL of the tracks are less than a minute long! This makes for a excessive number of tracks per disc. Boooo!
Beyond that, the main character is whiny, annoying and pathetic throughout most of the story. I got so tired of hearing about her issues with her parents, and with ice cream, and how unfulfilled she was without a MAN in her life. *eye roll* The story is horribly repetitive and extremely trite and I am so glad to be DONE with it!!
My first irritation began right away, when I imported all 9 CDs into iTunes. I've experienced some errors and annoyances with other audio books, but none had as many weird issues as this one. First, while the author is Danielle Steel, FIVE other authors were listed on the various CDs. OK, looking up this book by author will be a pain. How about looking it up by title? While that is easier, there are still two titles, Big Girl and DS24-Big Girl, and the album numbers are all screwed up too. SHEESH. Please, publishers...TEST YOUR CDs!!! If I could tell right away it was wrong, so can you. *grunt*
EDIT: I had forgotten another annoyance with how these CDs are setup---ALL of the tracks are less than a minute long! This makes for a excessive number of tracks per disc. Boooo!
Beyond that, the main character is whiny, annoying and pathetic throughout most of the story. I got so tired of hearing about her issues with her parents, and with ice cream, and how unfulfilled she was without a MAN in her life. *eye roll* The story is horribly repetitive and extremely trite and I am so glad to be DONE with it!!
While reading this book, it reminded me of my older sister a lot. They had something in common as a sister, but not her life story. This is only my second time reading a Danielle Steel book, and the first one made me an oath that I will not read any Danielle Steel books again because they are not for me. Anyway, everyone deserves second chances.
I honestly enjoyed this book.
Victoria is a big girl since birth with parents who emotionally abuse her (and doesn't even have a single clue about it). Instead of hating her parents big time, she hated herself. She's been through weight issues and man problems all because of her parent's harsh words.
She has a younger sister who's the complete opposite of her but despite that, Victoria adores her and protects her and loves her unconditionally.
I really think it may have suck with her parents, but she's pretty blessed with friends. Her friends always put her spirits up and she should rely on those words more rather than her parents' nonstop insults.
I just hate that Victoria can stand up against her parents with her job, her decisions, her lovelife, but she can never stand up for her appearance. It always says there that she was afraid of her parents controlling over Gracie's life though she's the one living in their words. And I hate it that she never dealt with it, confront it with them, she just console her friends and a therapist.
That's pretty much it, since it is repetitive and I agree with that. But I gotta admit that I enjoyed the book. I just find the ending a little disappointing, because all throughout the book it was all about how miserable her life is, so I was expecting that it would end in a way she would face it and feel good about it and shout to the whole world that she doesn't care anymore. Something like that... but she got the man .. so ok.
I honestly enjoyed this book.
Victoria is a big girl since birth with parents who emotionally abuse her (and doesn't even have a single clue about it). Instead of hating her parents big time, she hated herself. She's been through weight issues and man problems all because of her parent's harsh words.
She has a younger sister who's the complete opposite of her but despite that, Victoria adores her and protects her and loves her unconditionally.
I really think it may have suck with her parents, but she's pretty blessed with friends. Her friends always put her spirits up and she should rely on those words more rather than her parents' nonstop insults.
I just hate that Victoria can stand up against her parents with her job, her decisions, her lovelife, but she can never stand up for her appearance. It always says there that she was afraid of her parents controlling over Gracie's life though she's the one living in their words. And I hate it that she never dealt with it, confront it with them, she just console her friends and a therapist.
That's pretty much it, since it is repetitive and I agree with that. But I gotta admit that I enjoyed the book. I just find the ending a little disappointing, because all throughout the book it was all about how miserable her life is, so I was expecting that it would end in a way she would face it and feel good about it and shout to the whole world that she doesn't care anymore. Something like that... but she got the man .. so ok.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I actually am pleased with how this book ended. I do think there were problematic parts, but the overall message was positive.
What I didn't like:
- the narrator POV was confusing and not consistent, and made the focus unclear in parts.
- I wish the author had left out clothing sizes when talking about weight loss and gain. everyone can relate to losing a few or gaining a few pounds but as soon as you say she went from a 12 to a 14 (well not only is that not a fat person, just average) but it distracts and makes it not as relatable.
What I did like:
- the failures and life experiences Victoria went through felt very relatable and realistic while still adding drama to the narrative
- Victoria's support system of people who loved her as is and empowered her to find a life she was happy with.
- the emphasis on her partner not solving her problems but giving her confidence to solve them herself
What I didn't like:
- the narrator POV was confusing and not consistent, and made the focus unclear in parts.
- I wish the author had left out clothing sizes when talking about weight loss and gain. everyone can relate to losing a few or gaining a few pounds but as soon as you say she went from a 12 to a 14 (well not only is that not a fat person, just average) but it distracts and makes it not as relatable.
What I did like:
- the failures and life experiences Victoria went through felt very relatable and realistic while still adding drama to the narrative
- Victoria's support system of people who loved her as is and empowered her to find a life she was happy with.
- the emphasis on her partner not solving her problems but giving her confidence to solve them herself
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Eating disorder, Misogyny
Minor: Child death, Death, Homophobia
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Damn! This books is as horrible as I remember. It's a very long pity-party about a plus-size woman who had spent her entire life being picked on by her parents, and being compared to her much more slender and younger sister. The story goes on and on with how Victoria, the main character, feels sad about being fat and how she eats when she gets depress. She constantly complains about how rotten her parents are to her; constantly talks about how much she loves her sister (almsot to the point of sounding like she was in love with her sister); and whining about how she couldn't find a man to love her because she was too big. Victoria's problem is that she doesn't try to be happy, and comes off as envious toward her sister. *Sigh*
How do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways...
I must admit, this was my first Danielle Steele. I can promise -- if any of her others are remotely close to BIG GIRL, it will definitely be my last.
Where do I begin? For starters, I feel like Ms. Steel has been locked away in some backwards universe without any social contact for --- eh, 50 years, maybe? Then one bright sunny day she walked outside and thought, hmmm, nothing's changed! AMAZING! Time to write a book that will really appeal to the masses!
I mean, geez, talk about weak women. Women with no backbone. Women that let men walk all over them, without shame.
And, OMG, the character of Victoria is RIDICULOUS. We're supposed to believe that she's extremely tall with gorgeous, long legs and stunning blonde hair and "too big" breasts, but she's bullied and teased because she's not pretty by society's standards. RIGHT, because last I checked, society really had a thing against tall leggy blondes with big boobs.
Oh, but wait. She's overweight. Like, downright obese. THAT's why she's teased. Except... oh... we find out later she's something like 12-15 pounds heavier than the ideal. Like anyone would even notice that on a tall, leggy, big-boobed, blonde right?
But, kids, there is a lesson to be learned here. If you do WHATEVER it takes to lose weight, you will find a man and he will fall in love with you.
But, of course, he loves you for what you are deep down inside. The rest is just a coincidence.
Oh, and as an aside, if you're wondering about the writing style of this one... remember those old-school Dick and Jane novels? See Dick run. See Jane run. That about sums it up.
I must admit, this was my first Danielle Steele. I can promise -- if any of her others are remotely close to BIG GIRL, it will definitely be my last.
Where do I begin? For starters, I feel like Ms. Steel has been locked away in some backwards universe without any social contact for --- eh, 50 years, maybe? Then one bright sunny day she walked outside and thought, hmmm, nothing's changed! AMAZING! Time to write a book that will really appeal to the masses!
I mean, geez, talk about weak women. Women with no backbone. Women that let men walk all over them, without shame.
And, OMG, the character of Victoria is RIDICULOUS. We're supposed to believe that she's extremely tall with gorgeous, long legs and stunning blonde hair and "too big" breasts, but she's bullied and teased because she's not pretty by society's standards. RIGHT, because last I checked, society really had a thing against tall leggy blondes with big boobs.
Oh, but wait. She's overweight. Like, downright obese. THAT's why she's teased. Except... oh... we find out later she's something like 12-15 pounds heavier than the ideal. Like anyone would even notice that on a tall, leggy, big-boobed, blonde right?
But, kids, there is a lesson to be learned here. If you do WHATEVER it takes to lose weight, you will find a man and he will fall in love with you.
But, of course, he loves you for what you are deep down inside. The rest is just a coincidence.
Oh, and as an aside, if you're wondering about the writing style of this one... remember those old-school Dick and Jane novels? See Dick run. See Jane run. That about sums it up.