A review by krin
Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Rounding up to five stars. Big Girl is a compelling coming of age story following Malaya through two time periods (around 8 years old and then mid teens). The book brings readers to Harlem in the 1990s up through the earlier periods of gentrification. I guess technically that makes it historical fiction but since I grew up in the nineties that seems wild to me! 

The writing is lyrical, mostly narrative with minimal dialogue, giving us a deep insight into Malaya's experience from a close third person POV. This is definitely a low plot, high character development kind of book but the story carries you along beautifully. The most prominent theme of the book involves a lot of food and body shaming which can be hard to read, especially when Malaya was only eight. Yet, it all rings very true and it's an important story to hear. There are also themes of race, family, intergenerational trauma, community and the roles women are expected to play. 

The author has the way of sticking in memorable little tidbits of wisdom that make you say "huh!" out loud. Often these tidbits come from secondary characters - all of whom are so brightly written and developed that I would read stories about any one of them! 

It might be mildly spoilery to say this but, after dealing with a lot of heaviness throughout the book, it's a relief that it ends on such a hopeful note with Malaya finally being empowered to take up space.

The narrator is excellent with a melodious and captivating voice. 

Content warning for all kinds of fat shaming, food shaming and the type of disordered eating that is the result of all the types of things you could imagine happening in the 1990s. 

I received an audio Advanced Review Copy from Net Galley and HighBridge Audio in exchange for an honest review. 
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