Been trying to find an honest review of this book. I agree with you, but maybe didn't find as many redeeming qualities. It definitely held my attention, it was entertaining and I enjoyed reading it but it just fell flat for me. I haven't read any of Broder's other works but from this one instance it seems like she is a fantastic writer, not so great at intentional storytelling. Her descriptions of food and life and sex were both beautiful and revolting and did bring a voice of honesty and depth, but the overall story was not developed in the slightest. This was It was poised as some kind of poignant intersection of love, lust, maternal yearning and ED's and self acceptance but none of the concepts were explored beyond a superficial introduction. I do think she was very true to Rachels perceptions of people in bigger bodies, but it was hard for me to finish the work with any sense of profound meaning as it centered on the main character objectifying a fat person and using her as a sex object in an apparently successful selfish attempt to heal herself. Your'e right that we weren't supposed to like Rachel, but it did feel like she was in a vacuum to the point that it felt unrealistic. Mariam showing up at her door crying and we never find out why, her "spiritual revelations" that come almost purely from her dreams and praying that her lover will sleep with her, her relationship with her mother that we only see in retrospect. The dots are never quite connected between her experiences and her own inner voice and self healing in any remarkable way. Her magically fast recovery. Overall it would have been a much better read if it were exactly the same but twice as long where each concept was actually fleshed out beyond a fat woman being the selfless superficial savior of a skinny conventionally attractive woman.
You really thought this through even more than me, I think. I absolutely agree with you on the book being rather superficial. Thinking of it now it didn't stay with me at all after I've read it. There are moments of grratness, but have all been swept under too many themes touched upon only slightly which made the overall impression of the book shallow. And the more I think of the portrayal of skinny-vs-fat, it doesn't feel genuine. Thank you for the comment!
just finished the book, love your review! i agree with a lot of your opinions :)
Been trying to find an honest review of this book. I agree with you, but maybe didn't find as many redeeming qualities. It definitely held my attention, it was entertaining and I enjoyed reading it but it just fell flat for me. I haven't read any of Broder's other works but from this one instance it seems like she is a fantastic writer, not so great at intentional storytelling. Her descriptions of food and life and sex were both beautiful and revolting and did bring a voice of honesty and depth, but the overall story was not developed in the slightest. This was It was poised as some kind of poignant intersection of love, lust, maternal yearning and ED's and self acceptance but none of the concepts were explored beyond a superficial introduction. I do think she was very true to Rachels perceptions of people in bigger bodies, but it was hard for me to finish the work with any sense of profound meaning as it centered on the main character objectifying a fat person and using her as a sex object in an apparently successful selfish attempt to heal herself. Your'e right that we weren't supposed to like Rachel, but it did feel like she was in a vacuum to the point that it felt unrealistic. Mariam showing up at her door crying and we never find out why, her "spiritual revelations" that come almost purely from her dreams and praying that her lover will sleep with her, her relationship with her mother that we only see in retrospect. The dots are never quite connected between her experiences and her own inner voice and self healing in any remarkable way. Her magically fast recovery. Overall it would have been a much better read if it were exactly the same but twice as long where each concept was actually fleshed out beyond a fat woman being the selfless superficial savior of a skinny conventionally attractive woman.
You really thought this through even more than me, I think. I absolutely agree with you on the book being rather superficial. Thinking of it now it didn't stay with me at all after I've read it. There are moments of grratness, but have all been swept under too many themes touched upon only slightly which made the overall impression of the book shallow. And the more I think of the portrayal of skinny-vs-fat, it doesn't feel genuine. Thank you for the comment!
Please warn of spoilers 😭
sorry!! :0 If it's any consolation, this book is more about the vibe, not so much the plot. But sorry! :(((