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aubreyfrogger's review
2.0
Even though I'm a fat girl, I guess this book is not for me. I thought it would help me feel better about myself, but I just felt like their experiences were so vastly different from mine that I couldn't relate.
I would not call this a bad book. I would only say that it was not for me. The rating is my personal one.
I would not call this a bad book. I would only say that it was not for me. The rating is my personal one.
tylertylertyler's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free ecopy of this from NetGalley.
I have to admit, I picked this ebook completely on a whim. It didn't speak to me personally, exactly, but I was extremely curious, especially as I agree with the general message that this book aims to send. It's about being comfortable with yourself regardless of weight or sexuality or how you express yourself. It's about confidence. And that's why I ended up liking it, over all, and thinking to myself that what Flores and her husband are doing is a great thing.
"Slowly I realized that the happiness I wanted to feel inside would not magically come if I lost weight."
And that's the line, right in the introduction, that really spoke to me and I think it really gets at the message of the book.
The photography itself is gorgeous: there are a lot of stunning shots, and I remember one of her at the beach grinning wide as the one that spoke to me the most. After all the earlier depression she'd described as having faced in her youth, here she was completely and genuinely happy and comfortable with herself.
Now, not all the photography was to my taste by any means, though a lot of it I expected simply because of the nature of her work. I was uncertain of a few shots, though mostly for personal reasons. But Flores herself looked gorgeous and happy and confident, and I think that's what matters most.
I have to admit, I picked this ebook completely on a whim. It didn't speak to me personally, exactly, but I was extremely curious, especially as I agree with the general message that this book aims to send. It's about being comfortable with yourself regardless of weight or sexuality or how you express yourself. It's about confidence. And that's why I ended up liking it, over all, and thinking to myself that what Flores and her husband are doing is a great thing.
"Slowly I realized that the happiness I wanted to feel inside would not magically come if I lost weight."
And that's the line, right in the introduction, that really spoke to me and I think it really gets at the message of the book.
The photography itself is gorgeous: there are a lot of stunning shots, and I remember one of her at the beach grinning wide as the one that spoke to me the most. After all the earlier depression she'd described as having faced in her youth, here she was completely and genuinely happy and comfortable with herself.
Now, not all the photography was to my taste by any means, though a lot of it I expected simply because of the nature of her work. I was uncertain of a few shots, though mostly for personal reasons. But Flores herself looked gorgeous and happy and confident, and I think that's what matters most.
aashkevr's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free electronic copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book more for what it tried to be then for what it actually was.
"Fat Girl" is a photo book featuring lovely plus size model and porn actress April Flores. The photos are taken by her husband, and there is a great deal of loving attention in them. Well, some of them. It is clear that the two have a healthy sexual appetite and an appreciation for the charms of the body.
The most interesting part of the book were the blurbs in between photos. The written explanations of why these photos meant something were very compelling and often quite intelligent and moving commentaries on culture, perception and body-image. April's opinions about nudity, sex, sensuality, the body and the representation of the body were really thought-provoking.
I loved the ideas of boundary-pushing and her feelings about the implications of the photos.
However, I didn't feel that, for the most part, the photos were what she thought they were. I didn't see the things she discussed in them. They seemed less avant-garde and socially relevant than her words made them out to be. They seemed to be "just" photos. This made them almost disappointing.
Despite this, Flores does show the erotic potential of the plus-size form. But some of the boundary-pushing photos fail on this count as well. So, the photos are a mixed bag, but the book as a whole is definitely worth checking out.
I liked this book more for what it tried to be then for what it actually was.
"Fat Girl" is a photo book featuring lovely plus size model and porn actress April Flores. The photos are taken by her husband, and there is a great deal of loving attention in them. Well, some of them. It is clear that the two have a healthy sexual appetite and an appreciation for the charms of the body.
The most interesting part of the book were the blurbs in between photos. The written explanations of why these photos meant something were very compelling and often quite intelligent and moving commentaries on culture, perception and body-image. April's opinions about nudity, sex, sensuality, the body and the representation of the body were really thought-provoking.
I loved the ideas of boundary-pushing and her feelings about the implications of the photos.
However, I didn't feel that, for the most part, the photos were what she thought they were. I didn't see the things she discussed in them. They seemed less avant-garde and socially relevant than her words made them out to be. They seemed to be "just" photos. This made them almost disappointing.
Despite this, Flores does show the erotic potential of the plus-size form. But some of the boundary-pushing photos fail on this count as well. So, the photos are a mixed bag, but the book as a whole is definitely worth checking out.
oohsarracuda's review
2.0
I'm only one essay in, but so far, this needed better editing. Slamming on "breaks" instead of "brakes"? Come on. And don't fear the comma! It's necessary!
I've been fat-positive and a fat activist for well over a decade now, so I thought I would love this book. I didn't. It did nothing for me. Perhaps if I was still new to fat acceptance it would have set me aflame, but I'm not, and this book was a struggle for me to finish. It was poorly edited, but that wasn't it. The writing wasn't always great, the stories weren't particularly inspiring (for me), and the book didn't resonate. Perhaps I no longer need my stretch marks to be tiger stripes or my fat rolls to be a battle cry, because I already know that living in the world in my unapologetic fat body is radical and revolutionary. Perhaps I don't want to read graphic descriptions of child masturbation in a book of fat-positive essays. Perhaps it's really fucking irritating that the only two words we can apparently use to describe fat bodies are "fierce" and "fabulous" (seriously, almost every essay used these adjectives and these adjectives only). Perhaps insisting that every fat woman (excuse me, "girl") be "fierce" and "fabulous" is reductive and excluding. Perhaps referring to grown-ass women as "girls" is appalling and gross. Perhaps classism and a blindness to the consequences of consumerist fashion culture is a huge turn-off. Perhaps it was all of those things and more. Regardless, this one's being donated to a used book store or Goodwill.
I've been fat-positive and a fat activist for well over a decade now, so I thought I would love this book. I didn't. It did nothing for me. Perhaps if I was still new to fat acceptance it would have set me aflame, but I'm not, and this book was a struggle for me to finish. It was poorly edited, but that wasn't it. The writing wasn't always great, the stories weren't particularly inspiring (for me), and the book didn't resonate. Perhaps I no longer need my stretch marks to be tiger stripes or my fat rolls to be a battle cry, because I already know that living in the world in my unapologetic fat body is radical and revolutionary. Perhaps I don't want to read graphic descriptions of child masturbation in a book of fat-positive essays. Perhaps it's really fucking irritating that the only two words we can apparently use to describe fat bodies are "fierce" and "fabulous" (seriously, almost every essay used these adjectives and these adjectives only). Perhaps insisting that every fat woman (excuse me, "girl") be "fierce" and "fabulous" is reductive and excluding. Perhaps referring to grown-ass women as "girls" is appalling and gross. Perhaps classism and a blindness to the consequences of consumerist fashion culture is a huge turn-off. Perhaps it was all of those things and more. Regardless, this one's being donated to a used book store or Goodwill.
thecatwood's review
5.0
Granted, I'm a little biased towards this collection being that I'm a contributing author. But I was overwhelmingly impressed with the quality of writing in Hot & Heavy, and the insights of the other essayists. Virgie Tovar, high priestess of radical self love and glittery shoes, has a skill at making defiant body politics both seductive and empowering.
myrainbowrobot's review
5.0
This book is simultaneously exciting, empowering, sexy, heartbreaking, nostalgic, enlightening, and all around wonderful. A must for any fabulous fat lady!
whosbradpitt's review
3.0
This is the first body positive book I've read, and oh was it a breath of fresh air while dealing with the atrocity Eat Bacon, Don't Jog! I think it makes a good starting point and I like the idea of it. The execution could have been improved.
First, as a lot of the reviews here say, the stories got repetitive, and quickly. I think it might have been better if I'd read a story a day or something instead of trying to read it in large chunks.
The stories went a little something like this: I am ____, I am fat, I am proud now of my body but I used to be ashamed, here's a little bit of what changed my mind, it was hard but my life is so much better now.
There was a little variation, and some of the authors were better than others. I could have done without the explicit sex essay, but I understand that's just personal preference and I actually kind of think the collection was better for it (variety, you know?)
I don't know that I'd read it again, but it was worth reading once!
First, as a lot of the reviews here say, the stories got repetitive, and quickly. I think it might have been better if I'd read a story a day or something instead of trying to read it in large chunks.
The stories went a little something like this: I am ____, I am fat, I am proud now of my body but I used to be ashamed, here's a little bit of what changed my mind, it was hard but my life is so much better now.
There was a little variation, and some of the authors were better than others. I could have done without the explicit sex essay, but I understand that's just personal preference and I actually kind of think the collection was better for it (variety, you know?)
I don't know that I'd read it again, but it was worth reading once!
glassesgirl79's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting in that I would classify it as part biography, part female empowerment book, part porno. I like the altering between written word and the photos. Some readers will be offended by this book(due to the graphic photos), some will be aroused and some will be in awe of a woman clearly comfortable with her body regardless of what size it is or what others think. Overall I feel this book is uplifting and a good example of a women owning who she is (a fat girl) despite the negative labels that society puts on her.