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Through Thick and Thin: My Autobiography
Inspirational autobiography by every woman's favourite, Gok Wan. With his infectious energy and charisma, Gok Wan has an incredible gift of making women feel more confident within themselves -- but it's not until you read his own inspirational story that you find out where he got that gift from.
Gok grew up on a Leicester housing estate, with a loving family who ran a Chinese restaurant. For his parents, food meant love -- and Gok was so well loved that by the time he was a teenager he weighed 21 stone. Being Asian and gay as well, Gok felt lonely and out of place. He was an easy target for bullies and suffered terribly at their hands.
In a moment of inspiration, he decided to reinvent himself with his first style makeover and a larger-than-life personality to go with it. But his next move was to lose a devastating ten stone in nine months. In Through Thick and Thin , for the first time, Gok reveals all about that life changing period.
The lessons Gok learnt during this time helped him bounce back to become a stylist to the stars, every woman's best friend and a national treasure. In this intimate memoir Gok tells his full story in his own words. Whether he's recounting the horrors of childhood bullying or riotous anecdotes about his loving family, behind the scenes in the fashion world or TV shows, Gok's voice jumps off the page with all the honesty, wit and warmth we've come to know and love him for.
Gok grew up on a Leicester housing estate, with a loving family who ran a Chinese restaurant. For his parents, food meant love -- and Gok was so well loved that by the time he was a teenager he weighed 21 stone. Being Asian and gay as well, Gok felt lonely and out of place. He was an easy target for bullies and suffered terribly at their hands.
In a moment of inspiration, he decided to reinvent himself with his first style makeover and a larger-than-life personality to go with it. But his next move was to lose a devastating ten stone in nine months. In Through Thick and Thin , for the first time, Gok reveals all about that life changing period.
The lessons Gok learnt during this time helped him bounce back to become a stylist to the stars, every woman's best friend and a national treasure. In this intimate memoir Gok tells his full story in his own words. Whether he's recounting the horrors of childhood bullying or riotous anecdotes about his loving family, behind the scenes in the fashion world or TV shows, Gok's voice jumps off the page with all the honesty, wit and warmth we've come to know and love him for.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2010
22 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
November 18, 2012
Everyone benefits from a good, quick read every now and again and this book is no exception. It took me the best part of a ‘reading day’ to get through it and I enjoyed it as a light and interesting autobiography.
Gok Wan is infamous in the UK and beyond for his prowess in sorting out fashion issues and for helping woman of various guises and sizes to embrace their figures and dress accordingly. You learn from the book that this body image knowledge and positivity comes from Wan’s own personal history and that his childhood and teen to early adulthood years were blighted by overeating, bullying and then subsequently by self-controlled starvation and anorexia. What is interesting about the tone of the book is that Wan doesn’t come over all maudlin when describing his issues. As he paints a well-established loving family background with hardworking, loving parents from different races, he also talks about himself being ‘different’ and his trials of self-acceptance and self-loving against the odds. His narrative tone is very matter of fact and the reader assumes a very honest portrayal of Wan’s struggle to make something of his life and of himself.
I’ve noticed that many other reviewers cite that Wan is not ‘a very good writer’. I disagree and found that the book matched my expectations completely. I never expected (or wanted) this book to be a piece of great social art of Zola-esque proportions but it more than suffices as a decent read on current celebrity/media culture. It’s a shame that there are some very simple grammatical and lexical mistakes (I winced when I read ‘she had a great flare’ instead of ‘she had a great flair’ (I certainly don’t think he was on about trousers here!)) but ultimately these are publishing errors and I find these throughout all the books I read.
I would recommend the book to all those who have a little bit left in their heart to embrace celebrity culture as well as to any lover of general autobiographies. Gok, is has to be said, is a little bit of a ‘one off’ and whilst some may write him off as a bit of a media darling, I personally think there is enough heart and talent there to warrant a read.
Gok Wan is infamous in the UK and beyond for his prowess in sorting out fashion issues and for helping woman of various guises and sizes to embrace their figures and dress accordingly. You learn from the book that this body image knowledge and positivity comes from Wan’s own personal history and that his childhood and teen to early adulthood years were blighted by overeating, bullying and then subsequently by self-controlled starvation and anorexia. What is interesting about the tone of the book is that Wan doesn’t come over all maudlin when describing his issues. As he paints a well-established loving family background with hardworking, loving parents from different races, he also talks about himself being ‘different’ and his trials of self-acceptance and self-loving against the odds. His narrative tone is very matter of fact and the reader assumes a very honest portrayal of Wan’s struggle to make something of his life and of himself.
I’ve noticed that many other reviewers cite that Wan is not ‘a very good writer’. I disagree and found that the book matched my expectations completely. I never expected (or wanted) this book to be a piece of great social art of Zola-esque proportions but it more than suffices as a decent read on current celebrity/media culture. It’s a shame that there are some very simple grammatical and lexical mistakes (I winced when I read ‘she had a great flare’ instead of ‘she had a great flair’ (I certainly don’t think he was on about trousers here!)) but ultimately these are publishing errors and I find these throughout all the books I read.
I would recommend the book to all those who have a little bit left in their heart to embrace celebrity culture as well as to any lover of general autobiographies. Gok, is has to be said, is a little bit of a ‘one off’ and whilst some may write him off as a bit of a media darling, I personally think there is enough heart and talent there to warrant a read.
July 16, 2012
I just finished this book and I loved every page of it. I have never seen any of his shows or read his other books but after seeing an interview of him when he was in NZ I instantly regretted not going to meet him at a live show. He sounded so down to earth and knew what he was talking about. So since them I needed to read his books and decided to start with the autobiography. I was so excited to read it that I finished it in two days. This book is so inspiring and is a book that will make you look at things differently. Throughout the book you read about all his struggles and how he got to where he is today. I loved seeing how much he cares for his family and friends.
I don't think I would have picked up this book if I didn't see the interview with him but since then I am obsessed. It just goes to show, don't judge a book by it's cover because you never know how much it could change your perspective on things. It has honestly inspired me so much and made me want to start living the life I want.
I don't think I would have picked up this book if I didn't see the interview with him but since then I am obsessed. It just goes to show, don't judge a book by it's cover because you never know how much it could change your perspective on things. It has honestly inspired me so much and made me want to start living the life I want.
April 9, 2012
This book has inspired me at times to realise that I may have faults, but to remember there are people in my life who do love and appreciate me. Gok Wan, one of my favourite television presenters, fashion guru's and beauty stylist is someone I look up to in my life and can relate thoughts and experiences with. He describes his struggle growing up, being accepted and the feeling of self-hatred and worthlessness that makes me cry and feel so upset reading about. He also discusses how he raised to his fame, from becoming a Body Shop worker into a nations-phenomenon within the fashion world. A really good book, with a lot of healthy messages that will encourage teenagers and even older women to carry on through struggle with their life. It taught me something.
December 15, 2021
Kto oglądał program "Jak dobrze wyglądać nago" ?
Powiem Wam szczerze że uwielbiałam ten program i samego prowadzącego czyli Goka .
Zarażał tym swoim optymizmem i uwielbiałam patrzeć jak doradza kobietom jak się mają ubierać .
Więc gdy tylko zobaczyłam że jest książka-autobiografia Goka ,od razu ja zakupiłam .
Ale swoje na półce odczekała ;-) .
Jest to bardzo szczera autobiografia i Gok już na początku zaznacza ,że wszystko co opisuje to jest z jego punktu widzenia.
Mama pochodzi z Anglii , ojciec z Chin. Gok wychowywał się w Leicester .
Znam to miasto ,nawet tam byłam :-).
Ale wróćmy do książki . Gok nie miał łatwego dzieciństwa ,mimo że miał kochająca rodzinę to niestety w szkole dzieciaki dały mu "popalić" ,a wszystko przez ......nadwagę :-/ .
Jako młody chłopak walczył z tym i niestety nie zawsze sprawdzonymi sposobami co odbiło się na jego zdrowiu.
Uparty człowiek który dążył do upragnionego celu ,pracoholik ....co też odbiło się na jego zdrowiu .
Bardzo ambitny i pracowity człowiek.
Obawiał się bardzo jak jego ojciec odbierze wiadomość o tym że jest osobą homoseksualną .
Gok , projektant mody , stylista ,prezenter telewizyjny , aktor.
Więcej już nie zdradzę , zachęcam do sięgnięcia po książkę.
Powiem Wam szczerze że uwielbiałam ten program i samego prowadzącego czyli Goka .
Zarażał tym swoim optymizmem i uwielbiałam patrzeć jak doradza kobietom jak się mają ubierać .
Więc gdy tylko zobaczyłam że jest książka-autobiografia Goka ,od razu ja zakupiłam .
Ale swoje na półce odczekała ;-) .
Jest to bardzo szczera autobiografia i Gok już na początku zaznacza ,że wszystko co opisuje to jest z jego punktu widzenia.
Mama pochodzi z Anglii , ojciec z Chin. Gok wychowywał się w Leicester .
Znam to miasto ,nawet tam byłam :-).
Ale wróćmy do książki . Gok nie miał łatwego dzieciństwa ,mimo że miał kochająca rodzinę to niestety w szkole dzieciaki dały mu "popalić" ,a wszystko przez ......nadwagę :-/ .
Jako młody chłopak walczył z tym i niestety nie zawsze sprawdzonymi sposobami co odbiło się na jego zdrowiu.
Uparty człowiek który dążył do upragnionego celu ,pracoholik ....co też odbiło się na jego zdrowiu .
Bardzo ambitny i pracowity człowiek.
Obawiał się bardzo jak jego ojciec odbierze wiadomość o tym że jest osobą homoseksualną .
Gok , projektant mody , stylista ,prezenter telewizyjny , aktor.
Więcej już nie zdradzę , zachęcam do sięgnięcia po książkę.
July 20, 2011
I'd been curious about this book for ages, ever since I read an interview with Gok and he was asked about a memorable moment in his life. He said the most recent memorable moment was finishing this book. He had been in a hotel room in Thailand, wrote the final pages and was so elated he went out, found a bar and bought everyone in there a drink. I love that story, that's just what I want to do when I finish mine ;)
The book itself is quite an easy read, with simple and sparse prose, but surprisingly moving. He's been through a lot and is unflinchingly honest about those experiences, from being an obese teenager at the mercy of local bullies, to drama school in London and the battle with anorexia that followed, to finding his niche and the ups and downs of being a household name. In the book, as he does on television, he comes across as very genuine, and wanting to help others through times of adversity to find their own version of happiness and their place in the world. There is also a lot of love for his family and close friends that just shines through in his words. A nice read.
The book itself is quite an easy read, with simple and sparse prose, but surprisingly moving. He's been through a lot and is unflinchingly honest about those experiences, from being an obese teenager at the mercy of local bullies, to drama school in London and the battle with anorexia that followed, to finding his niche and the ups and downs of being a household name. In the book, as he does on television, he comes across as very genuine, and wanting to help others through times of adversity to find their own version of happiness and their place in the world. There is also a lot of love for his family and close friends that just shines through in his words. A nice read.
February 8, 2011
OK I actually listened to the audiobook version rather than read this but I think it still counts!! I am a bit of a Gok fan - I love the way he seems so comfortable with himself and with the women he works with - and I found this really enjoyable. I knew Gok Wan had been a big kid but didn't realise how deep his eating disorder had gone, to the point that he was close to dying at one stage. For the msot part, this book is a very modest account of Gok's struggle with food and determination to make a name for himself in the worlds of drama and fashion, and it works very well. Towards the end I did find the endless name dropping a little annoying, but I guess if I was working with such famous people I'd probably do the same!
August 5, 2012
What a joy it has been to see behind the Gok persona on tv and meet the real Kowkhyn. This is an honest, genuine walk through the life of a big personality who won my heart by being open to connecting with the women he has worked with on his Naked show. Ever since I first discovered Gok I have dreamed of having a 'Gok' all of my own to nurture me through my self esteem issues. With this and his other books it has felt like that is exactly what I have. Not only is my wardrobe better styled but I feel better about not succumbing to eating disorders to control my weight. I am a tummy bulging middle aged woman who holds her head high in my gorgeous gear thanks to this gorgeous man. Thanks for writing this Kowkhyn and thanks to Auntie Gok.
October 25, 2019
Wow Gok..I didn't realise he'd been through so much to get to where he is today. The bullying certainly brought back awful memories for me and i know where he's coming from.
Brilliant book and such a warm lovely man.. I especially loved the way he mentioned a little about each important person in his life at the end of a chapter by writing them a letter. also his recipes too..
Go Gok your Fabulous
Brilliant book and such a warm lovely man.. I especially loved the way he mentioned a little about each important person in his life at the end of a chapter by writing them a letter. also his recipes too..
Go Gok your Fabulous
July 24, 2012
I actually bought this for my mum who is Gok mad... but decided to read it before I gave it to her... :P
I managed to devour this book in one day. It's simple writing makes it a nice, easy read. It's amazing hearing about Gok's life growing up.
There are some points that made me cringe (his acting capabilities, or shall we call them moments of dishonesty??
But everyone has flaws and if that's the only one that made me cringe, then good on him.
He is an inspiration. :)
I managed to devour this book in one day. It's simple writing makes it a nice, easy read. It's amazing hearing about Gok's life growing up.
There are some points that made me cringe (his acting capabilities, or shall we call them moments of dishonesty??
But everyone has flaws and if that's the only one that made me cringe, then good on him.
He is an inspiration. :)
February 19, 2011
Really enjoyed this book - I like Gok anyway but this seemed to be written very honestly and he comes accross as such a lovely guy. Interesting to read about his early life and what he has been through to get where he is today - and I loved the letters he included to his parents etc. Couldn't put it down.
May 30, 2016
Really good book. A really interesting guy. So sad to hear his continuing struggle with Anorexia, but what an interesting life he's had to date, and he's only 37. Shame the book didn't really touch on his relationships, but I guess he wanted to keep that part of his life private. Brill book though. Loved the recipes too lol.
September 29, 2012
This was a beautiful book full of emotion and passion. I have learnt so much from Gok Wan and I believe him to be a hero, full of knowledge and power to make women and men all over the world feel great about themselves. It taught me that I must accept who I am. Its beautiful and I believe every women out their should read this book because in many ways it will connect to everyone of your hearts.
December 19, 2011
I always thought Gok Wan was very good on "How to look good naked" now I know why. He's walked a while in those women's shoes and made it out the other side. I appreciated his honesty and his wit.
May 30, 2023
Who hasn't seen the show "How to look good naked”? In Estonia it ran for many years on channel 11 when I was growing up. It was a show where Gok dressed women up and made them feel better about their bodies. To be honest, that's all I knew about Gok Wan before reading this book.
My colleague lent me the book and I am very glad that I finally started reading it. In the book, Gok tells the story from the beginning. His father is from China and mother from England. His different appearance made his school life very difficult. In addition, he had always been overweight and this caused a lot of discomfort at school. Gok is very stubborn and ready to do anything to reach his goal. He had a goal to get thin, so that everything could be easier. The fact that he stopped eating and did everything to lose weight put his life in danger. Reading his honest story about the disorder was very painful for me, as I myself have experienced it. It is very good that this serious disease is being talked about.
Also reading how hard it was for him to come out to his family was very hard reading. I really feel for people whose loved ones judge them because of it. I am sure that all these difficult situations have made him the kind of person we have been able to see on the TV screen. A person who is optimistic, loving and understanding.
This book was definitely a quick and enjoyable read.
My colleague lent me the book and I am very glad that I finally started reading it. In the book, Gok tells the story from the beginning. His father is from China and mother from England. His different appearance made his school life very difficult. In addition, he had always been overweight and this caused a lot of discomfort at school. Gok is very stubborn and ready to do anything to reach his goal. He had a goal to get thin, so that everything could be easier. The fact that he stopped eating and did everything to lose weight put his life in danger. Reading his honest story about the disorder was very painful for me, as I myself have experienced it. It is very good that this serious disease is being talked about.
Also reading how hard it was for him to come out to his family was very hard reading. I really feel for people whose loved ones judge them because of it. I am sure that all these difficult situations have made him the kind of person we have been able to see on the TV screen. A person who is optimistic, loving and understanding.
This book was definitely a quick and enjoyable read.
June 1, 2020
Loved this Auntie Gok!
I knew Gok had been on a weight loss journey. I just didn't know how and goodness did he suffer through it. I hope the bullies who attacked him, have grown into better people!
However I'm more delighted Gok worked through it, fights his demons and has become the Auntie Gok we all know and love. Great read 💜👌
I knew Gok had been on a weight loss journey. I just didn't know how and goodness did he suffer through it. I hope the bullies who attacked him, have grown into better people!
However I'm more delighted Gok worked through it, fights his demons and has become the Auntie Gok we all know and love. Great read 💜👌
June 30, 2019
Just thank you.
April 8, 2021
Awww love Gok already but this book is the icing on the cake. What an incredible man
October 27, 2018
I have always loved Gok Wan and one of the first channel 4 shows I remember watching with my mum were his especially How to look good naked, which was so positive to see as a girl of around 11 or 12 at the time.
I knew Gok was overweight as a child and lost a lot of weight in a short period of time but it was so interesting - and heartbreaking - to read his honest views and memories in regards to his relationship with food. It's always refreshing to read autobiographies and remind ourselves that so called "celebrities" are just human. Also it was hard but important to read that even at the height of his popularity he still had anorexic thoughts and his talk of his laxative abuse was so difficult to read about and I can't help but admire him for being so honest with his readers.
Goks writing protrays his characteristic humour and sass but also is so vulnerable and honest in regards to growing up and relationships with food, sexuality, loneliness, money issues, not really knowing what path you want to take in life as well as the fact that when you become famous it affects your whole family and you cannot get any of the private time that you took for granted before when shopping or out for a meal with family.
I'd definitely say even if you aren't really a big Gok fan I would pick up this book, especially if you're a teenager worried about life. Auntie Gok is there.
I knew Gok was overweight as a child and lost a lot of weight in a short period of time but it was so interesting - and heartbreaking - to read his honest views and memories in regards to his relationship with food. It's always refreshing to read autobiographies and remind ourselves that so called "celebrities" are just human. Also it was hard but important to read that even at the height of his popularity he still had anorexic thoughts and his talk of his laxative abuse was so difficult to read about and I can't help but admire him for being so honest with his readers.
Goks writing protrays his characteristic humour and sass but also is so vulnerable and honest in regards to growing up and relationships with food, sexuality, loneliness, money issues, not really knowing what path you want to take in life as well as the fact that when you become famous it affects your whole family and you cannot get any of the private time that you took for granted before when shopping or out for a meal with family.
I'd definitely say even if you aren't really a big Gok fan I would pick up this book, especially if you're a teenager worried about life. Auntie Gok is there.
August 7, 2012
I know, I know a celebrity autobiography. I succumbed! Even I was half expecting a 368 page long monologue about how tough his life was in drama school with no money and then one day BAM they're talent is realised that was there all along. BUT NO. This was not at all like that, heart-wrenching tale yes, but completely justified.
His start in life as a quite pudgy Chinese kid who was adored by his family quickly turned into a petrified obese teenager who felt terribly alone and petrified after some idiot threatens him. Drama unsurprisingly is the way he turns, psychologically it makes perfect sense. He develops an emotional rush and dependance on the positive reaction to his humour which is most brought out in Drama whilst simultaneously helping him forget his own failure by laying it at his characters door and not his true self.
Once he has earned a place a drama school however it all goes terribly wrong, his fear of failure goes into overdrive and he turns anorexic. But instead of using this horrific tale of food abuse to get as much sympathy as possible Gok uses a factual, light-hearted style that states his thoughts, feelings and actions without wringing you out. This, for me at least, made me truly feel for him and care for him as a person. Hope the best for his future, which slowly develops and is truly joyful to read.
I was so happy for him when things started to go right and he found a direction that I just couldn't stop reading. I was hooked! I found every excuse possible to keep reading to see how he got from the lowest self confidence I have ever heard of in a person to turning womens confidence from nothing to a healthy amount.
Even if you don't watch Gok or have any idea who he is his book is absolutely worth reading from a human interest perspective. I recommend to all, even people who hate autobiographies...
http://thehouseofliterarymirrors.blog...
His start in life as a quite pudgy Chinese kid who was adored by his family quickly turned into a petrified obese teenager who felt terribly alone and petrified after some idiot threatens him. Drama unsurprisingly is the way he turns, psychologically it makes perfect sense. He develops an emotional rush and dependance on the positive reaction to his humour which is most brought out in Drama whilst simultaneously helping him forget his own failure by laying it at his characters door and not his true self.
Once he has earned a place a drama school however it all goes terribly wrong, his fear of failure goes into overdrive and he turns anorexic. But instead of using this horrific tale of food abuse to get as much sympathy as possible Gok uses a factual, light-hearted style that states his thoughts, feelings and actions without wringing you out. This, for me at least, made me truly feel for him and care for him as a person. Hope the best for his future, which slowly develops and is truly joyful to read.
I was so happy for him when things started to go right and he found a direction that I just couldn't stop reading. I was hooked! I found every excuse possible to keep reading to see how he got from the lowest self confidence I have ever heard of in a person to turning womens confidence from nothing to a healthy amount.
Even if you don't watch Gok or have any idea who he is his book is absolutely worth reading from a human interest perspective. I recommend to all, even people who hate autobiographies...
http://thehouseofliterarymirrors.blog...
March 6, 2021
Absolutely love Gok and didn’t think could love him anymore but this book is amazing. Loved it. A proper diamond. So grateful for the honesty and sharing in this book, podcasts, shows, isolation nation. Total legend
February 28, 2016
This was very interesting. Really, all I knew about Gok was that he has an amazing voice (he does the westfield fashion ads here is Australia) and that he looked really tall. Sad but true. After reading this you realise how much he has been through and how he has worked so hard to overcome his issues (and how like so many of us these issues seem to hover in the background and never truly go away) but for all of it, he is still a very high spirited and happy person. I think it would be so lovely to meet him.
Favourite funnies (funny being that I laughed so hard when I read it) from the book:
"I was relieved that I didn't have to sing, as I was sure I was a rubbish singer (my memory of being downgraded to triangle basher at school had buried itself deep in my subconscious)."
"And Davina McCall hugged me so hard, I think I may have farted."
"One afternoon, after I had been hooked up to yet another bag of blood, I was lying in my room alone, feeling shattered, when I suddenly heard the most extra-ordinarily massive and endless fart coming from the next room. I think it was the longest, loudest fart possible for a human being to make. Just as I was coming to terms with that one, another came roaring out of the next room again: enormous and impressive!
I clambered out of bed with my dripes attached to each arm - one of saline and one of blood - grabbed the stands and wheeled them with me into the other room to tell off whoever it was. And there, in the room next to mine, was Sir Michael bloody Gambon.
"Dumbledore, you dirty bastard!" I said"
(Yes, I am low-brow enough to include fart stories but I think farts are funny!)
Favourite funnies (funny being that I laughed so hard when I read it) from the book:
"I was relieved that I didn't have to sing, as I was sure I was a rubbish singer (my memory of being downgraded to triangle basher at school had buried itself deep in my subconscious)."
"And Davina McCall hugged me so hard, I think I may have farted."
"One afternoon, after I had been hooked up to yet another bag of blood, I was lying in my room alone, feeling shattered, when I suddenly heard the most extra-ordinarily massive and endless fart coming from the next room. I think it was the longest, loudest fart possible for a human being to make. Just as I was coming to terms with that one, another came roaring out of the next room again: enormous and impressive!
I clambered out of bed with my dripes attached to each arm - one of saline and one of blood - grabbed the stands and wheeled them with me into the other room to tell off whoever it was. And there, in the room next to mine, was Sir Michael bloody Gambon.
"Dumbledore, you dirty bastard!" I said"
(Yes, I am low-brow enough to include fart stories but I think farts are funny!)
December 27, 2012
Having not listened to an audio book before (save for when I was a kid), I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy the format, so in hindsight this was a good one to start with as Gok himself was the narrator. For those not from the UK, Gok Wan is basically a camp Chinese guy who works wonders with women’s dress sense & body confidence, & I love him. I wasn’t expecting much from his autobiography though, as celebrity biographies are ten a penny these days & churned out by ghost writers in a matter of days (or so it seems). I’d seen a programme he did on telly a while back, about his own struggles with weight & body image, so I did expect a degree of honesty & openness, but what I got was more than I had anticipated. Gok delves into his struggles with self confidence, battles with eating & difficulties in finding his rightful place in the world on a deeper level than I would have expected. In many ways it was a risk to take whilst he’s still so very much in the spotlight, but I expect he is shrewd enough to know that the fans who love him do so because he has been as damaged as the rest of us & has turned it into a positive. The book isn’t flawless though – it isn’t ever going to win any literacy prizes, & sometimes I wondered if having Gok narrate it had a negative effect as there was no balance...but I guess the same could be said for all autobiographies. What it all boiled down to is that this was a fairly raw memoir, one which I really enjoyed & which only served to fuel my adoration for Gok!
August 25, 2015
I'm not usually an autobiography fan but I do love Gok Wan so I was excited to read through thick and thin.
Gok was one of 3 children who grew up in Leicester with a Chinese father and English mother. Food was big in his household and Gok was overweight for much of his childhood. The first part of his story was frank and endearing, things were tough and Gok was bullied and hung round with the wrong crowd.
Gok really wanted to be an actor and after a successful diploma he found himself in London at the Central school. After suffering anorexia Gok drops out and eventually makes a career as a make over artist, stylist and finally the presenter and star of TV we know today.
There was obviously much more going on at times than Gok let on, but I'm not sure if the stories were glossed over to save his embarrassment or the other peoples.
Overall I enjoyed the book. If you've ever seen "how to look good naked" you would understand what an amazing shows it is and how fabulous Gok is as a presenter. His empathy with the individual being styled is amazing and you can't watch a single show without being moved to tears. The message is its not what you have its how you use it. The programs with disabled people were beyond compare and were truly inspirational. Great book Gok xxxx
Gok was one of 3 children who grew up in Leicester with a Chinese father and English mother. Food was big in his household and Gok was overweight for much of his childhood. The first part of his story was frank and endearing, things were tough and Gok was bullied and hung round with the wrong crowd.
Gok really wanted to be an actor and after a successful diploma he found himself in London at the Central school. After suffering anorexia Gok drops out and eventually makes a career as a make over artist, stylist and finally the presenter and star of TV we know today.
There was obviously much more going on at times than Gok let on, but I'm not sure if the stories were glossed over to save his embarrassment or the other peoples.
Overall I enjoyed the book. If you've ever seen "how to look good naked" you would understand what an amazing shows it is and how fabulous Gok is as a presenter. His empathy with the individual being styled is amazing and you can't watch a single show without being moved to tears. The message is its not what you have its how you use it. The programs with disabled people were beyond compare and were truly inspirational. Great book Gok xxxx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2013
I have always been a massive great fan of Gok Wan and his programmes on Channel 4 and I also own some of his fashion books. I think he has done wonderful things for the women of Great Britain and their general confidence.
On TV he has always come across as a genuine, sincere, caring nice bloke and this is even more so apparent in his book. His story is heartfelt and you really hear his voice from childhood on through to adulthood in this book. He has come a long way from the obese unhappy child that he was to the dynamic fabulous style icon he is today. His story was full of sadness, loneliness, depression, pain, happiness, passion, determination, perseverance and finally success and I felt nothing but admiration and a great respect for the obstacles he has managed to overcome and the myths he has dispelled along the way.
I truly enjoyed this book, a glimpse into his world and was glad I got to "share his journey" with him.
A fantastic read and couldn't put it down until I finished it!
On TV he has always come across as a genuine, sincere, caring nice bloke and this is even more so apparent in his book. His story is heartfelt and you really hear his voice from childhood on through to adulthood in this book. He has come a long way from the obese unhappy child that he was to the dynamic fabulous style icon he is today. His story was full of sadness, loneliness, depression, pain, happiness, passion, determination, perseverance and finally success and I felt nothing but admiration and a great respect for the obstacles he has managed to overcome and the myths he has dispelled along the way.
I truly enjoyed this book, a glimpse into his world and was glad I got to "share his journey" with him.
A fantastic read and couldn't put it down until I finished it!
June 23, 2013
I decided to read this book, after I started watching Gok on how to look good naked, I at the time was suffering with my own eating disorder and wanted to do my own confidence boosting shoot when I got myself well again! This I was inspired by this tv show.
The book was ok, but a little bit of a let down for me if I am totally honest! I empathise with Gok's own food battles and totally understand his lack of confidence issues when losing a large amount of weight that then becomes problematic. I like the fact he admits it was not about being thin but having an eating disorder is much more about feeling in control of your life, or feeling that you are! Gok was incredibly lucky and seized the chances and opportunities that he was given and has done well for himself.
I give him 5 stars for the fact he is helping so many women, who are now the victim of the size zero epidemic sweeping the UK! Keep up the good work on this Gok. But as a writer I can only give a 3 stars.
The book was ok, but a little bit of a let down for me if I am totally honest! I empathise with Gok's own food battles and totally understand his lack of confidence issues when losing a large amount of weight that then becomes problematic. I like the fact he admits it was not about being thin but having an eating disorder is much more about feeling in control of your life, or feeling that you are! Gok was incredibly lucky and seized the chances and opportunities that he was given and has done well for himself.
I give him 5 stars for the fact he is helping so many women, who are now the victim of the size zero epidemic sweeping the UK! Keep up the good work on this Gok. But as a writer I can only give a 3 stars.
November 7, 2012
I've always liked Gok Wan, I have seen just about every episode of How To Look Good Naked and Gok's Fashion Fix, and when I seen his autobiography sat in WH Smiths I couldn't resist and I'm so glad I bought it! I read it in no time at all, I just didn't want to put it down. I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't like Gok (like my boyfriend) because I bet by the time they have finished reading it they would have changed their opinions of him.
Gok is very open about his struggles and problems he has been through in life and it makes my heart go out to him, it's also inspiring how he managed to overcome his troubles and work really hard to get to where he is today!
People will always try and put you down but what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
Go Gok :)
July 8, 2013
I was really excited and looking forward to read Gok's autobiography because I think he's so cool, and it was definitely worth the wait! Gok's style of writing is really easy to understand and also, has a way of touching the reader. He writes in a way that makes you feel whatever emotions he's writing about, for example, the part where he talks about his anorexia was really emotional and a little hard to read, because I could feel how he had felt going through that. The way he talks about his family and how much they love and support him was really sweet, and also it was very crazy to hear about some of the fans he's encountered! The only thing I could complain about was that there wasn't a chapter about him and Alan Carr getting together, lol! :D but maybe one day!
May 1, 2011
Gok Wan, presenter of the How to Look Good Naked television series, tells us his story of how he came to be where he is today. He describes his early years growing up in a housing estate in Leicester, practically living in his parent’s Chinese restaurant. As a teenager, being Asian, gay and, at one stage weighing 21 stone, Gok was an easy target for bullying.
Gok’s story of his battle with anorexia and how he reinvented himself is both humorous and touching. Truly inspirational and highly readable, Through Thick and Thin reads exactly the way Gok sounds when he is talking – so, thoroughly entertaining, but beware of the occasional F-bomb!
August 29, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, even though I was already a Gok fan this book has put him even higher up in my opinion.
The book follows him through his difficult years at school, and I am sure that most of us will be able to relate to the feelings he had due to the bullies that made his life so difficult and the fact that the feelings never really leave you even as an adult. There was so much of what was written that I could relate to which is why I found this book so good, Gok tells it as it feels without trying to portray the victim unnecessarily.
I really loved this book, however if you are not a Gok fan probably one to miss.
The book follows him through his difficult years at school, and I am sure that most of us will be able to relate to the feelings he had due to the bullies that made his life so difficult and the fact that the feelings never really leave you even as an adult. There was so much of what was written that I could relate to which is why I found this book so good, Gok tells it as it feels without trying to portray the victim unnecessarily.
I really loved this book, however if you are not a Gok fan probably one to miss.
June 18, 2012
This was the first book I read upon finishing my degree, choosing it because I wanted something entertaining and straightforward to read. The book was a brilliantly honest and frank account of his life, openly discussing his fight with anorexia. Something that surprised me while reading the book was his recollection of his food diary, with him surviving on spoonfuls of honey in order to stay thin. I heard Gok's voice throughout the entire book, laughing along with him as he discussed his rise to fame and excitement of styling All Saints. It's an easy book to read, yet one with a thoroughly enjoyable story.
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