Fat Chance: My Life in Ups, Downs and Crisp Sandwiches

by Louise McSharry

'A ballsy paean to self-determination and body confidence ... will leave you dizzy but exhilarated ... if you read one heart-breaking yet bouncy true-life memoir this year, make sure it's this one' Sunday TimesLouise McSharry's passion is to talk to young women (and the men who love them) about being a woman in the modern world.Drawing on her own thirtysomething years of life, in her memoir Fat Chance she writes about everything from surviving a messed up childhood, to crashing out of education and still making it, to figuring out sex, weight, feminism, make-up, friendship, workplace politics and a whole lot more.Though she has the raw material (the early death of her father; her mother's descent into alcoholism; cancer) it was impossible for Louise to write a miserable book. So, though it has its sad moments, Fat Chance is honest, upbeat, irreverent and inspirational - just like a long chat with a best friend. A fabulous, funny and wise best friend!'An absolutely stunning piece of work ... just a fantastic book' Roisin Ingle, Irish Times'A brave, heart-breaking yet sometimes funny account of a life full of the issues all women encounter but rarely admit out loud' Examiner'An open and honest straight-shooting chronicle of a rollercoaster life' RTE Guide'Heartbreakingly honest. A sharp, well-observed, and ultimately inspirational read. Every woman should read this book' Louise O'Neill'Louise's life reads like a thriller - I had goose-bumps throughout! Brave, funny, emotional and totally relatable' Roz Purcell'Hugely enjoyable. So honest and insightful. I loved the positivity and the REALNESS!' Una Mullaly'Both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Vividly raw and surprisingly visceral' Angela Scanlon'Searingly honest' Daily Star'Funny and heart-breaking' Sunday Mirror'I LOVED your book ... you are inspirational!' Marian Keyes, Twitter'Loved your book. I feel like you've been writing me incredibly personal letters and that we're now best friends' Shirley Temple Bar, Twitter'I recommend it to EVERYONE. Really warm, witty and wise' Fatti Burke, Twitter'A mighty woman, with cojones the size of Mexico and coolness in the face of adversity not seen since John Wayne's heyday' Irish Independent'She's a straight shooter, honest and to the point' The Herald

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2016

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise McSharry is an Irish radio presenter. She has become more well-known in recent times after her honest and open interviews and documentary about her experience with cancer. To me, she is the person who introduced me to Chvrches and London Grammar. Thanks, Louise.

In this book, Louise talks about her childhood, about having an alcoholic parent, moving to America, her weight, her experience with cancer, her career, falling in love, getting married, family, feminism - she covers a hell of a lot in eight chapters.

The first chapter hit a nerve with me big time - I have a few things in common with Louise and she absolutely nailed it. It was like she was in my head, and I did have to take a breather because I couldn't believe someone else felt and thought the same way, I thought I was alone.

Oh, and by the way? I'm fat too! I also scan a room when I walk in, to make sure I can find someone bigger than me. And I also feel deflated (hah!) when I say the word fat and someone says "OMG no you're not!" I am. I'm fat! Believe me, there are a hell of a lot of worse things to be.

This book left me feeling so warm, so happy, so content. It left me feeling that yes, shit happens - but life goes on. There will be bad times, but the good ones are only around the corner. It made me feel like women are powerful, that we shouldn't have to apologize for wanting to succeed or for how we look. It made me feel like even though I'm fat, that doesn't mean that I should have to hide away in the corner wearing a cardigan in summer because "omg what if someone sees my fat arms" (ridiculous when you think about it, if the circumference of my arms is someone's main concern on one of our three annual sunny days in Ireland then that person is only worthy of my pity and does not deserve to enjoy the sun).

I loved this book, loved it. LOVED IT. Everyone should read it.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I received a copy of this book from Penguin Random House Ireland in exchange for an honest review.

Louise McSharry is an Irish radio personality and is known for her documentary which showed her fight against cancer. She has since recovered, married and now has written a bok about what it's like to have cancer, grow up with a dysfunctional family and being fat when everyone else is skinny.

I quite enjoyed this book. McSharry's writing was really relatable and she didn't have any airs or 'notions' as we would say in Ireland. She was just an ordinary woman, who sometimes appears on The Late Late Show, talking about her life. I didn't know a whole lot about McSharry going into the book except about her cancer and that she was on the radio so learning about her tough childhood and dealing with an alcoholic mother was interesting. The tough parts in this book are interrupted now and again with laugh out loud humour which is simple but really enjoyable - such as McSharry being hospitalised during her cancer treatment for severe constipation and her friends telling her she was "full of shit." I also enjoyed McSharry's battle for body acceptance and learning to love the body she is in and as a young woman myself I definitely understand those struggles. I also really loved reading about McSharry's views on IVF and fertilization as knowing that she is pregnant now, her words ring really lovely and sweet.

Overall I enjoyed this book for a quick, relatable read.

[Kate]

I don’t like giving starred reviews to memoirs. That being said, I really liked this one. At times sad, but more often than not, relatable, it was lovely to read more about Louise and her life.

[Alyce Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of Louise McSharry before I read her story. I only picked it up because the title was intriguing and I absolutely love non-fiction, particularly those which discuss feminist issues.
Louise has lived a fascinating life, and I wanted her to be my best friend by the end of reading this. Not only is she funny and strong, she's utterly inspirational.
She's also fat, and is trying to be proud to claim that title.
If you struggle with body confidence and positivity, Louise is a wonderful cheerleader. She's attempting to destroy the notion that food can be bad or good, or that being fat is inherently wrong, and she's made me look at my internal commentary and attempt to be less judgmental about body sizes (both my own and others).
The only complaint I have is that it gets a little bit repetitive at points. The book is diced up into sections rather than being told chronologically, and because there's some overlap it means the same sentiments are often repeated two or three times. It wasn't too much of a pain, but because I was flying through it I was very aware of it.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Really enjoyed her story. Her life, family etc. The part about her Dad at the U2 concert is beautiful. Really didn’t enjoy the “lectures” on body image and feminism. Came across a bit preachy IMO.

[Niamh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tasneem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that made me feel good, hopeful & appreciate!

[Chloe O'Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really beautiful and tender book, really glad to have read it

[Katie Landy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dearbhla Q-H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really moving memoir.

[Claire Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

is an incredibly honest and inspiring memoir about growing up under tough circumstances, with an alcoholic mother, and also what it means to be ‘fat’ and what bodies are there for. Here’s a story we don’t hear very often: woman loses weight. Woman is praised for losing weight. Woman is losing weight because she has cancer. But it’s more common than you might think, and the idea of weight loss as only a ‘bad thing’ if one is of an ‘acceptable’ weight already is downright dangerous. If the ‘beach-ready body’ bullshit has crept its way inside your brain, have a read of this.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this recommended on line, and ordered it, despite being sure that it wasn't my type of book. ( I'm allergic to any type of misery lit) - so, so glad I ignored my instincts.

Excellent book - zero " poor me"isms. Really interesting life story, with an acceptable dose of self help thrown in.

[Barbara]

Seeringly honest, funny and poignant.

[Neil Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I know and am very fond of Louise.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get enough of this book, absolutely loved it cover to cover. Louise's story is honest, with many hurdles thrown her way she still remains a positive person. An inspiration.

[Mairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved her honesty!