Being Fat: Women, Weight, and Feminist Activism in Canada

by Jenny Ellison

It is okay to be fat. This is the basic premise of fat activism, a social movement that has existed in Canada since the 1970s. Being Fat focuses on the earliest strands of the movement, covering the last decades of the twentieth century. The book explores how fat activists wrestled with feminist issues of the era, including femininity, sexuality, and health. Showcasing the earliest efforts of fat activists in Canada, such as the growth of social initiatives “for fat women only,” Being Fat helps us recognize the long reach of second-wave feminism and how it shaped activists’ approaches to everyday experiences like shopping, exercise, and going to the doctor.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fat

296 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2020

Reviews

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellison's work stems from the adage that "its okay to be fat." Ellison traces the fat acceptance movement that emerged in response to and as a part of the feminist movement in the late 1970s. The chapters highlight these women's relationship to activism, medical care, and and community relationships such as in the form of buying and selling clothes. An important history that emphasizes a newer era of historical inquiry (the 1980s) this book is worth reading in order to historicize the current fat acceptance movements and to understand the relationship between women's bodily size, health, beauty, and social acceptance.

[OjoAusana · Rating 5 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a very insightful and informative book! Interesting to see this from a Canadian view, especially being so close to Canada lol This was a really great book with tons of sources and info and wasn't boring, it was a really great read,

[Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgally and the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own

I loved the idea of this book. As a fat Canadian female I had high hopes. I loved learning new information but it is extremely fact heavy.

It's basically just all facts. Which is fine but it reads like a textbook. If you are looking to learn about the fat positivity movement in Canada this would be a great read.

If you're looking for something with a nice "flow" this wouldn't be for you.

3.5 stars

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting academic dive into the relatively unknown history of Canadian fat activism. It's light on theory and contains some interesting interviews with activists. Definitely written by a historian (can be a bit dry at times).