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Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change
"Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change" chronicles the rise of the body positive movement and body positivity through pop culture reviews and personal reflections. This essay collection illustrates the insidiousness of fatphobia through analyses of film, television, books, and how they affect our perceptions and treatment of others. Altogether, the essays paint a big picture of fatphobia, misogyny, misogynoir, ableism, and capitalism in American society. Furthermore, this essay collection emphasizes the potential for social change. Featuring media from the 1990s, early 2000s, 2010s, and up until today, this memoir tells a story of America's uneasy and ever-changing relationship with fat.
Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2021
46 people are currently reading
2700 people want to read
About the author
Mekdela
1 book17 followersMekdela is an Ethiopian-American writer, activist, and organizer. She is a contributor of the anthology, “Pan African Spaces: Essays on Black Transnationalism.” Her work has been featured in the North England Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Pennycress Zine. She is an avid student of Feminist and Critical Race theory. Mekdela earned her MA in Social and Public Policy from the University of Leeds, where she wrote about how the media and public perception shape each other and the public policies that create our realities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 7, 2023
It was interesting to revisit some of quintessential items of millennial pop culture with an angle that was more than merely nostalgic. The part about the Spice Girls was really great.
I wish we had gotten a little more on the memoir side though because it seems like the author has done her fair share of interesting stuff.
I'm not super comfortable with the part about HP, I can sort of get why it was included but I'm not sure it actually added anything except maybe an attempt to maintain the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia over a piece of content.
I received a digital review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wish we had gotten a little more on the memoir side though because it seems like the author has done her fair share of interesting stuff.
I'm not super comfortable with the part about HP, I can sort of get why it was included but I'm not sure it actually added anything except maybe an attempt to maintain the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia over a piece of content.
I received a digital review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2023
Truthfully, I was looking really forward to this book-- as I grew up in the 90's and the early 2000s when stick thin figures and diets were all the rage in pop culture. I was really looking into this, and seeing how this has affected our culture today.
However, I have been truly let down. Mekdela is a talented author, but I felt that she strayed from the topic of body weight. The majority of the book is recaps of movies, books, topics that she's come across, with a little small blurb about how she felt about it. Oftentimes-- it focused deeply on racial and LGBT issues-- which are important in pop culture too, but the topic was on weight.
Easily, I felt like Mekdela picked some of the most obscure references to cover--while ignoring huge mainstream topics like the Kardashians and their plethora of issues revolving body image or how one of the most popular television shows of all time had a really offensive use of a fat suit. I think the idea of actors wearing body suits could be positive, but is often poorly done-- so I thought it could definitely be a topic worth reading on.
Deep down, I would skip this book. It reads like a college essay, and not like a nonfiction book that's worth purchasing.
Thank you Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
However, I have been truly let down. Mekdela is a talented author, but I felt that she strayed from the topic of body weight. The majority of the book is recaps of movies, books, topics that she's come across, with a little small blurb about how she felt about it. Oftentimes-- it focused deeply on racial and LGBT issues-- which are important in pop culture too, but the topic was on weight.
Easily, I felt like Mekdela picked some of the most obscure references to cover--while ignoring huge mainstream topics like the Kardashians and their plethora of issues revolving body image or how one of the most popular television shows of all time had a really offensive use of a fat suit. I think the idea of actors wearing body suits could be positive, but is often poorly done-- so I thought it could definitely be a topic worth reading on.
Deep down, I would skip this book. It reads like a college essay, and not like a nonfiction book that's worth purchasing.
Thank you Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 1, 2023
3.5 *
This short collection of essays is about the pervasive and stigmatizing effect of fatphobia, with illustrations from popular shows and movies and the author's own life experiences providing the context.
She talks about how not conforming to a standard size as determined by society(not taking into consideration marginalized groups and the factors that uniquely affect their bodies) is considered an affront even today. It's a struggle to get clothes that fit, comfortable furniture and even medical treatment because weight is deemed the root cause. The shallow standards for beauty as upheld in several movies is pointed out as are the attempts to project a more inclusive image. I particularly liked the references from Hunger by Roxane Gay, a memoir I really found relatable.
On the downside, too many topics seem to have been included which dilutes the main one and I wish more of the author's own thoughts had been included, given the description of the book as a memoir.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
This short collection of essays is about the pervasive and stigmatizing effect of fatphobia, with illustrations from popular shows and movies and the author's own life experiences providing the context.
She talks about how not conforming to a standard size as determined by society(not taking into consideration marginalized groups and the factors that uniquely affect their bodies) is considered an affront even today. It's a struggle to get clothes that fit, comfortable furniture and even medical treatment because weight is deemed the root cause. The shallow standards for beauty as upheld in several movies is pointed out as are the attempts to project a more inclusive image. I particularly liked the references from Hunger by Roxane Gay, a memoir I really found relatable.
On the downside, too many topics seem to have been included which dilutes the main one and I wish more of the author's own thoughts had been included, given the description of the book as a memoir.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC!
Mekdela explores the intersectionality of bodypositvity and also fatphobia through the lens of her own experiences and pop culture which was very compelling. This was a very fast read that I couldn't put down and painted a heartbreaking picture of how racism, fatphobia misogyny and ableism seep into all aspects of our capalistic society.
Their pop culture references and comparisons were very interesting but also informative. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author!
Mekdela explores the intersectionality of bodypositvity and also fatphobia through the lens of her own experiences and pop culture which was very compelling. This was a very fast read that I couldn't put down and painted a heartbreaking picture of how racism, fatphobia misogyny and ableism seep into all aspects of our capalistic society.
Their pop culture references and comparisons were very interesting but also informative. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author!
March 3, 2022
*I received a free copy through a Goodreads giveaway*
This was a thought-provoking series of essays on the concept of fatphobia and how it’s been represented in various forms of pop culture and in greater society. Some essays captured my attention more than others, which is common in a collection like this. But I overall enjoyed the read!
This was a thought-provoking series of essays on the concept of fatphobia and how it’s been represented in various forms of pop culture and in greater society. Some essays captured my attention more than others, which is common in a collection like this. But I overall enjoyed the read!
June 7, 2023
The subject of this memoir immediately captured my interest, especially as someone who spent my formative years in the 90s and 2000s. While I enjoyed reading the book overall, it did read more like a college essay rather than a published nonfiction book. I also felt like while the premise was promising, sometimes the pop culture examples given didn't always feel relevant. Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was longer and if it felt more synthesized and cohesive.
Thanks to Netgalley and Mekdela for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Mekdela for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2022
Plus-Size” is a series of essays that deal with Mekdela’s personal experience of dealing with body image and how different media outlets add to the positive or negative body image issues for women, especially Black women. Media outlets, such as movies, television shows, and books are discussed with Mekdela using specific examples from each. Most of these examples should be recognizable by most readers.
Most American women have faced some sort of discrimination or had some aspect of their outer beauty commented on or judged by both men and women. Many of the beauty standards set in America are based on thinner White women. Most of these standards are not realistic for today’s women and these standards can lead to many issues for women of all ages, colors, sizes. These issues can be physical, mental, or emotional (i.e., eating disorders). Mekdela does a decent job at looking at her own life as a curvy Black woman and how these standards have been reflected in several different media outlets.
Readers need to remember that this is a collection of essays and not chapters that are supposed to go together. Each essay addresses a different aspect of body image standards, how they are reflected in everyday life, and what needs to change. Every woman is different and should not be held to the same standard. A thin person does not mean health, just like an overweight person does not mean sick. Mekdela does a great job in keeping her self-confidence despite what she has seen and viewed in movies and television and how some think that because she is a curvy Black woman, she is unhealthy and that she needs to be a size 0. She points out what she has experienced and emphasizes the subtle things that are thrown in media outlets that most do not even pick up on.
Many women will be able to find something that fits their life story. Women are judged harshly by American society and eventually by themselves thanks to the media outlets that constantly tell women that if they are not a size 0 then there is something wrong with them. “Plus-Size” tells women that they are their own person and to not feed into what the media shoves down their throats.
Most American women have faced some sort of discrimination or had some aspect of their outer beauty commented on or judged by both men and women. Many of the beauty standards set in America are based on thinner White women. Most of these standards are not realistic for today’s women and these standards can lead to many issues for women of all ages, colors, sizes. These issues can be physical, mental, or emotional (i.e., eating disorders). Mekdela does a decent job at looking at her own life as a curvy Black woman and how these standards have been reflected in several different media outlets.
Readers need to remember that this is a collection of essays and not chapters that are supposed to go together. Each essay addresses a different aspect of body image standards, how they are reflected in everyday life, and what needs to change. Every woman is different and should not be held to the same standard. A thin person does not mean health, just like an overweight person does not mean sick. Mekdela does a great job in keeping her self-confidence despite what she has seen and viewed in movies and television and how some think that because she is a curvy Black woman, she is unhealthy and that she needs to be a size 0. She points out what she has experienced and emphasizes the subtle things that are thrown in media outlets that most do not even pick up on.
Many women will be able to find something that fits their life story. Women are judged harshly by American society and eventually by themselves thanks to the media outlets that constantly tell women that if they are not a size 0 then there is something wrong with them. “Plus-Size” tells women that they are their own person and to not feed into what the media shoves down their throats.
February 5, 2022
Mekdela explains Fat phobia in terms of misconceptions in society, including in film, TV, and the medical field.
She covers: predisposition, environmental factors, and life circumstances that affect fat gain, dangerous diet pills and gastric bypass surgery, the inhumanity of The Biggest Loser TV show with it's abusive tactics of a hazing nature, and the nearly inevitable regaining of weight after the show due to the biology of fat.
Mekdela explains that the medical industry calls obesity a medical condition, yet it is regarded as the complete responsibility of individuals."
"It has been proven that eating cheaper, less healthy fast food can result in weight gain and / or cardiovascular diseases." This makes working class people more vulnerable."
"Obesity is an issue of race because its main unit of measurement or BMI (Body Mass Index) is an inconsistent marker that does not account for different body types, especially those of women of color that naturally have more body fat in certain areas."
"If one were to effectively address the "obesity epidemic," workers would make a living wage and be able to afford healthy food, healthcare, medicine, and have leisure time for exercise and rest."
This is a fast, interesting read. I recommend it for any compassionate, socially aware person.
She covers: predisposition, environmental factors, and life circumstances that affect fat gain, dangerous diet pills and gastric bypass surgery, the inhumanity of The Biggest Loser TV show with it's abusive tactics of a hazing nature, and the nearly inevitable regaining of weight after the show due to the biology of fat.
Mekdela explains that the medical industry calls obesity a medical condition, yet it is regarded as the complete responsibility of individuals."
"It has been proven that eating cheaper, less healthy fast food can result in weight gain and / or cardiovascular diseases." This makes working class people more vulnerable."
"Obesity is an issue of race because its main unit of measurement or BMI (Body Mass Index) is an inconsistent marker that does not account for different body types, especially those of women of color that naturally have more body fat in certain areas."
"If one were to effectively address the "obesity epidemic," workers would make a living wage and be able to afford healthy food, healthcare, medicine, and have leisure time for exercise and rest."
This is a fast, interesting read. I recommend it for any compassionate, socially aware person.
April 4, 2022
Memoirs chronicle a person’s truth and never more so than in this detailed book about what it is like to be plus-size in the United States. Vulnerable, honest, and wholehearted Mekdela has written a very realistic look at the way our society shames the overweight. Every bit of the book is absolute truth. I applaud the eloquence and research done to produce this book.
The truly sad thing about the book is that as spot-on as it is, the writer is not really very overweight. At a size 14, the truth of the matter is that she is pretty average for women in the US. In the US the average dress size is now 16. What a horrible statement that this country is so consumed by the idea of being thin that it shames the average size woman. Mekdela covers every aspect of being plus-sized, including, race, economic status, immigrant, etc. If you have ever struggled with body image or held any shame over your physical being this book will bring you validation and a true sense of community. My wish would be for people who have never experienced issues of domination and oppression to read this book and grow their hearts.
The truly sad thing about the book is that as spot-on as it is, the writer is not really very overweight. At a size 14, the truth of the matter is that she is pretty average for women in the US. In the US the average dress size is now 16. What a horrible statement that this country is so consumed by the idea of being thin that it shames the average size woman. Mekdela covers every aspect of being plus-sized, including, race, economic status, immigrant, etc. If you have ever struggled with body image or held any shame over your physical being this book will bring you validation and a true sense of community. My wish would be for people who have never experienced issues of domination and oppression to read this book and grow their hearts.
December 13, 2021
Reading this book was like putting myself in the shoes of an overweight woman of colour in America and how outcast such a person can be made to feel. I thought I understood so well before.
Even though I'm not exactly slim myself, I am male, which I now realise after reading is much easier in this judgemental society, as we slave away trying to keep up with rising living costs and hopelessly diving deeper into our mobile devices for comfort and inspiration.
There are numerous references to pop culture from the 1990s and 2000s which Mekdela grew up watching. If you're familiar with these it can be fun to read but what's more significant is how they affected the writer's soul whilst growing up.
I learnt a lot about fatphobia and how cruel and assumptive society can be and how the producers of entertainment broadcasts only accentuate the cruelty to push profits. This book gets very political in places but it's an emotional journey about sensitive issues that I would definitely recommend.
Even though I'm not exactly slim myself, I am male, which I now realise after reading is much easier in this judgemental society, as we slave away trying to keep up with rising living costs and hopelessly diving deeper into our mobile devices for comfort and inspiration.
There are numerous references to pop culture from the 1990s and 2000s which Mekdela grew up watching. If you're familiar with these it can be fun to read but what's more significant is how they affected the writer's soul whilst growing up.
I learnt a lot about fatphobia and how cruel and assumptive society can be and how the producers of entertainment broadcasts only accentuate the cruelty to push profits. This book gets very political in places but it's an emotional journey about sensitive issues that I would definitely recommend.
March 2, 2022
I received this book for free from GoodReads FirstReads.
This book was like having a fun and challenging conversation with a good friend in college (not a specific good friend but basically someone who is intelligent and fun to be around). Mekdala has a lot of good arguments and thoughts about Media, Perceptions, etc. that align with what I believe. There are points that I don't agree with, but I wouldn't ever want a good college friend who had the exact same opinion as me on everything.
The writing is accessible and avoids being pedantic. The book feels short and there is so much more that could be covered under this broad area of discussion. However, the brevity could also be in it's favor because it fits into a large coat pocket or a purse and can be read on a bus or subway ride.
Each chapter could also be good for a Book Club that doesn't want to read too much but enjoys a lively conversation/debate.
This book was like having a fun and challenging conversation with a good friend in college (not a specific good friend but basically someone who is intelligent and fun to be around). Mekdala has a lot of good arguments and thoughts about Media, Perceptions, etc. that align with what I believe. There are points that I don't agree with, but I wouldn't ever want a good college friend who had the exact same opinion as me on everything.
The writing is accessible and avoids being pedantic. The book feels short and there is so much more that could be covered under this broad area of discussion. However, the brevity could also be in it's favor because it fits into a large coat pocket or a purse and can be read on a bus or subway ride.
Each chapter could also be good for a Book Club that doesn't want to read too much but enjoys a lively conversation/debate.
January 29, 2025
This was an easy, breezy read for me as I completed the book in one sitting. Essays are always more fun than a narrative as the author gets to the point and offers compelling arguments to think about. I, too, grew up in a predominately white, upper middle class neighborhood and wasn’t seen as “desirable.” Wasn’t asked out, was told I “could be pretty,” and said I was “dark (deeming not pretty)” despite being a light skinned Indian.
Mekdela taught me that beauty is political. Even if you are gorgeous and plus-sized and someone’s “type,” men aren’t necessarily going to pursue you as that’s not societally deemed acceptable. It’s messed up but the author has the courage and vulnerability to share this in a graceful manner. I am grateful to her for sharing her own experiences as these aren’t often documented beyond personal texts/ brunches/ anonymous blogs.
Curious to see what else Mekdela has to offer. Thank you for the lovely read!
Mekdela taught me that beauty is political. Even if you are gorgeous and plus-sized and someone’s “type,” men aren’t necessarily going to pursue you as that’s not societally deemed acceptable. It’s messed up but the author has the courage and vulnerability to share this in a graceful manner. I am grateful to her for sharing her own experiences as these aren’t often documented beyond personal texts/ brunches/ anonymous blogs.
Curious to see what else Mekdela has to offer. Thank you for the lovely read!
April 28, 2023
Plus Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change by Mekdela was a book I didn’t know I needed to read.
As a woman who grew up in America, I have spent my entire life aware of my body. The media’s fixation and objectification of the female form aided in my personal dissatisfaction. Hearing Mekdela’s journey and seeing things through her eyes, validated my experiences.
I loved the way Mekdela wrote this book. Coming in at under 100 pages, each chapter is short but powerful. Television, film, and music are primarily used to highly society’s role is how we value or devalue human life.
Special thanks to Book Baby and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
As a woman who grew up in America, I have spent my entire life aware of my body. The media’s fixation and objectification of the female form aided in my personal dissatisfaction. Hearing Mekdela’s journey and seeing things through her eyes, validated my experiences.
I loved the way Mekdela wrote this book. Coming in at under 100 pages, each chapter is short but powerful. Television, film, and music are primarily used to highly society’s role is how we value or devalue human life.
Special thanks to Book Baby and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2023
Simple put: wow. This collection of essays is engaging, funny, thought-provoking, charming, witty, and deep. The book is well organized as it dives in to deep discussions of racism, fatphobia, ableism, sexism, classism, and more. Balancing the heavier discussions are lighthearted reviews and analysis of various media forms the author has experienced. Any 90s kid will remember much of the same stories. A great read for someone who doesn’t understand why liberation and recognition is important for all bodies. Delightful every step of the way, I look forward to seeing what else Mekdela writes in the future.
August 10, 2023
Mekdela writes so well. They are straight to the point, and this makes for such a joyous reading experience. I wanted the chapters to be longer!
I enjoyed the pop culture references, and they helped to illustrate Mekdela's points.
There were two main reasons why I didn't give this book a higher star rating... one was that I wanted more - found the chapters too be too brief, and wanted to delve deeper. And secondly, this is a US book, so some of the references i didn't get - at times I was a bit confused due to this.
But I have to state - that this is such an interesting read, and I look forward to what Mekdela does next!
I enjoyed the pop culture references, and they helped to illustrate Mekdela's points.
There were two main reasons why I didn't give this book a higher star rating... one was that I wanted more - found the chapters too be too brief, and wanted to delve deeper. And secondly, this is a US book, so some of the references i didn't get - at times I was a bit confused due to this.
But I have to state - that this is such an interesting read, and I look forward to what Mekdela does next!
September 22, 2023
Plus-Size is a well written series of essays about fatphobia and racism. I really appreciated the honesty and vulnerability of the author. Many of the essays focus on representation of women, people of color and people in larger bodies. I really enjoyed the essays that covered TV shows, movies and books that I had read. I struggled a bit with the essays that covered movies that I had not yet seen. This is a great book with a unique perspective that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Mekdela Author, BookBaby and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this manuscript in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Mekdela Author, BookBaby and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this manuscript in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2021
This collection of essays explores the life ofa plus-size Black American. Mekdela effectively dissects the intersections between race, colonialism, sexism & fatphobia.
I really enjoyed learning about her experiences as the child of refugees in the USA.
The collection also analyses fatphobia in the media and the impact this had on Mekdela as she was growing up.
This was easy to read whilst teaching me so much about the way fatphobia is ingrained into every aspect of society.
I can't wait for more essays and collections by the author.
I really enjoyed learning about her experiences as the child of refugees in the USA.
The collection also analyses fatphobia in the media and the impact this had on Mekdela as she was growing up.
This was easy to read whilst teaching me so much about the way fatphobia is ingrained into every aspect of society.
I can't wait for more essays and collections by the author.
May 26, 2022
In this personal essay collection, Mekdela—a plus-size, Ethiopian-American woman—writes vulnerably and pointedly about body positivity and media representation. While reading, I often found myself nodding in agreement as Mekdela addresses so many pertinent issues of today in her discussions of The Good Place, The Mindy Project, Hunger, and other prominent fixtures of contemporary pop culture. Pick this one up for a raw appraisal of how we discuss and perceive body image.
September 17, 2023
This is a poignant and passionate analysis of women's bodies against the background of modern values. The author uses their intersectionality as a larger African American individual to shine light on the harshness in which we view larger bodies as less than when there is no evidence to suggest a larger body is inherently unhealthier than a thin one. In fact, the author brings a sense of pride in encouraging the love of one's body and in valuing one's person in today's world.
September 22, 2023
An insightful and well-informed book. Very inclusive and relevant. This book addresses many social injustices and prejudices that exist in American society. Mekdela not only talks about sizeism and fatphobia, but also racism, sexism, classism, and ableism.
There were a few parts that rambled a bit, but overall I found the book engaging and informative. Everyone could benefit from reading this book for its educational merit and social relevance.
There were a few parts that rambled a bit, but overall I found the book engaging and informative. Everyone could benefit from reading this book for its educational merit and social relevance.
May 16, 2024
I feel like this one came into my life at just the right moment. As a plus size woman myself, I related to this book so much. On the aspect of seeing plus size women being represented in the media, television, movies, and magazines. Mekdela made me feel seen and heard. I think this would be a phenomenal read for anyone, not just someone who is plus size or even of color. It hits all the major topics and I would highly recommend this to everyone.
April 8, 2023
Such a gem of a book! Mekdela has done research and presents a look at how the media treats plus-size people. I could identify with a lot of the stories and recalled the shows and books and movies she mentioned. Very well done! Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy for the purpose of this review.
September 25, 2023
Through the use of her own experiences and popular culture, Mekdela explores the junction of body positivity and fatphobia in a way that is both captivating and insightful. This was a quick book that I found difficult to put down and provided a terrible picture of how racism, fatphobia, misogyny, and ableism permeate all facets of our capitalistic society.
February 6, 2024
The best parts of this book deal with fat phobia and the suffering it causes, especially to women of color. Also notable is that this is one of the few books to include men as targets for fat shaming.
August 2, 2024
2.5 stars but I’m rounding up.
It started off okay but seemed to lose the plot, for lack of better phrase, as the essays progressed. I would love to see this edited, added to, and rereleased in the future.
It started off okay but seemed to lose the plot, for lack of better phrase, as the essays progressed. I would love to see this edited, added to, and rereleased in the future.
June 28, 2022
This essay collection is a raw and honest look at prejudices against plus-size people. It’s well-written, well-researched, and eye opening. I applaud Mekdela for speaking out to spur social change.
June 15, 2023
This is the representation we needed! As someone who grew up with most of the shows/celebrities and events mentioned I was relieved to see someone echo and express my feelings.
March 11, 2024
Solid book that covers a typic not many people think about. This book was well written and a good one to read.
September 20, 2025
Mekdela's "Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change" is a compelling and incisive examination of the ways that fatphobia is deeply ingrained in society. Blending personal memoir with cultural criticism, the book explores the intersections of race, colonialism, sexism, and ableism, while analyzing the role of capitalism in perpetuating harmful beauty standards.
What makes "Plus-Size" stand out is Mekdela's ability to balance rigorous research with accessible, engaging prose. She dissects pop culture's influence on body image, tracing the evolution of fat representation in media from the 1990s to today. Through analyses of film, television, and literature, she highlights how fatphobia manifests not only in overt discrimination, but also in the subtleties of storytelling and societal norms. Her writing is both thought-provoking and deeply personal, drawing from lived experiences to illustrate broader systemic issues.
The book is not just a critique; it's also a call to action. Mekdela presents well-researched arguments alongside potential solutions, making it clear that social change is possible. Her approach is both empathetic and unapologetic, challenging readers to reconsider their biases and understand the ways in which fatphobia intersects with other forms of oppression.
"Plus-Size" is an essential read for anyone interested in social justice, body politics, or media studies. It is an enlightening and necessary addition to the discourse on fat activism, and its ability to educate while remaining highly readable makes it a standout work in the field.
What makes "Plus-Size" stand out is Mekdela's ability to balance rigorous research with accessible, engaging prose. She dissects pop culture's influence on body image, tracing the evolution of fat representation in media from the 1990s to today. Through analyses of film, television, and literature, she highlights how fatphobia manifests not only in overt discrimination, but also in the subtleties of storytelling and societal norms. Her writing is both thought-provoking and deeply personal, drawing from lived experiences to illustrate broader systemic issues.
The book is not just a critique; it's also a call to action. Mekdela presents well-researched arguments alongside potential solutions, making it clear that social change is possible. Her approach is both empathetic and unapologetic, challenging readers to reconsider their biases and understand the ways in which fatphobia intersects with other forms of oppression.
"Plus-Size" is an essential read for anyone interested in social justice, body politics, or media studies. It is an enlightening and necessary addition to the discourse on fat activism, and its ability to educate while remaining highly readable makes it a standout work in the field.
July 28, 2023
As someone who was taller and developed curves at a faster rate than my classmates, followed by a metabolic disorder that created weight issues throughout adulthood, I was hoping for a meatier (pun intended) foray into fat phobia and body positivity.
Highlights:
The book is thoughtful in its inclusiveness and highlights a range of identities and experiences.
Solid range of pop culture references, including the cringy fatsuit almond mom Gwynth Paltrow donned for shallow Hal, Legally Blonde and The Mindy Project. (Although I wonder what the author would say about our chubby icon Mindy dropping enough weight to look fragile.)
The author isn’t humorless. She acknowledges liking a good fat joke and identifies what makes one. This instantly makes her approachable and positions her as someone who can provide a critique but allow for nuance.
Downsides:
The dating app chapter read like a list of complaints about online dating with limited substantive analysis.
The writing style was more a collection of personal essays (she even refers to one chapter as an essay) and pop culture (book, movie, show) reviews than memoir. A memoir would be more of a personal journey—like how I faced fat phobia but found body positivity. The personal essay reads like a defense—here are all the problems and how they impact me. While that may be appealing to some, I prefer the empowerment of an internal journey of self discovery and growth.
We DO need to see more narratives of fitting into a world that doesn’t support thinness and healthy habits but expects skinny bodies just the same, which alone makes this book a worthwhile read.
Thank you NetGalley for the free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Highlights:
The book is thoughtful in its inclusiveness and highlights a range of identities and experiences.
Solid range of pop culture references, including the cringy fatsuit almond mom Gwynth Paltrow donned for shallow Hal, Legally Blonde and The Mindy Project. (Although I wonder what the author would say about our chubby icon Mindy dropping enough weight to look fragile.)
The author isn’t humorless. She acknowledges liking a good fat joke and identifies what makes one. This instantly makes her approachable and positions her as someone who can provide a critique but allow for nuance.
Downsides:
The dating app chapter read like a list of complaints about online dating with limited substantive analysis.
The writing style was more a collection of personal essays (she even refers to one chapter as an essay) and pop culture (book, movie, show) reviews than memoir. A memoir would be more of a personal journey—like how I faced fat phobia but found body positivity. The personal essay reads like a defense—here are all the problems and how they impact me. While that may be appealing to some, I prefer the empowerment of an internal journey of self discovery and growth.
We DO need to see more narratives of fitting into a world that doesn’t support thinness and healthy habits but expects skinny bodies just the same, which alone makes this book a worthwhile read.
Thank you NetGalley for the free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
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