The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Carolyn Mackler
Star Rating
★★★
Reviewer's Rating
Mar 9, 2016

Good, but not great. Published thirteen years ago, it doesn't quite hold up today. Ginny is unbelievably pathetic throughout most of the story, and only toward the Hollywood-like ending does she-surprise-develop some confidence. Normally I love pathetic people because I can relate to their insecurity, but Ginny's character is a tad too two-dimensional, not a fully fleshed out character worthy of my concern. I also didn’t like how the author handled the date-rape subplot, as if she just needed a “juicy” reason for us to stop liking that character, rather than giving that heavy subject matter the serious treatment it deserves. If the book had been published today, as more and more real-life rape survivors are finding their voice, I suspect the author would have handled the subject more delicately. Still, the story is compelling enough that I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I do want to give this book a shout out, though, for featuring a “Health at Every Size” promoting doctor character years before that body acceptance movement became a thing. Like I said, it’s good. Just not great. If you want great, try Dumplin' by Julie Murphy.

Reviewed by Becky C.
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