Review Summaries

• Readers respond strongly to Virginia's self-consciousness and the distance within her family, and they see the frank, quick-witted voice as a major part of the book's readability. Its direct treatment of adolescent discomfort and insecurity draws notable empathy and support.

• The heroine's gradual shift in how she dresses and speaks is seen as natural, and the book is praised for capturing the uncertainty of adolescence with care. Its voice carries both humor and pain, which strengthens the story's persuasive force.

Reviews

• New Yorkに住む１５歳の太めの女の子の葛藤と自立

  私はVirginia New Yorkに住む１５歳の太めの女の子。仕事熱心で女性は 細身が一番と思っているお父さん、ティーンのカウンセラーをしているのに 自分の娘のことはさっぱり分かっていないお母さん、そして容姿端麗で学業優秀 な姉と兄の５人家族。 親友のShannonは、Seattleに引っ越してしまったから今は学校に友達が居ないの。 それに、最近卒業した兄さんはまだ学校では有名人で、妹の私は比較されるのに うんざり。ある日、たまたまバスの隣に座った同級生のFroggyとキスしちゃった。 それから時々デートするようになったんだけど、彼に学校であっても知らん振り するの、だって太めの女の子と仲がいいなんてみんなに知られたら悪いじゃない。 そんなある日、兄さんが大きな事件を起こして．．．． メールやチャットといった現代の風俗を織り交ぜながら、コンプレックスを 抱える太めのVirginiaの母との確執、友情、そして恋愛が一人称で語られます。 ボリュームもありわりと重いテーマを扱っていますが、Virginiaの語り口は 悲壮感がほとんどありません。読みやすくてするっと読めてしまいます。

• 5/5 This book turned out to be beyond my expectations, it was such a great pleasure to read such a wonderfully written masterpiece by ’‘Carolyn mackler’’.....i just loved it ! < Fat.....cellulite.......insecure....... anxious........high school........mean comments......virgin......feelings......... family........food......diet......friends.......boy.....love......& much more > ~The whole book mainly revolves around this young blonde fifteen year old teenage girl Virginia who has always felt insecure mostly bout her own body, she hates mirrors, she mostly eats to comfort herself ~Virginia has a perfect family atleast she thinks that way until she realises which wasn’t actually perfect & then slowly everything changes for virginia making her life even more difficult & complicated ~This book is all bout overcoming your insecurities & loving yourself more in every possible way you can ~The book mainly points on body image, issues when you’re a fat bottomed kid.....it also speaks bout sexual violence, complicated eating disorder, & teenage problems of course ~Book itself is brutally honest & i loved the humour & mainly the romance in the book it was soo cute & adorable to read ~speaking of characters friendship between Virginia & shannon are goals ~froggy is insanely cute, moments with him & virginia together made me blush all the time though i feel froggy’s charecter was very less in the whole book.....maybe his character would get more justice in the sequel of this book- THE UNIVERSE IS EXPANDING AND SO AM I ~ Virginia’s older brother sucks though he was truly a hero ideal inspiration for virginia at some point of her life but truth is he is not what he appears to be......*no spoilers* ~ i’d recommend this book to everyone & mostly who feel insecure bout their bodies it’s a must read for them.........⭐️💕

• I first read this at 13, re reading it 20years later and the sequel I was reminded how it shaped my image of myself (and the curves) and how I deal with some of the triggers in my life, Annie's story hits so close to home and I draw strength from it. Worth a read

• Prompt delivery, item as described.

• I literally stayed up till 3am to read this its very good book to read I really love this book

• There are some books from your childhood and teenage years that survive the rampages that time can do on the memory...this is one of them. I went through a nostalgic period and re-ordered all of my faves from when I was younger. This one is still as great as I remember. It hits on those tough subject that some YA novels gloss over and I love the author’s voice. The main character Virginia is brilliant, the handling of the heavy themes is phenomenal and the ending result — the feeling of being deeply understood even at your weakest and still being powerful in those moments...truly amazing. Love this book and author so much!

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