Member Reviews
Thank you so much to the publisher, the author, and netgalley for sending me an e-ARC to read. I gave this book four stars.
This was a pretty niche book. It was informative at parts, but I didn’t find much new information presented in it.
unfortunately my copy of Fat and Queer expired before I was able to read it. I am still wanting to read this so will be sourcing my own copy.
I really liked this book, but I felt that there were lulls in the story that needed some help.. However I found this to be really enjoyable and entertaining and would recommend.
I've never been comfortable within my own fat body, so I was intrigued by a collection of authors highlighting and celebrating fatness.
And I wish I had had this collection in my high school years. This is a collection of highly diverse authors, some were fat as children, some became fat as adults, but all had experiences of the intersection of living as a fat and queer individual in a world that has no love for any kind of otherness.
I found myself needing to put this down when my own memories of bullying and fat shaming became too strong, but I am so glad I persevered. This joyous celebration of the mere existence of fatness and queerness together brought me close to tears several times. I especially was moved by the poem “To all the Fat Queers on the First Day of School.”
Thank you to NetGalley and to Jessica Kingsley Publishers for this advance reader's copy.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As an anthology, this book provided a diverse range of stories and experiences.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.
Really enjoyed this one. Such an important read exploring such an important topic. and as a person whos identity falls i to both these categories I really appreciated it.
It's an uplifting book full of stories that balance hope and tragedy - my favourite combo! I would definitely read this book again when I need it.
I enjoyed reading this. Some of these stories were relatable. I liked the fact that not all the stories were sad or tragic. It was a mixture of the good and the bad. I highly recommend this.
Fat and Queer
This is a beautiful, touching anthology of poems and stories from fat folks across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. As a smallfat who has experienced fatphobia-based bullying, critiquing and berating from classmates, fellow summer campers, family members and strangers alike since about age 10... who has tried dieting, calorie-tracking and restricting... who has binged... who has lost weight and gained weight and lost weight and gained weight... whose parents did Weight Watchers, have experienced similar weight fluctuations, and father has always projected his internalized fatphobia on others... who has been brainwashed by fatphobic advertising, apps, jokes, representation in media... it feels so good to read a book entirely written by and for and about the varying experiences of fat people
This book touches on fatphobia, homophobia, transphobia as well as fat, queer, trans, gay, Black, Latine, Indigenous, joy and the many intersections of these experiences, identities and systems of oppression. So much of my experiences with compulsory heterosexuality/coercive heteronormativity, internalized homophobia and lesbophobia, internalized fatphobia, self esteem issues, gender nonconformity, genderqueerness, lesbianism, femme identity, internalized misogyny, struggles with femininity and masculinity and androgyny, cannot be parsed out, and are so deeply intertwined. It was an indescribable experience being able to read these things that I've barely been able to put into words and only recently realized about myself reflected onto these pages in so many different, beautiful, tragic and complex ways.
I found myself wanting to take pictures of and write quotations down from so many different sections so often that I didn't even bother, because this entire book is just a masterpiece and reducing it down to a few quotes or passages would not adequately capture it. Overall, I recommend that every fat 2SLGBTQ+ give this book a chance; I believe there is something in here for all of us.
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A very nice anthology featuring characters both fat and queer. As a fat queer myself, I really enjoyed the many stories in all the forms they were told. As much as I would've loved many more rep, what I did have was enough to make me want to recommend this anthology to my fellow fat and queer friends. I know many will see themselves in these stories.
I think this kind of anthology is important, but I wish that more of the pieces had been engaging and interesting. I felt like the good stuff was really back-loaded, so I had to work through the first two-thirds with few standouts, and then in the end there was lots of really compelling stuff.
This is an anthology with essays and poems that discuss tough topics, so all the trigger warnings for strong language, homophobia and fatphobia, eating disorders, drug and substance abuse, sexual assaults, and self-harm. I am so glad these essays exist in the world, for the affirmations and validation some readers may feel in knowing they are not alone.
Being fat and queer myself, I have to admit I didn't get as much out of this as I would have hoped. Like I hope for from any non-fiction anthology, this had some relatable parts and some parts that helped me understand others better, which I always find valuable. Ultimately though, I found I didn't read much that felt like very new perspectives to me, which probably says more about myself, and if you're newer to fat positivity you might enjoy this more. I also found the writing to be quite lacking in most essays, which always does influence my reading experience.
This book was sent to me as an ARC on NetGalley. However, all opinions are of my own.
Different perspectives
Good representation of LGBTQIA
Informative
Loved the story
As the case for most anthologies, some were loved and some were alright. Big props to the editors for compiling these stories and poems together. It is important to get as many different voices possible published. I think Fat and Queer did a great job with that. I appreciate how the identities within this anthology were as varied as forms a writing (poem, short story, essay).
Absolutely fantastic and amazing book discussing the intersectionality of being fat and queer. Must read book for so many people and it filled me with so much love and confidence for myself
This book is absolutely lovely and necessary. I appreciate its existence so much. As a fat queer, I know that representation like this can be lifesaving.