Author: Julie Murphy
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Balzer + Brey
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Hardcover: 375 Pages
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
How did I get this book: Library
Format: Hardcover
Why did I read this book: Dumplin' follows a plus size teen who is trying to feel better about her body so she enter into a beauty pageant. As a plus size woman myself I had to pick this up!!
“I hate seeing fat girls on TV or in movies, because the only way the world seems to be okay with putting a fat person on camera is if they’re miserable with themselves or if they’re the jolly best friend. Well, I’m neither of those things.”
Review
Willowdean's confidence and self image. Willowdean is a great character she loves herself and if perfectly OK with her body and I love that about her!
All the southern things!! Being from the south I love Dolly Parton and the southern names and Will's momma!! I will read almost any book set in the deep south! Speaking of Dolly Parton I love what she represents in this novel to Will and her friends!
This book made me feel good about my body. . . I would say that I am pretty self confident BUT you need that boost every now and then and I got exactly what I needed from this!
What I hated:
I wish that her relationship with Bo went more in depth, she looses herself and her positive self image during her relationship that is clear but I wish we had more of her insight. When she first leaves Bo you ask yourself . . . Why? Being a "fat girl" myself I have been in this type of relationship where the guy feel embarrassed by you because you're fat so I understood but it definitely was not clear enough for all readers. One minute she is in love with him and the next she realizes that she doesn't want to be his secret any more which I totally get but this feeling literally develops overnight for Willowdean! With Willowdean being the strong and self confident woman she is I was really hoping she wouldn't let her self image unravel because of a boy. . . sigh.
Then there is Mitch. I hate how Willowdean knows he is so into her but she lets him keep thinking that she is into him too and it just frustrated me. . . urg!!!
I loved the idea of doing the beauty pageant so kind say "screw you and your beauty standards" but it didn't even happen till the last third of the book and Dumplin' mostly focuses on Willowdean's toxic relationships.
The end. . .it just ends there is no conclusion. . .