The Forbidden Body: Why Being Fat Is Not a Sin

by Shelley Bovey

The author, herself a size 24, exposes discrimination in all its forms and reveals that this is far more threatening to a woman's physical and mental health than the health risks associated with being fat. She puts tough questions to Harley Street surgeons, dieticians and others with a vested interest in women wanting to be thinner, and talks to doctors who confess that prejudice, not science, makes them condemn fat women as unhealthy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Fat Studies

364 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best fat-acceptance book I've ever read, but I think it's a keeper, since I found myself dog-earing pages every twenty minutes or so. :) I would be interested in reading an updated version, since this book was last updated in 1994 (half a lifetime ago, as far as I'm concerned).

[Cassandra Carico · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting, and I agreed with much of what she said. However, I felt that her anger regarding the treatment of the subject was bordering on bitterness and detracted from her message.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depressing how little has changed.

[HeavyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent book about fat, especially fat women and the moral judgments placed on them. There's a lot of information here about the dangers and lies of the diet industry. It's written from a British perspective, but includes a lot of important information for Americans too. Highly recommended.

[Goddess · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, but it didn't make me feel any better about myself. If you're chubby you might as well read it, but I didn't get a lot out of it.