FAT!SO? : Because You Don't Have to Apologize for Your Size [Paperback]

Marilyn Wann (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 1, 1998

Fat? Chunky? Less than svelte? So what! In this hilarious and eye-opening book, fat and proud activist/zinester Marilyn Wann takes on Americas' biggest fear—worse than the fear of public speaking or nuclear weapons—our fear of fat.Statistics tell us that about a third of Americans are fat, and common sense adds that just about everyone, fat or thin, male or female, has worried about their appearance. FAT!SO? weighs in with a more attractive alternative: feeling good about yourself at any weight—and having the style and attitude to back it up. Internationally recognized as a fat-positive spokesperson, Wann has learned that you can be absolutely happy, healthy, and successful...and fat. With its hilarious and insightful blend of essays, quizzes, facts, and reporting, FAT!SO? proves that you can be out-and-out fabulous at any size.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-The pervasiveness and dangers of anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders are undeniable; recent articles on the subject have appeared in periodicals ranging from People to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Wann, a 5'4", 275-pound Californian, states unequivocally that America needs an attitude adjustment. Fear of fat, she says, supports a $40 billion a year diet industry, destroys both relationships and self-esteem, and engenders "loathing on a national level." Her revolutionary idea? Eat right, exercise, and stop worrying about weight. Being thin doesn't automatically equate with either health or happiness, the author reminds readers. She includes information from physicians, health experts, and medical journals to support her assertion that fitness contributes more to longevity than the "the f-word." The book, named after her Web site and her zine, is an engaging blend of fact and humor. Charts, graphics, photos ("visual counterpropaganda"), testimonials, quotes, ideas for sassy comebacks, and much more can help teens of all sizes reevaluate their view of the "flabulous." Fat! So? is irreverent and thought provoking, informative and fun.
Dori DeSpain, Herndon Fortnightly Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898159954
• ISBN-13: 978-0898159950
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Informative June 1, 2001

By Rochelle

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

From the moment I started reading her book, I loved FAT!SO? Marilyn Wann both educates the readers on fat prejudice and fat myths, and gives them a good laugh at the same time. Whenever I feel the need for an esteem boost, I read portions of Wann's book.

Some people have felt that her humor somehow trivializes people's experience with fat prejudice. That was not her intention. Her intention was to give the readers a reason to feel good about themselves and to give them an uplift. I've read interviews with Marily Wann, and believe me, she has felt the sting (more like the stab) of fat prejudice as much as other fat people.

Wann also cites studies that show how other natural differences in humans, such as men's height and left-handed people, have demonstrated higher percentages of health problems--and the same health problems--attributed to fat. But did the researchers of these studies say that being a short man or being left-handed was the cause of their health problems? No, they attributed it to cultural prejudice (Western societies have traditionally looked down on short men, as men are expected to be tall, or at least taller than women, and left-handers receive prejudice due to old superstitious beliefs that being left-handed somehow makes the person evil or unlucky).

If you can read this book and still feel that fat people "choose" to be fat, and/or deserve to receive prejudice because of being fat, I suggest reading Dr. Edell's book, EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY, Laura Fraser's book, LOSING IT: AMERICA'S OBSESSION WITH WEIGHT AND THE INDUSTRY THAT FEEDS ON IT, and W. Charisse Goodman's book, THE INVISIBLE WOMAN: CONFRONTING WEIGHT PREJUDICE IN AMERICA. Dr. Edell and his staff have for years searched for and continues to sift through current research and recommend the best, most valid amongst it (no, I'm, afraid not all medical research is high-quality). Fraser, a journalist, conducted an in-depth study on the origins of America's desire for thinness, the diet industry, and obesity research and how the researchers are connected to the diet industry, thereby having their research affected by the industry. Goodman (I wrote a review on her book as well) details the discourse of weight prejudice in America and successfully illustrates the similarities between Anti-Semitism and weight prejudice (Goodman is Jewish).

However, after reading these books as well, you STILL insist that fat people deserve prejudice, "choose" to be fat and should lose weight at all costs, then you're just a plain bigot who needs a scapegoat.

Back to Marilyn's book, EVERYONE, fat or thin, who has esteem issues with their body should read it. It's a definite uplifter, with a complete bibliography, and personal accounts from contributors to the book. It also has a piece written by Wann's personal trainer.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Pep Rally for Fat People July 30, 2005

By M. E. Wood

Format:Paperback

For 1998 Fat!So? may have been revolutionary but a lot of the subject matter has been discussed ad nauseam in some form or other. Which confirms two things: it's important to women and there are still too many people not listening.

What started off as a zine, Fat!So? has been one of the bibles for fat acceptance for a number of years. It shows no sign of waning. Marilyn started the zine after her boyfriend said he was embarrassed by her weight and the insurance company said she was a liability. Anyone over 160 pounds can probably relate. From there, Fat!So? grew into a popular website community and equally popular book.

The majority of Fat!So? is divided into four anatomy lessons: The Butt, The Belly, The Chin and The Upper Arm. Within these lessons everything about women and the plus size body is discussed via the ABCs. We even get to see pictures of naked bellies, chins and bums.

Like most advocates of fat acceptance she wants people to "embrace the F-word." The 3 letter word not the 4 letter one so "no one can use it against you ever again." Previous surgeon general C. Everett Koop, his close relationship to the diet companies and a brief timeline of Prescription diet drugs for the last hundred years are discussed. She doesn't like him. She also addresses childhood obesity, how to educate teachers about fat prejudice and making exercise fun, not a punishment.

There's an awesome essay titled Fat Kills by Betty Rose Dudley. In it she discusses her experience of visiting a doctor for a cough only to have the doctor deter to the topic of weight loss. Every time. You can read the essay at the Fat! So? website. There are many other essays by women of volume. Without the contributors Marilyn Wann wouldn't have had a book. The insights and experiences of others is what makes Fat! So? so good. Readers are able to see bits of themselves in others as well as learn what other fat people have dealt with.

Another favourite section of mine is the -Yeah, Right!- area. If you ever wished you had a comeback for a snide comment directed toward you this area will give you lots of ideas. Skip to this section for an instant boost.

As for the negatives there weren't many. Since its printing in 1998, some of the links are now expired but that's to be expected. At times Wann came across as promoting weight gain which I don't think is any better than promoting weight loss. Also the similarities of phrenology (using callipers to measure bumps on the skull) and bariatric medicine (the study of obesity) was a bit tedious and hard to follow. Lastly she encourages fat sex but there is no mention of safe sex. Fat people need to be aware of safe sex too. Especially since the book isn't directed toward adults only. Direction to more information would have been a nice addition to this area.

Fat!So? isn't all about the seriousness of being fat, fat acceptance and standing up for ourselves. Wann likes to have a little fun and it shows in a few of her mock essays, bountiful women cartoons from various artists and other extra goodies that take you from reading to interactive play.

There are with two cut'n paste projects; 17 fun things to do with your bathroom scale and, my favourite, the Venus of Willendorf Paper Doll. Remember those little flip books you had as a kid? You would flip through the pages and the image would appear to be running or jumping. Well in the top right hand corner is the cover diva shaking her groove thing. It's adorable. I like surprises. It took me until page 49 before I even realized it.

Another gem, almost unnoticed at the bottom of every page in very small print is -154 Ways to be a fatso-; like fill your home with fat positive art or refuse to apologize for your size. It's like an added bonus mini book.

Although Fat!So? is not the exclusive bible for fat acceptance that it use to be, it's a good read and shows what women have been trying to say for years: Accept me as I am. (...)

55 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars REALLY SHOULD BE 10 STARS... BUY THIS BOOK NOW September 24, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I've always loved the Fat!So? zine... and was extremely excited to find out there was a book. You need to buy this book.... but not just one copy. Buy one for all your friends (fat and thin... because we all know that the thin girls still think they're fat). Buy copies for your local libraries and schools. Give copies to teen-age girls you might know. (Does Amazon sell by the case?) This is the funniest, most self-empowering book I've read in my life. Oh... and before you go to bed tonight... thank God for giving us Marilyn Wann. If you're just beginning to try to accept your body, I recommend this book. I also recommend joining NAAFA and attending some of their events.... you'll find out that no matter what your size, somebody will think you're fabulous just the way you are (Heck, might even be too skinny for some guys). :)