Customer Reviews

The Fattening Hut

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This book is gripping from the first line to the last. It is the coming of age story of a young girl growing up on a mythical island. This book is evocative of what all young women grapple with when coming to terms with womanhood, and what society requests of young women in order for them to be acceptable in society. Great read. This book is feminist in the sense that this young girl fights for her right to be more than what men want. What with all the willing participants in girls gone wild this should be required reading for all young girls.

Written in verse, the story follows a girl on the verge of maturity. She belongs to a tribe of people living on an island. When girls are of marriageable age, they are isolated in a fattening hut where the other women feed the girls until they are fat and attractive for their husband. Helen does not want to eat and she doesn't gain weight much to her family's disgrace. What's more, her aunt who has been disowned by the tribe for her English-influenced ways, is hinting that Helen must run. Something worse than being fattened for marriage is to come!

Wow! Intense and beautifully written story about a difficult subject and wonderfully handled! I loved Helen and her bravery and strength in fighting what is expected of her. This is now my favorite novel by this author.