The Forbidden Body: Why Being Fat is Not a Sin (Issues in Women's Health series) [Paperback]

Shelley Bovey (Author, Preface)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Targeting society's fat taboo and unrealistic view of body image, Shelley Bovey offers a new battle cry for "fat girls" everywhere: Don't lose weight--lose guilt and inhibition!

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: Pandora Press; Second edition edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0044408714
• ISBN-13: 978-0044408710
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #692,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Facts to fight Fat prejudice!, June 25, 2000

By 

Alison (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Forbidden Body: Why Being Fat is Not a Sin (Issues in Women's Health series) (Paperback)

This book really is a gem. As a fat woman looking for books that will give me some power to combat the prejudice I feel this book was worth every dollar. It is written in an easy to read style, making it accessible to all and unlike many books on fat and weight prejudice this book is relevant to men as well as women. The book is loaded with facts that destroy the myths associated with being fat. After reading this book I feel armed with plenty of truths, whether it be to combat a bogus health issue or a discriminatory value judgement. This really is essential reading for anyone on the road to stopping dieting. The author always recognises that the road to self acceptance is a struggle and in fact, due to our society's current values, never ending. The section on the physical effects of stress that fat people are subjected to because of society's intolerance is truly eye opening as is the knowledge that in cultures where fat is accepted fat people live healthy and happy long lives. I can't convey fully how empowering and important this work is. I just wish I could get my mother-in-law to read it!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on the subject I've ever read, March 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Forbidden Body: Why Being Fat is Not a Sin (Issues in Women's Health series) (Paperback)

Shelley Bovey is a writer on health subjects, as well as a fat woman who's been through all the guilt, humiliation, and self-loathing that fat women experience constantly, so she knows whereof she writes. She argues convincingly that weight and morality have been inappropriately intertwined: the real issue isn't health but denial of the "untidier" aspects of ourselves. Excellent reading for anyone who's struggled with a "weight problem" -- and those who love them.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Forbidden Body : Why Being Fat Is Not a Sin, July 3, 2001

By 

"chohawni" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Forbidden Body: Why Being Fat is Not a Sin (Issues in Women's Health series) (Paperback)

I don't say this about many books, but this one changed my life. It made me feel ten times better and destroyed the myths about dieting & the "dangers" of being fat. You know you're living in an insane world when you're told that your respiratory problem is due to being overweight (mine is actually due to an allergy) - a trivial misdiagnosis but in some cases it could be fatal. Read this book, even if you're a stick insect. You are free to be who and what you are, not what is prescribed by the media.