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Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty [Paperback]

Kaz Cooke (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)

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Book Description

February 17, 1996

A hilarious and empowering book for girls and women who are insecure about their body image.

Take it from Kaz Cooke: "There are millions of gorgeous body shapes. Yours is one of them. Dieting doesn't work. Your thighs are pretty cute. Exercise should be fun not duty. Cheap cosmetics can be as good as expensive ones. Advertising lies. Plastic surgery sucks. Modeling can be miserable. You can recover from an eating disorder. You can read magazines and watch television critically. You can fight the Body Police."

At last, here is a book that tells you how to be friends with your body. Real Gorgeous is a big, funny, reassuring read about fashion fibs and diet myths—and the truth about, among other things, push-ups, push-up bras, and the great cellulite scam. It is meticulously researched and sensible, but it avoids impenetrable theory and instead embraces the fun of clothes, makeup, and life in general.

Packed with jokes, Cooke's own cartoons, and practical ways to find real self-esteem and avoid freak-outs and rip-offs, Real Gorgeous is easy to read, relevant, and an indispensable boost for women aged 11 to 111.

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers $13.60

Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty + Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers
  • This item: Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty

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  • Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Kaz Cooke knew women needed a book that cut through the confusing and cruel messages about body image, beauty, eating disorders, diets, and cosmetic surgery. "Mostly, we needed a book that wasn't trying to sell us anything except self-confidence and the truth," says Cooke. "I couldn't find one so I had to write one." Written in the spirit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of body acceptance, Cooke playfully challenges some of the most oppressive misogynists of the 20th century: the beauty, fashion, and diet industries. Simultaneously funny and reassuring, Cooke boldly asserts her opinions and research on push-up bras (they dig and hurt), cellulite (it's a cosmetic company-induced condition, not a medical condition), and fashion models ("some of the most insecure, tortured souls around"). The cartoon illustrations offer comic and compassionate accents to this poignant discussion.

From Publishers Weekly

Australian filmmaker and newspaper columnist Cooke shoots as straight from the hip as Dr. Ruth when discussing body image. Although her jocular tone and clever cartoons often make this book more appropriate for young teens than adults (e.g., "Like a little old caterpillar programmed to become a butterfly, our grown-up shapes are already decided before we are born."), her no-nonsense pronouncements on the ultimate uselessness of moisturizer and the eating disorder- inducing tactics of the fashion industry are wonderfully refreshing. Some of this ground has already been covered, but Cooke's irreverence is all-inclusive: she reels off statistics and examples (particularly damaging are quotes from fashion magazines); doesn't wince from explaining why, scientifically speaking, "No cream or lotion in the world will firm or shape or enlarge or reduce your breasts"; and even supplies practical advice on how to deal with (or answer back to) people who feel compelled to comment on others' bodies. Cooke tries to be funny and very often succeeds, but she is never coy or condescending, and there is plenty of serious stuff mixed in with the cheery advice. Dissections of advertisements and their phony techno-speak are priceless, and her cartoons have the same mordant wit. A complete list of resources rounds out this hefty, funny reference.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (February 17, 1996)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0393313557
  • ISBN-13: 978-0393313550
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

33 Reviews
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4 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (33 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Really, Really Gorgeous!, December 7, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty (Paperback)
This is a great book for anyone who is feeling like a 'space-porker from hell'. Kaz Cooke tells the truth about dieting, modelling, body image and much more. The section on cosmetic surgery and why it is not a good thing was really useful to me. The information is presented in a frank, easily readable way, with funny cartoons and tips on how to deal with the 'body police' and the 'style police'. This book taught me to feel good about who I am and that my personality is more important than my looks. I especially liked 'Social Blunder Woman' and the 'Sensible Underpants' cartoons.I really enjoyed reading (and re-reading) this great book and anyone who has ever felt like they are worthless, fat or ugly will too. An excellent read for women (and men!) of all ages.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Every teenage girl should read this book, and most women, December 8, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty (Paperback)
Kaz Cooke is a friend to women everywhere. One of those friends who can tell you the truth and still make you feel better. The book covers issues like body image, advertising, make-up and beauty myths. It will give you a boost, as well as a laugh, and a lot of really useful, sensible information. It could just change the way you look at dieting, health, fashion etc. Lots of perspective and a breath of fresh air. There are plenty of cartoons, drawings and real life letters, tips on what to say to "the body police" and ideas on how to boost your body image, amongst other things. This book is a good counterpoint to the madness that young women go through every day. It's a sensible, mature healthy way to live and think.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Gain a better body image and actually have fun with it!, October 21, 2001
By 
Karin Couture (Augusta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty (Paperback)
If you have ever doubted your looks or just one part of your body, this book is for you. I think every woman but espicially teenagers should read this book. It gives you a normal way to view your body and all it's parts. You get an objective view on fashion magazines, models, actresses, thighs, breasts, etc. You get references to other books and organizations and some feedback and comments from real woman throughout the book. But what makes this so different from all other self esteem books is that it is funny! It is truthful and helpful but also funny and smart with drawings and cartoons that leave you saying " I am ok and i like myself." I reccommend this book to ALL women.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Whoopsie, where did these curvy bits come from? Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
real gorgeous, beauty pages, style police
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, United States, Penelope Goward, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Harper's Bazaar, Elle Macpherson, Estée Lauder, Naomi Campbell, Jenny Craig, Melbourne University, Naomi Wolf, Sydney University, The Beauty Myth, Carol Alt, Christian Dior, Diane Parks, Geneen Roth, Los Angeles, Mars Bars, Queensland University
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