Customer Reviews

Real Gorgeous: The Truth about Body and Beauty

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I Loved this book. Nicely demonstrates the affect society has on a woman's self image, and helps to combat that. Plus, it's just a fun read.

Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyable. I would say it's probably better for late teen girls, but definitely a must for anyone struggling with self-image issues or qundry's of how to remain perfect in an imperfect society.

The self-esteem booster book Real Gorgeous by Kaz Cooke is a fun way to learn more about yourself and others. The target audience is women, but it is suitable for men also. (It might humor them) The book helped me to overcome a false body image and accept my body the way it is. Actually, I love my body the way it is and this book contributed to my new outlook. I highly recommend Real Gorgeous to females from 15 to 150 years of age. It is funny, practical, and useful.

This book is fun and very tongue-in-cheek and makes you feel good about those cute chunky thighs. The book is promoted for women "11-111", but it is NOT appropriate for girls in their early teen years. I bought the book for my 12 year old daughter, but I'm glad I read it first. I will not be giving it to her. Some of the drawings are a bit too graphic, and sexuality is mentioned as though the reader is sexually active. This book is OK for grown women, but not for young girls as it will only further bewilder them.

This bright pink book just screams for attention. Australian author Kaz Cooke is well known for her cartoons, films, and writing. Her humorous book provides delightful wisdom about a variety of female topics: nutrition, dieting, the fashion industry, and self-image to name a few. As Cooke says, We want to find out how to stop seeing our bodies as the enemy. And hey, lets face it, we wouldnt mind a laugh while were at it. Cooke manages to provide serious, thoughtful information in a casual, appealing manner. Because the text is divided by bold titles and subtitles, it is easy to pick it up and flip through to a subject of interest. The text is broken up by cartoons, quotes, and quizzes. One of the best parts of the book is the Contacts and Further Reading lists at the end of each topic. The book is sassy and fun, great for kids from 14-103. Some of the humor may go over the heads of younger readers. This version has been Americanized, changing metric measures to American measures.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I teach body image and self esteem to teens and this book is one the "reference" books I use. I also send home a list of good books for both teens and their mothers to read. This book is at the top of the list. Kaz takes most of the popular myth about beauty and the industry and blows it away with fact and humor.

Who is Kaz Cooke and why haven't I heard of her? Cooke is another creative artist from down under. The Australian writer, cartoonist, filmmaker and columnist has a slew of works to her name. She is the creator of Hermoine, the Modern Girl, a colourful caricature who's also featured between the pages of Real Gorgeous.

Real Gorgeous is about body shapes, body parts, exercise, plastic surgery, fashion, dieting, advertising, modelling, eating disorders, responding to the body police and so much more. Yes, it's a women's book but it is often directed toward girls too. It touches on so many topics relating to the body and beauty; providing some research, some quotes and some of the authors own opinions. Each chapter has suggestions for further reading.

Real Gorgeous isn't a fat book but a body image book. Anyone is sure to find at least one of the anecdotes in the shadow boxes, placed throughout each chapter, to relate to. If there's one thing, this book shows it's that body image issues are more of a global issue than just within our group of friends. Canadians, Australians, and Americans are all dealing with similar issues regarding body image. Body image issues are also not delegated to one body type. Fat people don't have the monopoly on bad body image.

It acknowledges the impact of family, friends, media and self perception on body image. Cooke exposes the fashion and diet industry for what they are... People "trying to sell you something." She is quick to point out all the money we spend needlessly and what we're really getting for it. A real eye opener.

Cooke summarizes a lot of points from others work to back up what she's saying. Not a page goes by without a quote from someone else. Many relevant quotes from Penelope Goward appear. There are quite a few anonymous quotes like, "a New York make-up artist says..." which I found irritating and at times caused me to question their validity.

Sometimes it seems Cooke is checking to see if the reader is paying attention and will stick in nonsense comments, like during a listing of healthy eating she added, "Don't stick popcorn up your nose." Silly but unexpected and funny none the less.

There's an excellent section called Body Image Boosters the reader can return to again and again for ideas on how to give yourself a break from your own negativity. One of my favourite sections is what to say to the "Body Police". You know those people who never really have anything nice to say to you or who offer a compliment with a negative tag on the end.

Real Gorgeous is an informative, light read with many sections for the stop and start reader. It provides an alternative look at the body and beauty from a personal perspective and that of others. An excellent book to have around.

Review Originally Posted at http://largeandlovely.bellaonline.com

This book is absolutely-without-a-doubt-fabulous. I have been having some body image issues lately. I pulled Real Gorgeous out again and reminded myself that I am beautiful--not in spite of--but because I am a curvy, soft woman. I need to get away from the constant bombardment of messages (from the media and other people) telling me I need to lose weight to be a worthwhile human being. I like the author's style of discussing all sorts of issues women face without condescention. The illustrations are delightful, too.