Skinny Women Are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World [Paperback]

Mo'Nique Imes Jackson (Author), Sherri A. McGee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2004

It is NO secret that I am a BIG girl.

Always have been, always will be.

The only way I'll ever wear a size 6, or even a 16, is if you add them together. That's right: I wear a size 22. And I'm proud, because I wear it well.

Hell, even Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder can see that!

Such is the life -- and largesse -- of Mo'Nique, one of America's best-loved plus-size personalities. "I really wish I didn't have to write this book," writes Mo'Nique. "But it appears I have no choice. Especially when BIG girls are still subjected to ridicule simply because we've been blessed with a few extra pounds." In Skinny Women Are Evil, Mo'Nique strips away the stigma of being weight-challenged and introduces a new vocabulary in which F.A.T. is FABULOUS AND THICK and a woman who is "skinny" is just plain evil. Why? Because America gives them the comfortable airline seats, the fashionable clothes, and the lead roles in the Hollywood blockbusters. So how can a F.A.T. girl learn to operate in the it's-a-small-world after all? In this hilarious, heartwarming book, women of all sizes, shapes, and colors can benefit from Mo'Nique's Fat Girls' Survival Tips, a handy Thin-O-Meter, and a generous portion of advice about dating, eating, dressing, undressing, and much more.

Skinny Women Are Evil is Mo'Nique's testament to living large and loving it. So go on, dig in!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Actress Mo'Nique, of UPN's The Parkers, has been large since she was a kid. When she was rejected as a teenager trying out for the cheerleading squad, she responded, Damn it, do you know how hard it is to get 200 pounds up in the air? I should have made the squad for that trick alone. Accustomed to being called Chunky Butt and Shamu, Mo'Nique has a pretty bright outlook on life; for her, it's one's mind, not the size of her behind, that counts. She explains why fat trumps thin and advises single-digit sisters (those whose dress size is eight or smaller) to move over or scoot the fuck out of the way because the FAT is gonna hit the fire and you will get burned. The author's belief that society places too much emphasis on being thin is unquestionably sound, but her manner of empowering big women leaves much to be desired. Instead of helping readers, Mo'Nique denigrates them (e.g., a typical day for a big girl, she says, includes less than five hours of work and the rest of the day eating and socializing; while a skinny girl spends over 12 hours working and the rest of the day eating and exercising). Although Mo'Nique's brassy style, blunt prose and lack of organization may not faze her readers, the book isn't likely to change society's treatment of big women and merely perpetuates a stereotype.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Patti LaBelle As a comedic actress, she has proven to be one of the best in the business. As a woman and friend, she's one of the most endearing people I know. Now as an author, she shows us her humanness with a touch of laughter on the side. Don't sleep on Skinny Women Are Evil -- it will help you see life from a whole new perspective!

Shaquille O'Neal Mo'Nique's funniness is a million levels above funny. She's so funny there hasn't been a word to describe her talent. They say laughing is one of the biggest relievers of stress. Mo'Nique has been my stress reliever for three years.

Steve Harvey Mo'Nique is straight crazy.

Suzanne de Passe Strap on your sense of humor; Mo'Nique has a wild ride in store for you!

Sara Finney-Johnson Executive Producer, The Parkers Working with Mo'Nique has been the most rewarding experience of my career. She is a treasured friend and a tremendously talented, warm, and courageous woman. She's a star who has managed to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Judge Mathis The verdict is in. Mo'Nique has proven that full-figured women can be Large and In Charge.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743244567
• ISBN-13: 978-0743244565
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #776,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disgraceful Book, July 28, 2008

By 

mstrina911 (Philly, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skinny Women Are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World (Paperback)

I am a plus size female who is very confident, fashionable and poised. I purchased this book because I wanted to see Monique's attemp to uplift the Big Girls. I was very disappointed and would not reccommend this book to anyone. This book does nothing but perpetuate sterotypes and encourage Big Girls to eat until they can't walk. This was an autobiography of sorts and pretty much talks about her experience. I couldn't relate to most the themes expressed in this book, as my day does not revolve around food. If you let her tell it, Big Girls eat all day every day and when we are at the mall we stop two or times to eat. It was just rediculous. In addition, the depiction of slim girls was just wrong. This was a waste of money. I'm glad I only ordered a used version for a couple of bucks. Hopefully, someone will write a real book that speaks about self-acceptance, finding your way and being your own fabulous self.

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, February 1, 2006

By 

doll (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skinny Women Are Evil : Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World (Hardcover)

Terrible and boring

In this book Mo'nique does exactlly what she says she hates sterotypes.In the book she blames skinny women for everything.This book is a ego bashing boost.I am a big girl and I found this book a Big Bore.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Say it Loud: I'm THICK and I'm PROUD, April 21, 2003

By 

L. Taylor Grover (Central, South Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skinny Women Are Evil : Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World (Hardcover)

Some of the reviews I read earlier on this book made me wary of purchasing it, but I enjoy Mo's comedic material, and I decided to give the book a read....

This book is written conversationally and follows the same flow as much of the talented comedienne's stand-up routines. While there were many jokes about eating and fatness, she did admonish those of us who are "thick" or "fluffy" to take care of ourselves: exercising moderately daily, not overindulging in fat-laced foods, and receiving regular physical check-ups. She extols on the virtues of loving oneself, embracing tasteful feminity at any size, and tactfully addressing the problems of fat discrimination and put-downs by so-called "evil ones" -- those who will overlook one's virtues and character simply because she is overweight.

Reading her book was an absolute delight, and her antecdotes interweaved with her personal and familial experiences make this book a must-read!