Zaftig: The Case for Curves (Hardcover)

~ Edward St Paige (Author), Edward Paige (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Zaftig is a Yiddish word meaning ripe or luscious, and is commonly applied to curvaceous women. This book celebrates these women principally through its many reproductions of paintings, and through quotations from those who argue for the attractiveness of zaftig women.

The arguments for feminine substance are arranged thematically, and include an attack on the cult of thinness, a defense of zaftig as a natural state, an exploration of eras such as the Victorian age, in which abundance was preferred, and an examination of subcultures in which heavy women rule, as on the opera stage.

From the Inside Flap

Zaftig is a Yiddish word meaning ripe or luscious, and is commonly applied to curvaceous women. This book celebrates these women principally through its many reproductions of paintings, but also through quotations from those who argue for the attractiveness of zaftig women.

Some of the painters reproduced are: Rembrandt, Titian, Correggio, Lord Leighton, Diego Rivera, Rubens, Renoir, Reginald Marsh, Picasso, Giovanni Bellini, Ingres, Klimt, Mucha, Tamara de Lempicka, and Camille Bombois.

The arguements for feminine substance are arranged thematically, and include an attack on the cult of thinness; a defense of the zaftig as a natural state; an exploration of eras, such as the Victorian age, in which abundance was preferred; and an examination of subcultures in which heavy women rule, as on the opera stage.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Laughing Elephant (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883211174
• ISBN-13: 978-1883211172
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #640,211 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waited 30 years!, February 22, 2000

By A Customer

FINALLY! As a healthy zaftig woman, I have suffered the indignities & prejudices, been on every diet known to (wo)man since 1970, only to gain more...the most gain of all with today's "low fat" theory...then flipped the coin and tried fat acceptance, subscribing to the mags and buying the books. Some help, but this fabulous look at these beautiful...no, stunning...women of art is the FIRST thing, in 30 years, that has me holding my head high and looking at my body in an entirely new way. By gosh, I think I like it! The paintings themselves say it all, the quotes and author's comments are bonuses. I can't stop looking at the Renoirs and have, in fact, ordered several prints that will be proudly displayed prominently in my home. Shame be gone, "Zaftig" shall remain on my coffee table where I can see it every day. Egads, I'm S-E-X-Y! You ladies who know the routine I described re diets, etc, BUY THIS BOOK. Men, if you're having a hard time convincing your wife she looks beautiful "just the way she is", BUY THIS BOOK (she just might not want the lights out all the time!). Everyone buy it for every zaftig woman you love. A true liberator!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fat is Fabulous- Take a Look!, October 14, 1999

By	Alison (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

I could not believe my eyes when I found this wonderful book. Here was the evidence I had been looking for- fat is beautiful. Artists through the ages have painted (what we consider)large women. This is a lovely collection of some fine examples. It was so uplifting to look at. There are some inspirational quotes throughout. My only negative point- and it is only minor, is that the minature essays by the author aren't quite as impressive. Don't worry, go back and look at the paintings, they speak for themselves. I really can't convey how important this work is, especially to all us fat women out there that have a suspicion that they are beautiful but just need the proof!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's wonderful to be a woman!, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

After reading this book I no longer felt ashamed that my body isn't akin to Twiggy or Kate Moss. Soft curves and a healthy body are a wonderful formula according to the author -why must we emaciate our feminine attributes? Buy this book for the woman you love, it's a healthy alternative to starvation diets and malnutrition.