Size 12 is Not Fat - my book review

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Just wow. Who knew a book with a title of "Size 12 is Not Fat" could be so mind-blowing? I didn't know what to expect, but certainly nothing like this. Wow.

First of all, it is hilarious! Oh my god, it made me laugh a lot. Heather Wells is this loveable, bumbling overweight average weight former teen pop star. As Rachel says, she is just so nice. Everyone wants to be her friend. Reading this book in first-person perspective is very effective. If it was told in third, then there is no way I would shelve this book under comedy. But Heather herself, with her somewhat distracting side-commentary, gives you a first-class view of what her view of the world is like. And, wow, is it a meticulous one.

The relationship (or should I say camaraderie) between Heather and Cooper is next. I don't want to reveal too much, but you can tell, from the very first time that Heather mentions Cooper, that she is head-over-heels in love with him. But as an audience member, it is obvious that this is an unrequited love. Heather sort of knows this too, but she's in denial, and will continue to imagine, ehm... *cough*ripping*cough*his*cough*clothes*cough*off*cough.

Looking back at the title of this book, what do you expect it to be about? A depressed, anorexic teen with weight management problems? Hm, not really. Not really at all. I can tell you this: It's about a murder mystery. Yep, you read it right. A murder mystery.

The final showdown is, should I say, side-splittingly hilarious. But epic at the same time. (And may I add that there's no knight in shining armour at the rescue? Just to put that out.) I can guarantee that you'll enjoy it, 'cos I did.

Now to the old-fashioned conclusion...

Throughout Heather's whole journey, I think she's has grown into a slightly more skeptical person: of herself and others. It's rewarding, seeing this woman with so little self-esteem and only the smallest shards of pride, seeing herself in a brighter light. Not to say that Size 12 Is Not Fat is those moralistic books that resemble self-help books and enlighten your understanding of the earth's existence, but it does show you that no matter what size you are, you're not fat you can change the world. Whether you take this literally or not literally, it doesn't matter.

Note: I'm putting Size 14 Is Not Fat Either on my to-read list, right now!




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