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Dumplin'

Book 1 in the series:Dumplin'

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"Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that follows Willowdean Dickson, a self-proclaimed fat girl who decides to enter a beauty pageant as a protest. The book explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and body image through the journey of Willowdean and her group of misfit friends as they challenge beauty standards and societal expectations. The writing style is bold, sassy, and humorous, addressing issues such as bullying, body positivity, and grief in a relatable and empowering manner.

Characters:

The characters, particularly Willowdean, are well-developed and relatable, each facing their struggles while supporting one another through common teenage experiences.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is humorous and relatable, weaving together candid dialogue with introspective moments that resonate with readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows a confident fat girl navigating body image issues, the challenges of young adulthood, and the societal pressures of beauty as she enters a beauty pageant.

Setting:

Set in a small Texan town, the backdrop highlights the societal norms and pressures surrounding beauty contests and body image.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady with moments of intensity, but some parts may feel rushed, especially surrounding key events like the pageant.
The song that sealed the deal was “Dumb Blonde” from her 1967 debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly. During the summer before first grade, my aunt Lucy bonded with Mrs. Dryver over their mutual devotion to Do...

Notes:

Willowdean Dickson, known as Dumplin', is a confident fat girl dealing with self-image issues.
The story is set in Clover City, Texas, highlighting the peculiar culture of beauty pageants.
Willowdean uses humor and music (especially Dolly Parton songs) to navigate her challenges.
The book emphasizes themes of body positivity and self-acceptance.
Willowdean enters a beauty pageant to prove that beauty comes in all sizes.
The novel explores the complexities of friendship, particularly between Willow and her best friend, Ellen.
Dumplin' showcases a range of thoughtful characters, including a lesbian friend and other 'misfit' contestants.
Willowdean's relationship with her mother struggles due to conflicting views on body image and beauty standards.
The narrative includes a love triangle that reflects Willow's insecurities and struggles with self-worth.
Despite anxieties about her body, Willowdean grapples with romance, which complicates her self-image.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Dumplin' include discussions of body image issues, fat shaming, bullying, grief and loss, and parental expectations.

Has Romance?

The book features a medium level of romance, with notable interest in relationships but it primarily focuses on personal growth.

From The Publisher:

Now a Netflix feature film, starring Jennifer Aniston, Danielle Macdonald, and Dove Cameron, as well as a soundtrack from Dolly Parton!

The #1 New York Times bestseller and feel-good YA of the year-about Willowdean Dixon, the fearless, funny, and totally unforgettable heroine who takes on her small town's beauty pageant.

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed "Dumplin'" by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body.

With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy's, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn't surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant-along with several other unlikely candidates-to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any girl does.

Along the way, she'll shock the hell out of Clover City-and maybe herself most of all.

Ratings (10)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (6)
It Was OK (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (27):

Read It (10)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (6)
 
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