13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl is a novel that explores the life of Elizabeth as she grows from a young girl to an adult. As a child, she is teased because she is fat, and is scarred forever because of it. Her childhood friend, named Mel, seems to be the only one who doesn't mind until Elizabeth gets a boyfriend named Tom. Elizabeth decides to lose weight to benefit herself and moves to a city apartment.
Mona Awad is a Canadian novelist most famous for her book 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl. Awad wrote this book because, as a child, she became frustrated with people criticizing her body. The major theme of the book is that body image doesn't truly matter in the scheme of things - we see this when Elizabeth witnesses someone struggle to escape a fire while they are in the gym. Since 2009, Awad has lived in Boston.
"13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl" by Mona Awad is a compelling exploration of body image, self-perception, and societal expectations. Published in 2016, this debut novel takes readers on a journey through the life of Lizzie, a young woman navigating the complexities of adolescence and adulthood while grappling with body image issues. Awad's narrative unfolds in a series of interconnected stories, each offering a nuanced perspective on Lizzie's evolving relationship with her body and the world around her.
The novel skillfully dissects the societal pressures and stereotypes that surround body image, shedding light on how women, particularly those deemed "fat," are scrutinized and judged. Awad's writing is both sharp and empathetic, capturing the intricacies of Lizzie's internal struggles and the external influences that shape her perceptions. Through a series of vignettes, the author explores the impact of societal beauty standards on individual identity, illuminating the often-unspoken challenges faced by those who don't conform to narrow definitions of beauty.
"13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl" is a thought-provoking and honest portrayal of the complexities of self-perception and the pursuit of acceptance in a society that often imposes unrealistic ideals. Mona Awad's novel offers a poignant examination of the impact of societal expectations on women's lives, prompting readers to reflect on the broader cultural conversations surrounding body image and the relentless pursuit of an elusive "ideal" appearance
