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Dumplin' (Dumplin', #1)

Julie Murphy

Start date: July 1, 2017

Finish date: July 31, 2017

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: Beauty Pageant
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What Members Thought

Dec 11, 2018 Rachel rated it really liked it

"Beautiful, he says. Fat, I think. But can't I be both at the same time?"

It's like unheard of for me to watch the movie THEN read the book. For most book/movies, I will speed read the book before even attempting the movie. But it was a stay-in-bed and veg weekend this past weekend so I watched Dumplin' on Netflix, and IT WAS AMAZING. I love Dolly! I love Willowdean! I love drag queens who sing Jolene!

I was so sad when it ended. I needed more Dumplin' so I pulled this out of my TBR pile and moved "Beautiful, he says. Fat, I think. But can't I be both at the same time?"

It's like unheard of for me to watch the movie THEN read the book. For most book/movies, I will speed read the book before even attempting the movie. But it was a stay-in-bed and veg weekend this past weekend so I watched Dumplin' on Netflix, and IT WAS AMAZING. I love Dolly! I love Willowdean! I love drag queens who sing Jolene!

I was so sad when it ended. I needed more Dumplin' so I pulled this out of my TBR pile and moved it to the top, and in an even stranger turn of events, I'm going to say I liked the movie better.

Just hear me out.

The book is amazingly well-written with such clever lines. I highlighted sixteen sentiments that were so poignant and perfect, and as someone who constantly battles with weight it was so nice to see a big girl who didn't have to lose weight to succeed.

But while Willowdean touts herself as someone who is comfortable in her own skin, she doesn't show that as much in the book. She comes across as insecure and prejudiced against thin people, always assuming they're judging her on her weight even if they're not. I think the movie did a better job of handling that without making Will come off as a brat.

And Bo....Bo is kind of a dick in the book. He's hooking up with Will in an abandoned parking lot, keeping her secret, and she's still moon-eyed over him. He's much more swoon-worthy in the movie.

There's also love triangle that was thankfully edited out of the movie. I wish we could edit them out of YA for all eternity, because as I've said before it just makes your MC look bad. Willowdean is totally leading Mitch on, even though she has no interest in him. She's basically using him as vengeance.

Not cool, Willowdean. Not cool.

That being said, the book is mostly centered around boys. The movie focuses more on the female relationships with Willow's Aunt Lucy, her mom and El, and I preferred that take on it, apart from the Hannah/Amanda whitewash combo they used in the movie.

Not cool, Netflix. Not cool.
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Sep 07, 2017 AshleyA (MamaNeedsBooks) rated it liked it

Shelves: library-reads-series

I think this is a solid 3.5 stars for me.

I really wanted to love this book. I wanted to love Will and really root for her, but I found myself unable to do so for so much of the book. It wasn't until the end I feel like she finally was a little redeemable, for me. I think the author made a pretty fair representation of high school friendships among girls and I enjoyed that aspect. I just wish I could have loved Will a little more. ...more

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Mar 28, 2016 Gena rated it really liked it

I don't know what size Julie Murphy is but she knows how a big girl feels. I get tired of those books where the fat girl learns to love herself and feel good about being a size 22. It's not that real, I means we all need to feel good about ourselves but Willowdean's reactios rang true to me. She tried to be that girl, the one who didn't listen to the oinks or the laughter and just be herself. But deep down, with Bo she felt it, felt how hard it would be to face the word when he's a 8 and she's a ...more

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Apr 25, 2015 Lauren rated it really liked it

3.75... it was refreshing to read such a realistic voice, with times of confidence followed by times of uncertainty and self-reflection, then back again. The story never fully engaged me and I couldn't relate to the Dolly Parton references, but the cast was diverse and fun and I'm really glad this book is around for suggesting to teen audiences. ...more

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