Dietland

Sarai Walker

Save:

Who Would Like This Book:

Dietland is a bold, darkly satirical novel that dives into issues of body image, misogyny, and self-acceptance, all through the eyes of its unforgettable protagonist, Plum. The book is refreshingly honest and brings rarely-told stories of fat women to the forefront. Readers who appreciate feminist themes, are interested in the societal pressures placed on women, or love books that spark lively discussions will find plenty to chew on here. If you like your fiction thought-provoking, with a touch of grit and humor, you’ll be hooked.

Who May Not Like This Book:

This book is definitely not for everyone. Some readers have struggled with its credibility, feeling that certain plot twists - especially those involving a militant feminist vigilante group - went too far or overshadowed the main character’s personal journey. The story is also unflinching and can be heavy, sometimes lacking subtlety or nuance. If you prefer your feminism with more gentleness, don’t enjoy satire, or want realistic, tidy storylines and universally sympathetic characters, this might not be your cup of tea.

Wild, messy, and fiercely original - Dietland is a punchy feminist ride that won’t please everyone, but will absolutely get you talking.

About:

Alicia 'Plum' Kettle, a morbidly obese woman, lives a secluded life while working as an anonymous advice columnist to save up for weight reduction surgery. However, her life takes a turn when she encounters a feminist collective, Calliope House, and becomes entangled in their fight against societal expectations. As Plum learns to love herself, a guerrilla group named Jennifer starts targeting misogynists, leading Plum to question conformity versus self-acceptance. The book transitions from a story about weight loss struggles to an underground revolution against sexism, showcasing a mix of real issues and political satire.

Plum's journey in 'Dietland' navigates themes of body image, fat shaming, feminism, and self-acceptance. The narrative unfolds as Plum connects with women challenging societal norms, leading her to question her desire for thinness and embrace her true self. The book delves into the complexities of modern society's treatment of women, blending humor, outrage, and introspection to provoke thought and spark conversations about gender expectations and liberation.

Characters:

The characters, especially Plum, represent various facets of women's struggles with body image and societal expectations, while male characters exemplify misogyny.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is breezy and humorous, layered with critical commentary on weight and feminism, though some readers find it lacks depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around Alicia Kettle, who struggles with her weight and seeks transformation through surgery. Her journey takes a significant turn as she engages with a feminist collective and confronts a violent movement.

Setting:

The story unfolds in modern urban settings, highlighting contemporary issues of body image and feminism within the context of the diet industry.

Pacing:

The pacing shifts from introspective to more action-oriented, with an abrupt transition that some readers find less satisfying.

IT WAS LATE IN THE SPRING when I noticed that a girl was following me, nearly the end of May, a month that means perhaps or might be. She crept into the edges of my consciousness like something blurry...

Notes:

The protagonist, Alicia Kettle (nicknamed Plum), weighs 300 lbs and believes weight loss surgery will change her life.

Plum writes anonymous advice letters for a teen magazine, highlighting the emotional struggles of young girls.

She dreams of becoming 'Alicia', a thinner version of herself, associating that with happiness and acceptance.

The novel intertwines themes of feminism, body image, and societal expectations regarding weight and beauty.

Plum becomes involved with a feminist community and faces radical ideologies, including a vigilante group called 'Jennifer'.

The group, Jennifer, takes extreme actions against men who have harmed women, raising ethical questions about violence and justice.

The book critiques the $60 billion diet industry and how it exploits women's insecurities about their bodies.

Plum faces fat shaming and isolation due to her weight, which resonates with many readers' personal experiences.

The author uses humor and exaggeration to tackle serious topics like misogyny, body image, and self-acceptance.

The novel contrasts Plum's journey toward self-acceptance with the violent actions of the feminist group, questioning the effectiveness of both approaches.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of body shaming, violence against women, and discussions around weight loss surgery and mental health.

From The Publisher:

AN AMC ORIGINAL SERIES

FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MARTI NOXON,

STARRING JOY NASH AND JULIANNA MARGULIES

A Best Book of the Year

Entertainment Weekly

Bustle

Amazon

Women's National Book Association

Kirkus Reviews

BookPage

Kobo

LitReactor

"Audacious and gutsy and heartbreaking - Dietland completely blew me away." - Jennifer Weiner

The diet revolution is here. And it's armed.

Plum Kettle does her best not to be noticed, because when you're fat, to be noticed is to be judged. With her job answering fan mail for a teen magazine, she is biding her time until her weight-loss surgery. But when a mysterious woman in colorful tights and combat boots begins following her, Plum falls down a rabbit hole into the world of Calliope House - an underground community of women who reject society's rules - and is forced to confront the real costs of becoming "beautiful." At the same time, a guerilla group begins terrorizing a world that mistreats women, and Plum becomes entangled in a sinister plot. The consequences are explosive.

"A giddy revenge fantasy that will shake up your thinking and burrow under your skin" (Entertainment Weekly), Dietland takes on the beauty industry, gender inequality, and our weight-loss obsession - with fists flying.

May 2015

•

340 pages

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (21):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (11)
Not Interested (8)

What can you read after
Dietland?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Sarai Walker is the author of the novel Dietland, which has been published in more than a dozen countries and adapted as a television series for AMC. She has lectured on feminism and body image internationally, and has spoken about these topics widely in the media. Her articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian and elsewhere, and she worked as a writer and editor on an updated version of Our Bodies, Ourselves. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Bennington College and a PhD in English from the University of London. She lives in Philadelphia.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.