Fat Is A Feminist Issue
📘 About This Book
'A classic that will help you face the demands of 21st century living' Stylist 'Revolutionary' The Times ------ Susie Orbach's seminal work, now established as a worldwide classic, shows how fat is not about food, but rather about politics, defiance, protection, sex, strength, assertion, anger, love. This edition includes a new introduction that explores how the landscape of bodies and food has shifted in our online age, bringing this iconic book to a new generation of readers. ------ 'Groundbreaking in 1978, Orbach's original exploration of the body fascism of diets and body obsession is even more relevant today' Guardian 'A pioneering feminist text' Vice
📖 Summary
Susie Orbach's seminal work, Fat Is A Feminist Issue, established as a worldwide classic in the realm of social science, fundamentally reframes how society views weight, eating, and the female body. First published and later updated with a contemporary introduction, the book challenges the conventional notion that fat is simply about food consumption. Instead, Orbach argues that weight and body obsession are deeply intertwined with politics, defiance, protection, sex, strength, assertion, anger, and love. Rather than viewing compulsive eating or dieting as personal failures of willpower, the text diagnoses them as symptoms of a broader cultural and psychological landscape that subjugates women through body fascism. Orbach explores how women use weight as a psychological shield, a political statement, or an expression of inner turmoil in a world that constantly polices their physical appearance. The updated 2010 edition brings these insights into the 21st century, addressing how the modern online age, digital connectivity, and contemporary diet cultures have further shifted the landscape of bodies and food. Groundbreaking since its inception, the book serves as a pioneering feminist text that helps readers navigate the relentless demands of modern body obsession. By shifting the focus away from restrictive diets and toward an understanding of the emotional and social functions of fat, Orbach invites a new generation of readers to untangle their relationship with food and reclaim agency over their bodies. It is a comprehensive exploration that bridges personal struggle and collective social critique, offering a liberating perspective on why women internalize societal pressures and how they can begin to dismantle them.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Pioneering and revolutionary perspective on body image and eating
Deeply relevant to modern digital and diet cultures
Shifts blame away from individual willpower and toward social structures
Empowering and liberating read for women
⚠️ Cons
May challenge deeply ingrained beliefs about dieting and weight loss
Focuses heavily on psychological and political analysis rather than quick dietary tips
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
What is the main premise of Fat Is A Feminist Issue? +
The book argues that weight and eating habits are not about food, but rather about politics, psychology, protection, and social control.
Who wrote the book? +
It was written by renowned psychotherapist and feminist author Susie Orbach.
How does the 2010 edition differ from earlier versions? +
The 2010 edition includes a new introduction exploring how the landscape of bodies and food has shifted in the online age.
Why is the book considered a feminist text? +
It connects body fascism and diet culture directly to the systemic oppression and societal policing of women's bodies.
Is this book relevant for modern readers? +
Yes, critics and reviewers note that its exploration of body obsession is even more relevant in today's digital and diet-obsessed culture.
