Making Light of Being Heavy...Review

About the book:
These days everyone has a society-driven mindset and totally forget to laugh, especially at themselves. This may be cliche but the author truly believes that laughter is the best medicine and thinks everybody should laugh every day. Period. 

Over the years as a person blessed with the fat gene, Kandy has been in many situations where if she could not find humor she probably would end up on the couch in the psychiatrist s office. This book is about as politically incorrect as it gets for such a subject but it is also based on reality. This is a reality that many women have just like Kandy but do not think they can (or should) at times just laugh about it. Her intention when she started writing this book was to hopefully give insight to many who could never relate but at the same time perhaps provide a different perspective to women just like her. It is a point of view that has given her the strength to live her life happily and project these feelings onto everyone she comes in contact with. She has a great sense of humor and a quick wit and guarantees you will be laughing (and thinking) with each chapter of Making Light of Being Heavy

I'm not quite sure what I expected when I agreed to review this book. The teaser certainly sounded great:

"These days everyone has a society-driven mindset and totally forget to laugh, especially at themselves. This may be cliche but I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine and I think everybody should laugh every day. Period. Over the years as a person blessed with the fat gene, I have been in many situations where if I could not find humor I probably would end up on the couch in the psychiatrist's office. This book is about as politically incorrect as it gets for such a subject but it is also based on reality. This is a reality that many women have just like me, but do not think they can (or should) at times just laugh about it.

My intention when I started writing this book was to hopefully give insight to many who could never relate but at the same time perhaps provide a different perspective to women just like me. It is a point of view that has given me the strength to live my life happily and project these feelings onto everyone I come in contact with. I have a great sense of humor and a quick wit and guarantee you will be laughing (and thinking) with each chapter of
Making Light of Being Heavy."


While I could relate to many of the author's thoughts and experiences, since I have struggled with my own weight issues for most of my life, I didn't find the book funny. Oh, it had funny parts, and I do agree that you need to love yourself the way you are, and that everyone is different physically. I also truly believe that humor and laughter can get you through hard times. I can also be as politically incorrect as the next person, but this was a forced, sarcastic humor that didn't appeal to me. Instead, I sensed an underlying layer of sadness through out it.

Like I said, I'm not sure what I expected in the first place though. I know that many others will really enjoy it, and I am glad that the author has accepted herself and can laugh find humor in situations that could be painful and embarrassing.

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Kandy Siahaya and purchase the book here or here. You can find other, more positive reviews here, at As The Pages Turn, Great Books and Fresh Coffee, and divine caroline.

Read 5/09


1/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I don't like humor like that, so I don't think this is a book for me.

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  2. Making Light of Being Heavy does not have one bit of underlying "sadness" throughout it and to say it was "forced" in any way is ridiculous. It is too bad you missed the actual point of the book but, again, that is your opinion and your own personal interpretation. Making Light of Being Heavy is Kandy's...I think I like Kandy's better!!

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  3. tottara,

    Yes, it is my opinion. And isn't that the nice thing about opinions: everyone has one and often, they are different. Thanks for yours. If my review offended you, then I could also say that you missed the actual point of it. I simply stated how I felt about the book, and the fact that my opinion is different than yours, doesn't make yours right and mine wrong or vice versa.

    What one reader likes, another doesn't, and for authors or readers to think that everyone will love and adore a book the way they do is unrealistic. It certainly makes for interesting discussions, doesn't it?

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  4. Offended me? No, not at all but thanks for your concern. Have a nice day!

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  5. Oh boy! You were brave to publish this comment.And you are right,our reviews are just our own opinions.Not in any way do we suggest otherwise.I think you handled this very well.Congrats!

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  6. I read Making Light of Being Heavy and found it to be eye opening and very funny. I do not feel it was sarcastic because to me sarcasm implies having contempt to a certain degree and I didn't get that feel from it, more like glib because it truly seemed to be her personality. I wish her the best.

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  7. Thank you, Holly, for taking the time to read Making Light of Being Heavy and giving a review. I anticipated negative impressions of my perspective and never once presumed everyone would like my book. A big thanks to my Making Light of Being Heavy supporters and your comments!

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  8. I read Making Light of Being Heavy and found myself laughing with every turn of a page. I disagree that there is an "underlying sadness" or "forced humor". Kandy has a unique gift. I have never considered myself skinny, but have never struggled with my weight either. This book was very enlightening and enjoyable and should be read by all!

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  9. I just did a review of this book also. I pretty much feel the same way as you. I was not to thrilled in the end.

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  10. I wasn't go to post again but...I read the Social Frog review and there again she missed the point of Making Light of Being Heavy. The diets were in the book to make the point that to a person that needs to lose weight that is what they are confronted with on a daily basis and as far as "unfinished", it is not a fiction novel. It is observations from a fat chick. In reading some of the other "reviews" of The Social Frog she always liked books with death. Well, Kandy is still alive. I am sure she fully expected some just to not grasp the point of the book. Kandy, I got your point and I am sure many others have and will as well and I still think you rock!!!!! I hope you aren't letting these negative "reviews" bug you.

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  11. I wasn't going to post again but...I read The Social Frog review and there again we have someone who just didn't get the book. The diets in the book were put in there to prove a point about what people who needed to lose weight were confronted with on a daily basis, not to recommend them. Her comment about "unfinished" just blew me away becuase it is not a fictional novel, it is observations from a fat chick. In looking at other reviews from this person apparently she likes books with death. Kandy, I got your point and your rock!! I hope you aren't letting these negative "reviews" bug you.

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  12. Wow, thanks Tottarra for all your support! Negative reviews? What negative reviews?

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  13. Yeah, Yvette, but to say the reviewer "missed the actual point of the book" is asinine dribble. This is why I rarely do blog tours anymore and none for promotional companies. I felt pressured by some authors to say nice things about a book. When I didn't, vicious creatures would come out and play.

    If the reviewer missed the actual point of the book, the fault is with the author. Too bad there isn't more support from the promotional company. They should have nipped this.

    This tottarra, an obvious friend of the author, is doing more damage than good. I wouldn't touch the book just because of her comments.

    Holly, keep it real. It's the only way to be.

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  14. Hey J Kaye
    I made this comment such a long time ago and when this came up in my e mail I got such a shock.I was wondering when I had made that comment about the reviewer missing the whole point now I realise what's going on.Hope y'all are having an excellent weekend!

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