Dietland

Tara Sands's versatile performance captures the powerful message and feminist themes of this compelling story. Plum is fighting her weight to become Alicia--her thin, beautiful alter ego. In order to earn the money for the plastic surgery she needs, she joins the Baptiste Plan and finds herself in the midst of a different kind of war--an undercover feminist movement. Sands's range and command of voices dramatically capture the diverse characteristics of macho misogynists, fierce feminists, bubbleheaded porn stars, and horny frat boys. Additionally, Sands's deft control of pacing and volume conveys an air of ironic nonchalance that accentuates the story's shocking actions against women as well as the satire of this entertaining story. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine


Tara Sands's versatile performance captures the powerful message and feminist themes of this compelling story. Plum is fighting her weight to become Alicia--her thin, beautiful alter ego. In order to earn the money for the plastic surgery she needs, she joins the Baptiste Plan and finds herself in the midst of a different kind of war--an undercover feminist movement. Sands's range and command of voices dramatically capture the diverse characteristics of macho misogynists, fierce feminists, bubbleheaded porn stars, and horny frat boys. Additionally, Sands's deft control of pacing and volume conveys an air of ironic nonchalance that accentuates the story's shocking actions against women as well as the satire of this entertaining story. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

July 1, 2015

Plum Kettle has always been a fat girl. Ridiculed for her size throughout her life, she is determined to go through with weight-loss surgery after an endless stream of diets fail her miserably. Plum works from a cafe, ironically writing life advice for a girls' magazine, despite barely living a life of her own. Enter a mysterious women in combat boots who follows her around the city, eventually leaving her a book that sends her down a pathway that will change her life forever. Not a diet book but an anthem for all who have ever felt the slightest inkling that their body is not good enough, this novel will hit home with most listeners. Tara Sands invigorates this audiobook with such finesse that it's easy to get lost in her performance. She ably conveys moments when characters are wry, sarcastic, mournful, and dramatic, among a wealth of other emotions. VERDICT Put this in the hands of all feminists, no matter their shape and size. ["An edgy and exciting mix of mystery, crime, and social critique of gender and beauty standards at breakneck speed": LJ 4/15/15 starred review of the Houghton Harcourt hc.]--Stephanie Charlefour, Wixom P.L., MI

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