A dazzling novel about a girl who isn’t afraid to be big and sexy and dance her heart out, and a discussion-provoking exploration of the mixed messages our society gives young women about their bodies and sexuality.
Addie is a talented dancer, a true-blue friend, fat, fierce, and driven. When she’s accepted into the prestigious dance program of her dreams, she thinks nothing can bring her down―until she realizes she doesn’t have enough money to go. Refusing to give up, Addie and her friends decide to put on a top-secret, invitation-only burlesque show to raise funds. But word soon gets out, and the slut– and body-shaming begin. Has Addie been resisting the patriarchy, or playing right into its hands?
Fans of Julie Murphy’s Dumplin will enjoy this novel of body-positivity and theatrics. Sexuality and objectification are tricky topics and Larsen weaves a nuanced tale of Addie’s journey to accepting her body.
I love Addie’s drive, not only in dance but in her body. She knows her size doesn’t limit her abilities and pushes back those who try to fit her in a box. However, for all her confidence, Larsen depicts how those comments do affect her self-perception and why burlesque is so freeing to her. I enjoyed seeing the inclusivity and bits of history that showcase what is viewed as desirable by society changes. In the 20s, curves and Rubenesque is in, then the heroin thin craze and now it’s all about the big butts. Moreoever, it’s more inspiring how Addie decides to give others this appreciation for themselves by starting the fundraiser.
Larsen’s story is very clear about the intersections of objetification and censorship. How body positivity can be co-opted by the male gaze, and gives Addie something else to fight for with the dress code bans.
Addie is a clear leader, blooming into someone beyond a chorus dancer, and embracing all her talent and not just the uniformity dancing demands of her. Addie’s friends have less to do, feeling like supportive BFFs that you’d love to have with hints of their own body insecurities that aren’t delved in depth. Which is a shame because girls talk about this all the time amongst their friends.
Addie and Jack’s romance was fine. It was there. Often in YA there is a romance while the battle deals with her coming of age story, and I get the point Larsen is trying to make that there will be someone who will love you, body and all, but it felt like an unimportant side story with everything else going on.
4 stars
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