In the sweltering heat of the summer, an unexpected visitor appeared in the small town. She was known as the corpulent witch, a woman of ample proportions and mysterious powers. The arrival of the witch stirred up a frenzy of curiosity and gossip among the townsfolk. Rumors about the corpulent witch spread like wildfire. Some claimed she had the ability to turn people into frogs, while others believed she could summon storms with a flick of her wrist. Despite the fear and fascination she invoked, the witch seemed content to mind her own business and enjoy the warmth of the summer sun.
I thought the title was misleading because Thrash’s fatness is not a major part of the storyline. It’s more about a journey, friendship, and standing up to a parent who doesn’t seem to understand you. Maybe that’s the point, to have a fat character have a journey that’s not about being fat.
In their world, set in a different North America separated into Thirteen States , witches are given one of four Gifts such as Sight , or Glamour that they study after getting their knacks and then they proceed along a specific pathway. When Thrash unexpectedly breaks a mirror with her mind, she discovers she has a knack for magic and will receive one of the three sanctioned Gifts Glamour, Growth, or Sight.
Despite the fear and fascination she invoked, the witch seemed content to mind her own business and enjoy the warmth of the summer sun. As the days grew hotter, the townsfolk became increasingly intrigued by the witch's presence. They would often gather by her cottage to catch a glimpse of her and observe her peculiar habits.
Fat Witch Summer
The publisher’s blurb says that Fat Witch Summer by Lizzie Ives (pub. June 13, 2023) is “Dumplin’ meets The Craft” — I’ve not read The Craft, but I think they’ve oversold the comparison to Dumplin‘. It is YA, and the lead character is fat, so maybe that’s enough?
Teenage Theodora has chosen the name Thrash (for some unknown reason–I didn’t care for the name and didn’t think it fit her as a character) and she has just gotten her “knack”–her ability to do magic. In their world, set in a different North America separated into “Thirteen States”, witches are given one of four “Gifts” such as “Sight”, or “Glamour” that they study after getting their knacks and then they proceed along a specific pathway. Thrash is a loner after one of her moms passed away a year ago, but a clique of three popular girls befriends her in the library after she gets her knack. They have a plan to choose their own Gifts, but they have to go across the country to get them, and Thrash agrees to go along with because she’s not so sure she wants the Gift of Glamour that her mother plans to give her.
I liked the friendship, and that the assumed cliquey girls welcomed her into their group and didn’t make a big deal about Thrash being fat. But also, in some ways, the characters could have engaged with Thrash’s fatness a little more. It seemed like more of an internal journey for Thrash herself, to accept that her fatness was part of her. I liked that each of the girls had something going on–Em, the mermaid, needed accommodations for her legs and needed frequent baths, Saki had anxiety, Cresca, tall and beautiful, was black from a family that didn’t have magic, and Thrash was fat, dealing with the death of the parent she was closest to. They each were dealing with something and could step up for the others when needed.
I thought the title was misleading because Thrash’s fatness is not a major part of the storyline. It’s more about a journey, friendship, and standing up to a parent who doesn’t seem to understand you. Maybe that’s the point, to have a fat character have a journey that’s not about being fat.
I was intrigued by the world–the Thirteen States–and the similarities between it and our current world, and I would like to see more stories–perhaps one dealing with each of the friends. I did enjoy that there was little romance but the story was focused on the friendship between the girls and on Thrash’s relationship with her mother.
In some ways, I really liked how Thrash’s fatness was just part of the story–she was a teenager doing teenager things, and her fatness didn’t affect many of the major choices she made–the ones about her Gift, or deciding to go on the trip–so it was good to see a fat character just being a person who happens to be fat. So that is progress!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the friendship, and that the assumed cliquey girls welcomed her into their group and didn’t make a big deal about Thrash being fat. But also, in some ways, the characters could have engaged with Thrash’s fatness a little more. It seemed like more of an internal journey for Thrash herself, to accept that her fatness was part of her. I liked that each of the girls had something going on–Em, the mermaid, needed accommodations for her legs and needed frequent baths, Saki had anxiety, Cresca, tall and beautiful, was black from a family that didn’t have magic, and Thrash was fat, dealing with the death of the parent she was closest to. They each were dealing with something and could step up for the others when needed.
Whether it was tending to her garden or concocting potions, the corpulent witch was always busy with her mysterious activities. One summer evening, a young girl named Emily decided to approach the witch. She had been fascinated by the tales and wanted to know more about the woman behind the rumors. With trepidation, Emily walked up to the cottage and knocked on the door. To her surprise, the corpulent witch proved to be friendly and welcoming. She invited Emily inside and shared stories of her travels and adventures. The witch spoke about her love for nature and her desire to spread kindness and understanding in the world. She explained that her unique appearance was a result of her magical abilities and should not be a cause for judgment or fear. As the summer days turned into weeks, the corpulent witch became an integral part of the town's fabric. She used her magic to help those in need and spread joy wherever she went. People began to see beyond her physical appearance and appreciate the beautiful soul that resided within her. The corpulent witch's presence during that summer brought about a newfound understanding and acceptance among the townsfolk. They realized that appearances can be deceiving and that true beauty lies in one's actions and intentions. The lessons learned from the corpulent witch shaped the town's outlook for years to come. That summer, the corpulent witch taught people the importance of empathy, compassion, and embracing diversity. She showed them that everyone deserves a chance to be understood and accepted for who they are, despite any preconceived notions or rumors. The summer of the corpulent witch became a turning point for the small town, forever changing its perception of beauty and magic..
Reviews for "Summer Body Love: Embracing Beauty as a Corpulent Witch"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I must admit, I had high hopes for "Summer of the corpulent witch" after reading the intriguing synopsis. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and underdeveloped, leaving me confused and unsatisfied. The characters lacked depth and their actions were often inconsistent, making it hard to connect with or care about them. Overall, this book failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling let down.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Summer of the corpulent witch" was an absolute disaster. The writing style was convoluted and pretentious, making it a struggle to follow the storyline. The characters were unrelatable and unlikeable, and the supposed "unexpected twists" were more like pointless detours that added nothing to the overall plot. It was a waste of my time, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was excited to read "Summer of the corpulent witch" based on the intriguing title and cover. However, the story failed to captivate me. The pacing was slow, with uneventful scenes dragging on for far too long. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, lacking the authenticity that makes characters come to life. While there were some redeeming qualities in the book, such as the atmospheric setting, they were not enough to save it from feeling lackluster and forgettable.
4. Michael - 2.5/5 stars - For a book with such an intriguing premise, "Summer of the corpulent witch" didn't deliver as expected. The narrative lacked cohesiveness, making it difficult to fully immerse myself into the story. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. While there were moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the overall underwhelming execution of the plot. Unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.