A welcome addition to fat appreciation, the contributions in this book highlight fat as a substance that slides, sizzles, glistens, oozes, lubricates, stains, melts, coats, congeals, and splats. The examples are compelling, the analysis is rich and the writing is entertaining. Upon reading this book, I had an insatiable urge to sip some cleansing olive oil tea and eat a barbequed pork chop. * Don Kulick, University of Chicago, USA *
FAT: Culture and Materiality offers a compelling and insightful interdisciplinary exploration of the complexities, properties and potentialities of fat as a substance located both within and outside of bodies. The authors traverse a fascinating range of themes and, deftly reveal how the materiality of fat and oils interconnects with some of the most pressing issues of our time, from eating disorders, semiotic and religious qualities of oil, to the idea that fat can be productive and has 'biovalue'. It is a timely and unique contribution to related fields such as body studies, fat studies and critical weight studies. * Emma Rich, University of Bath, UK *
In examining the context of fat in culture, contributing authors present a multitude of fat concepts based on lived experiences; historical underpinnings; sociocultural significance; religious, biblical, and spiritual connections; political implications; societal standards; and health consequences. They explore the role of fat through a global and cultural lens, providing unique and fascinating dimensions that continue to influence human relationships with this shape-shifting substance through language, perceptions, and behavior. Editors Forth and Leitch have successfully brought together a variety of perspectives on how ideas of fat as a construct, lived experience, stigmatized identity, and health factor have influenced and continue to shape the manner in which people relate to each other and their environments. This innovative compilation of fat history, attitudes, and narratives will provide an excellent adjunct to upper-level disciplines with sociological, psychological, health science, gender, and cultural foci. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. -- R. James, Governors State University * CHOICE *
Fat: Culture and Materiality is a valuable volume for portraying a new way to think about a subject that, for most Americans, is only about 'obesity.' In keeping with the current state of the social sciences, it illustrates that we cannot think of fat-or any other substance or object-merely as an idea or symbol (to extend Beuys's point, substances and objects are not purely retinal or mental) but must attend to their felt (including tasted) qualities. To paraphrase (or overturn) Levi-Strauss, fat is not just good to think with but is also good or bad to experience-to have on and under your skin or on your tongue. -- David Eller * Anthropology Review Database *
