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The Fat Ladies Club: The Indispensable 'Real World' Guide to Pregnancy
 
 

The Fat Ladies Club: The Indispensable 'Real World' Guide to Pregnancy [Kindle Edition]

Hilary Gardener , Andrea Bettridge , Sarah Groves , Annette Jones , Lyndsey Lawrence
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £8.99
Kindle Price: £6.99 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Paperback £6.39  


Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

The five authors of this alternative guide to pregnancy met at ante-natal classes and became friends. Instead of a text-book analysis of what happens during all the stages of pregnancy, this offers a down-to-earth experience from five women's perspectives. The honesty, notably in the chapter on sex, is endearing. The chatty, warm, style is undeniably readable, and bearing in mind how much information overload pregnant women have to handle, this certainly isn't a taxing read. It's a reassuring one.

The amateurish tone and the fact that these are clearly not professional writers is oddly the biggest plus point--and paradoxically the biggest weakness. Cynics will point to the overuse of certain words (namely "well"), the contrived jokes and liberal clichés. This, however, is not the fault of the five intelligent women who consist of a community learning disability nurse, a European Business studies graduate, a research scientist, a police officer and an accountant. While the style and approach would have been ideal for a Web site, many readers will be put off by the unnecessary suburban style (not to mention illustrations). Skilful editing and rewriting on the part of the publishers would have elevated their experiences from what amounts to an extended mass magazine feature, and done them the justice their honesty deserves. --Lorna V

Review

This is one of the best books about pregnancy you are ever likely to read. Forget the factual stuff on the development of the foetus and listen in on some 'no holds barred' girlie chats. The five friends who met at antenatal classes and decided to write a book about their experiences are a very mixed bunch. Hilary is a learning disability nurse, Sarah has a job in marketing, Lyndsey a doctorate in chemistry, Andrea is a plain-clothes officer and Annette an accountant. None went to the classes purely for instruction; they were looking for friends and ideas on 'fatty fashion'. All of them ended up totally fascinated by the midwife's blatant display of her knickers. Out of class, the five discuss the size of their breasts and Sarah discovers that putting cabbage leaves in her bra soothes the skin, although it's rather smelly. They compare weight and stretch marks, reveal their attempts to keep fit and unknown to their husbands even discuss their sex lives. Despite their classes, Labour Day when it comes is acknowledged to be 'the best kept secret of womanhood'. The friends take a wide range of hours to give birth and pronounce the stitches afterwards much the worst experience. They compare notes on all those aggravating but rarely discussed postnatal happenings 'below the belt' - bladder problems, flatulence and dealing with nappy contents. Back home, they discuss their feelings about actually owning a baby, relating some of their fears and explaining how they overcame them. Andrea proudly took her baby for its first outing in the pram and nearly roasted the poor thing alive in the hot sunshine. Lyndsey admitted to continuously gazing in disbelief at her little bundle and wondering how they were all going to survive. The book brings over with real laugh-out-loud moments and will supply endless entertainment and reassurance to all pregnant women. (Kirkus UK)

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 893 KB
  • Print Length: 228 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0141017015
  • Publisher: Penguin (6 Nov 2003)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B002RI95HW
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #41,104 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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More About the Author

Hilary Gardener
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a bit misleading because when you pick it up, you think it's a fictional work. It's actually a warts and all account of what pregnancy and giving birth are like for 5 different women. It covers topics that will interest all first time mums to be, including: what does pregnancy do to your boobs, your tummy and your sex life, and what does it really feel like to go through labour?

It's frank and doesn't mince words; sqeamish readers may wince when they come across such gems as "will I poo myself when the baby comes out?", but, let's be completely honest here - isn't that something you really need to know?!?

The five women narrators are "everywomen" and come across as articulate, accomplished and pleasantly normal. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, there is a sad ending that comes out of the blue and makes the book seem much more poignant than it otherwise would have done.

Overall, an interesting, light and informative read on the subject of pregnancy.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read this book (twice actually) during my pregnancy and used it to keep referring back to points that were pertinent to me at the time!! I found the book to be honest and humourous at the same time and it was refreshing to know that the huge weight gain and stretch marks were all completely normal. I would recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant or even if you've already had children as it's easy to identify with the real stories told by the brilliant authors!!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
the fat ladies club 9 Jan 2004
Format:Paperback
This book is a must have for people facing a first pregancy , I laughed so much it is so real makes you understand that you are not alone and that every pregnancy is different. What the text books dont tell you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Poor Offering
Horrid book! The women came across as the sort of person I'd avoid like the plague. Fake, bitchy, complaining, pushy and just plain nasty.

Yuk. Read more
Published on 18 July 2009 by Tearose33
Really enjoyed it!
Although I have not had a baby and I'm not planning on it in the near future (I'm only 20), I found it really funny. It was such an enjoyable read. Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by C. Rucroft
The best book you will read
I got this book when i was having my first baby, i was so nice to read a down to earth normal book (not that many out there about pregnancy) trust me i read every book going. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2008 by Ms. R. Hall
It made me laugh and it made me cry.
At first I thought 'I have nothing in common with these people, they're on a different planet to me' but reading on I realised that I did have something in common, something very... Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2006 by Caroline Jones
So Good I Read It More Than Once!
I first read this book six years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby! At times I laughed so much I had to throw the book out of the bed as I feared going into labour early! Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2006 by S Hoben
Makes you feel like you are not a failure!
Read this book during my 1st pregnancy and laughed out loud many times. The best bits are when they make mistakes because as a new mum you are so scared about doing it all wrong... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2006 by Jo Paine
disappointing
As I am pregnant for the first time, I looked forward to the chance to read about different peoples' experiences, and I thought this book sounded ideal. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2006
Informative but sneery
I am 14.5 weeks pregnant and this has been a useful read, particularly the stuff around birth and coping in the first few days after the child has been born. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2006 by Anna
A fab read pregnant or not!!!
I bought this book months ago and it has been sat on my bookshelf ever since. Having nothing to read a few days ago I picked this up and started to read and wow I so love this book... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2005 by "kellydickinson1"
Too True
What a great way to learn about the not-too-nice aspects of your pregnancy and inevitable birth!! I found this book to be both informative and funny. Read more
Published on 5 July 2004 by Jennifer
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