Title:
BIG & FABULOUS, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BRENDA CANKLES
Author: Randi Sherman
Publisher: Friesen Press
Pages: 282
Genre: Humor Fiction
The time for BIG & Fabulous, The Life and Times of
Brenda Cankles
is now! The emphasis is on positive body image, Big &
Fabulous is a truly entertaining story that’s strongly written, funny,
insightful and bitingly smart. Inside it’s covers, readers will find no
shortage of acidly hilarious accounts of the highs and lows of living life
inside a big and fabulous body.
Imperfect, impervious and improving Brenda Cankles is an
unlikely heroine. Unfazed by the enduring censure of society, she is determined
to realize the fabulous life that she has always believed is her destiny.
Brenda’s story – written in unflinching first person – is
utterly unvarnished. Here, find a fantastically real person, sometimes
struggling to fit in, but mostly giving the rest of the world the mother-lovin’
bird. From her clunky childhood, through her stumbling yet optimistic
adolescence to her full figured and unapologetic emergence into adulthood.
Brenda is a special brand of warrior. She is big, bold and beautiful. While the
quirky cast of characters who surround her is eternally insistent that Brenda
live her life in the background and fit into society’s mold, she will have none
of it.
I was more than happy to review this book not because of the cover (although the cover is kick-ass) but because of the message inside. Today's views of what pretty is - is pretty skewed. Things like the thigh and breast pen check ( which I think the boob/pen check just makes women of any smaller bust size feel inadequate which is completely unfair). Which, so what if your thighs though! Mine tough and it saves my phone from falling to the floor! I loved the message throughout this book. Yes, we need to work on being HEALTHY. And whatever size that is for you, great! I was a size 00 in junior high and constantly got teased and named called because of it. Having my daughter yeas later, I am now a size 9 and that is okay. This book is all about loving yourself, being comfortable in your skin all covered in humor. Which I loved. Brenda's story counters the judgement and critique that the world and ourselves gives each other for how we look, dress, etc. I really enjoyed Brenda's story and I think everyone else will too.
Watch the book trailer at YouTube.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Book Excerpt:
DEAR SOCIETY,
We have a big
job ahead of us. In elementary school, I will be "the fat kid" with a
wild imagination. In high school, I'll try to fit in but won't. I will be an
outcast, considered lumbering and awkward. No one, including my family, will expect
much from me because I won't be like the other girls. Being a big and a
bold and a brash girl, I will be the focus of
your attention as you advise me to stifle myself, adjust my enthusiasm, and be
grateful for any attention I receive.
To the
bullies and doubters, let me be the first to thank you in
advance for continually reminding me that I have the potential to end up as
someone's dusty spinster aunt who shares a can of bargain tuna with seventeen
cats, or that weird neighbor you see but try desperately to avoid.
Although it's
hard to believe, I will cherish our relationship because you, Society, will
never ignore me. I don't know what I will do or have done to garner so much of
your attention and devotion. I'm sure you have other and more important
things to do, like creating jobs, housing the homeless,
raising money to cure cancer, and feeding the
hungry. But, no, you will dedicate television shows and magazine articles to
me, and spend your valuable time and energy comparing what it is
that you consider "perfect" to my reality and encourage me to change
into someone "typical." I know it will be exhausting for
you.
I have to
admit that there will be times when my self-esteem will be tested. Other
times, I'll be a non-believer, and want to give up, possibly disappointing you.
Because of
your often obsessive yet unwavering attention and dedication to making me aware
of my shortcomings or, worse, your condescending and hollow and self-serving
attempts to encourage me to accept my "inadequacies" and situation -
you will present me with a challenge. It will take all of my strength and
determination, but I will dig deep within myself to realize I have the
potential to be fabulous.
Like fine
wine, opera, and stinky cheese, I am valuable, an acquired taste, and, like all
treasures, I should be appreciated and celebrated.
Like it or
not, whether you intend it or not, I just might turn out to be a wise,
compassionate, creative, funny, generous, and a kind person. You see, I have
the ability to learn and grow.
Yes, I am big
and I am bold, and I accept your challenge. Be forewarned. I will be a force to
be reckoned with because I am special. I am beautiful and I am
a superhero. Now, get the fuck off my cape. I have things to do.
Sincerely,
Brenda
Merle Cankles, "The Big One"
About the Author
Randi M Sherman is the award winning author of humorous
fiction books.
With an eye for detail, an ear for well-tuned dialogue and
an incredible grasp of the obvious, all honed while performing stand-up comedy
in Los Angeles and improvisational
theater in San Francisco, Sherman
adds just enough bawdiness to deliver character-driven contemporary novels that
will have the reader laughing, thinking and connecting with the characters in
her books.
Author, Randi Sherman’s experience as a stand-up comedienne
is evident as she delivers, BIG & Fabulous, The Life and Times of Brenda
Cankles, the hilarious, often laugh-out-loud novel about the inner most thoughts
Brenda Cankles, a very real character who is confident and brave enough to
expect the world to accept her on her terms.
BIG & Fabulous, The Life and Times of Brenda Cankles is Sherman’s
fifth novel, her fourth THE LOBBY has won 17 Awards for Humor and General
Fiction.
A native Californian, Randi makes her home in California's
wine country. Trying her hand at country living Randi describes herself the Eva
Gabor of the Sonoma/Napa area.
Randi earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Chapman
University.
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