Rating: 
Summary: LOVED this book!
Review: I read this book in 2 days - could not put it down. Although I agree with the critiques that the Los Angeles reader posted (some character threads were unfinished - what DID happen to Dennis?), mostly, I was riveted. I also thought that her writing style was sometimes a little self-consciously "stylized", and didn't flow naturally. I also would have liked to know more about exactly how she lost the weight, and more about her "working the Steps" re: her overeating (she never once mentioned the name "Overeaters Anonymous", she just referred to 12 Step). She only discussed that whole process once, when she mentioned a 4th Step inventory. But these are minor quibbles, overall.Ms. Kuffel tells her story with wit and heartbreaking honesty. I am not obese, but I am currently trying to lose about 20 lbs. via Weight Watchers, and I related to much of what she said. I was fascinated by her descriptions of what life FEELS like as an obese person, and liked her use of "the planet of fat" and "the planet of girls" to describe the difference. She had NEVER been thin in her life, and so had no frame of reference to go on once she lost the weight. It was a totally alien and new feeling to be thin, and she describes this phenomenon beautifully. The stuff about her romantic breakup got a little maudlin, however. If you've ever read "Jemima J" by Jane Green, this book often reads like a nonfiction version of that book - kind of soap opera-like. However, anyone who's ever struggle to lose any amount of weight will find this compelling reading.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining read, not a how-to book
Review: Kuffel's self proclaimed goals are to be thin, love someone who loves her back, and publish a book with her name on it. This book is the story of her accomplishment of the first two goals (the book itself is obviously the third). Kuffel is not writing about the physical mechanics of becoming thin; she is interested in discussing the emotional and spiritual journey that she took during and after her weight loss. Her food and weight problems are so extreme that I don't think her system would be necessary or helpful for most dieters anyway.
That said, I really enjoyed her descriptions of the various stages of her weight loss. The problems were actually more interesting than the triumphs. It is easy to predict that someone would be ecstatic to wear a size 18 for the first time in her life; incontinence due to thigh shrinkage is a problem that I would never have imagined.
All in all, an enjoyable read about someone who overcame adversity in the pursuit of her goals.
Rating: 
Summary: You will laugh. You will cry. And then laugh again.
Review: It's a rare book that can hold my attention all night long, but this one did. I *wanted* to know what happened next, what did she do, what did they say. And the writing is sooooooo good! Frances Kuffel knows how to put words together. I was sorry, almost, to reach the end. Now, when will we see a collection of her other work, the stuff that's been published over the years in the "little" magazines?
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING
Review: What a story!!! It seems all the successful weight loss stories of late are because of serious surgery.....not this gal. Frances Kuffel manages to write not only about obesity, but religion, adoption, siblings, parents, friends, nature, books.....you name it...and all in an entertaing way. I read a lot....really, a lot and this is by far one of the best books I have ever read. Having fought the weight battle most of my life I recognized myself every step of the way. I thought it was fitting that Dr. Pamela Peeke gave a backcover blurb....she of Fight Fat Over Forty. Overeating can be addiction and, as Frances says in her book, one that is very obvious. I was just stunned at her insight, toughness, and humanity. Buy it, now.
Rating:
Summary: Hits Home
Review: This book hits home to anyone that has an eating/weight problem. Her struggle with weight/weight loss/keeping weight off will hit home with many readers. After living years with an imagine of yourself - do you ever think of yourself any other way? I think she explores that issue. This book is NOT about the method used to lose weight but ONE persons journey in finding herself. In some ways it was like reading someone's journal.
To Francis Kuffel: Great first book - congrats on hitting that goal too.
Rating: 
Summary: Good read but something was missing
Review: This book was a very good read. However, I thought the author was a bit too flowery in most of the writing. Although I realize this is a "memoir", I would have appreciated a more straight forward tone. At times, I felt as though I was reading part memoir/part poetry and it took away from the core of the story. Also, I realize that OA has anonymity traditions (which I respect), but where are Frances' views, comments, struggles with the 12 steps????? I believe that the look at her spiritual aspect re: OA was sorely lacking. A few casual comments were dropped, but when you read this book you get more of a feeling that OA is about the weight than the Steps. I did, however, greatly appreciated the author's very candid look at herself and her life.
Rating:
Summary: What a Wonderful Read
Review: I really loved this book. After skimming some reviews, I thought I wouldn't like it, because a reviewer or two made the author sound too crusty or selfish, but when you read this book, and read between the lines, you realize what a beautiful person this author is deep inside. Yes, we do develop crusty exteriors sometimes, but it's just a defense mechanism. Particularly when one has been obese almost her whole life, antennas are raised for self-protection. Yeah, I really loved this book and will pick it up and read it again. Frances, please do a second book, a continuation of where you left off. I can't tell you how heart-rendering this book is. Oh, and the writing is spectacular. The author has a true gift for words. Highly recommended to anyone (like me) suffering from excess weight. This woman KNOWS what it's all about.
Rating:
Summary: There's always hope
Review: I liked this book. From someone who's struggled with being overweight for years and years, Kuffel's story of living in some sort of fat-induced oblivion had relevance for me.
It is paralyzing to be so obsessed with food - whether it be the next meal or the having plentiful snacks on hand as a substitute for having a satisfying outside life.
She details going through years hidden inside herself, hidden behind the layers of fat that made her surpass the 300-pound mark. She writes about her habits as a child, sneaking and hoarding foods to eat, hiding them under the bed, cleaning the dishes by eating the leftovers off everyone's plates, and so on.
She writes of humiliating and sad things - being denied a chance to ride at Coney Island because of her girth, watching her friends date and pair up, making herself immune to people's tendencies to ignore her uncomfortably as if she weren't there or the way they stare in shock.
Then one day she wakes up and goes to a meeting for overeaters, and she gets sucked in. It strikes a chord with her, and she gets a sponsor. Soon she is measuring and monitoring what she eats - now mostly veggies - no more cookies, ice cream, and the like. And the weight falls off. She ends up losing more than half her weight.
That's maybe the first third to half of the book
She goes into some detail on that, but much of the book is this new woman she becomes, after she loses half herself. She describes her family's reaction to her (mostly modest pleasure, but no real support at first), her relationships with other women in her support group, illnesses, falling off the wagon, and troubles with dating and heartache.
After 40-some years hidden in fat, she emerges a newer, thinner woman, and is starting life anew. Dating, shopping, being a 'Girl.' Kuffel has a knack for writing and observation, and the book is a fast and interesting read.
I felt for her struggles and it should be familiar territory for anyone who has struggled to lose weight, especially a lot of weight. It may offer insights for thinner people who don't understand what it's like to be overweight.
Some people have commented on how she tends to show very little sympathy for other people who are overweight (but that's common for people who have lost a lot of weight - they get that attitude - 'Come on now! Cut calories and move more! You can do it! Show some discipline!'). It's nothing new, and perhaps it's a form of guilt or self-resentment that they didn't do it earlier.
But it's a good story of how one woman took control and took back her life. She lost the first 40 years to obesity, and maybe alienated herself from a lot of things - full enjoyment of her youth, dating, having children - but it shows that it's never too late to try, and overall it's a strong message of hope, to never give up.
I hope she sticks with her success, and I hope she grows to love herself more and more as she goes on, as in the book, it's clear she's still learning how to accept herself. It's a powerful message to take control of your life and not get consumed by what you're consuming.
Rating: 
Summary: Only Part of the Story
Review: I was excited to read Kuffel's book, as I've been overweight since twelve years of age. I'm now 23 and have been steadily losing pounds for over a month now. While I appreciate Kuffel's attempt to provide a memoir of food addiction and regaining a healthy body, it seems as though too much of the "hard work" was just glossed over. In several early chapters the reader is treated to a play-by-play look at Kuffel's food addiction as a young child, but no mention is made of how her weight affected her teenage life or how she struggled with food during her 20s and 30s. I was equally surprised to read about her sudden decision to "abstain from flour and sugar" after only going to one or two weight management meetings. What I find most disturbing (and disheartening) is the way in which Kuffel makes losing weight look so easy. It is not an easy thing, by any means. In fact, it's a struggle for the majority of those who attempt it. Only several paragraphs are devoted to Kuffel's mid-stage weight loss and for a self-described "food addict" no mention is made of her battles to control her cravings. While I realize that not all people who lose weight do it in the same way, I found it disappointing that the book leapt from her weight of 338 pounds to 176 rather fast. What happened during that period would have probably been the most profound part of the book; however, it was left out. And as any substantially overweight person knows, the first thirty or forty pounds are often the toughest to lose. Kuffel's decision to gloss over that stage provides readers with the sentiment that the weight came off quite easily and she never battled food addiction or cravings again. To many, that is not the reality. I was also somewhat saddened that Kuffel constantly referred to herself as being on "planet fat" before her weight loss and then on "planet girl" after she lost weight. Are fat females not of the human race? It's as though she is implying that she wasn't a real person until she lost weight. Sadly, it seemed to me that she placed too much emphasis on morphing from "fat" to "human." I was disappointed and expected more.
Rating:
Summary: Reads like buttah
Review: Frances Kuffel has written a book about the travails of her monumental weight loss in a manner and style that makes it appealing to ANYONE. As someone who has never had weight issues, I was riveted by Frances' story. It is a human story. It is a funny story. It has all the bumps and boils and wrong turns of real life. This is not a Hollywood story starring Gwyneth in a "fat suit.". This is something Sofia Coppola would be lucky to get her hands on. In summary, Passing for Thin is a straight-shooting, funny, sometimes heartbreaking memoir that will be enjoyed by anyone who can handle wry, self-deprecating, honest, unapologetic prose that often approaches poetry. I enjoyed every word. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. She is a talent that has yet to truly reap the rewards of her honest-to-goodness gift.
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