Dietland Discussion Questions

Plum confesses that when she thinks of her life “ back then”  she “ saw [ herself] as an outline…. Waiting to be filled in “(Page 5). What did she feel was lacking or missing in her life at that time? What does she believe will allow her to feel complete? Is she correct?

Why does the girl who follows Plum write the word “ Dietland” on Plum’s hand? What does Plum initially think this means? What does her response reveal about her character? Is she correct? What is Dietland?

What is Calliope House? Who runs it? Who lives there, and why do they live there? How did the house get its name? How does the history of the house tie in with the major themes of the novel? What purpose does the house ultimately seem to serve?

Why does Plum go underground at Calliope House? What does this entail? How does the experience ultimately affect Plum? Is she different after her reemergence? If so, how has she changed?

Why does Plum avoid using the word “fat” early in the novel (Pages 88 and 105)? Is it significant that she starts using it proudly later on (pages 196-7)? Why is reclaiming this word important in Plum’s transformation?

What kinds of confrontations does Plum face as she undergoes her transformation? Who initiates these confrontations, and what causes them? How does Plum handle each one? Are these confrontations surprising? Could they have been avoided? If so, how?

Comments

[Test]

This is only a test.

[jjones]

I think Plum feels socialization, confidence, and self-esteem is missing in her life. I also think she feels gastric bypass surgery and acquiring her desired job as a professional writer will make her feel complete.

I do feel Plum accomplishing her professional goal will make her feel complete; however, I do not think gastric bypass surgery will because she has unsuccessfully managed a diet program she has been apart of for many years. Losing weight will most likely not complete her because that will not bring about self-esteem if one lacks life coping skills.

[swatson]

I was quite disappointed in the language contained in this book, and, as a Spirit-filled Christian, was quite offended. It would be much appreciated in the future for the books that are recommended to be reviewed ahead of time, and a "reader beware" warning given in regard to the book.

[mcb]

Dietland was a much more complicated book than I anticipated. As I read it, my emotions spiked constantly. I was expecting the guilt/shame/fear that comes with being obese and extreme ways to overcome it and its stigma. What I didn't foresee was grappling with my emotions reading about issues such as the treatment of women in pornography, objectification of women's bodies, body positivity, rape, etc. It left me unsettled -- which I realize was the point. We need to get beyond our discomfort and address more openly these social issues.

[Tiffany]

I actually had a hard time getting into Dietland at first. The more I listened to it the more interesting it become to me. Plum was a girl who was not happy with herself. she did struggle with self image, personality, and she really did not have friends. I kinda felt sorry for her. I do see where Plum did struggle a lot towards the last few chapters of the book with her weight even more and her image, and trying to see if she could fit in at the home she was in towards the end to help her basically get on her feet about trying to loose weight. Plum towards the end got to where she just did not care how she talked, who she was mean too, or how she acted. i did like though that she did agree to do some good by writing the book and agreeing to do it b/c I feel she felt she finally could do something b/c someone needed and was depending on her. Really the only thing I did not like was how the book ended, I mean really....Burst...…. what kinda of last word is that for a book??? Other than that, I truly like this book.

[Kathryn]

I agree "mcb". Completely. I did think this was going to be about shaming obesity at first. Then I thought it was going in a different direction of celebrating your body, when in fact this was not at all the way it went. How women are born into a world of feeling like we will never be good enough no matter what size/shape we are. That we are sex objects. Yes, unsettling is the word.
I did like to book though.

[Suzanne]

I couldn't finish the book because I found the language objectionable. I did not expect LMC to authorize a book that repeatedly used as "f" word.