Fugly by Claire Waller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, just wow ...
This book really got to me, and while I usually am perfectly fine with writing a review right away, I just had to let things sink in for a while this time.

Part of me wanted to dislike Beth from the very start, but that would be acknowleding that I hate parts of myself. Just to make things clear, I am not an internet troll by any means. I am, however, in the fugly-camp, and have been in the depressed-camp, and due to my autism I'm often in the don't-fit-in-society-camp. I recognized the self-loathing, and I know that I can be harsher on others than I should be at times because of it.

The emotions displayed by Beth, the fear that when people seem to like you it is all fake or imagined, it all felt so real. And however much I hated what Beth did, I could do nothing but weep for her, for her pain, for how society, problems, bullying and self-loating made her who she was. Like it made me who I am at times when I really hate myself.

I am glad she grew and learned to open up to others a bit. It is scary, but it is good. I'm also glad that it didn't end with 'and now Beth is happy, and never scared or insecure anymore', because life does not work like that either.

Don't read this book if you are not up to serious issues taking place, having serious consequences and resulting in more serious issues. It is a difficult book to read, with a main character who is difficult to like at best. If you do feel up to it, it is absolutely worth reading though.

I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.