My Perfectly Imperfect Body

My Perfectly Imperfect Body by Debbie Tung is an unflinching exploration of body image, self-doubt and resilience. In her most honest and vulnerable graphic memoir yet, Tung delves into the damaging societal pressures of the early 2000s, revealing how well-meaning comments and impossible beauty standards can distort a young girl’s perception of her body. Through heartfelt honesty and poignant drawings, Tung bravely recounts her teenage years through disordered eating and self-criticism, and invites readers to not only see their own struggles but also to recognize the broader cultural forces at play. The most comforting message of the story is that you weren’t the only one who experienced this. It wasn’t you—it was the media trying to sell you an unrealistic ideal. And maybe even your mother, but she was brainwashed too. This graphic memoir sheds light on how societal expectations shaped an entire generation’s relationship with their bodies. While it doesn’t shy away from a triggering topic, it shines as a story of healing and hope, and tells you to be compassionate with yourself. My Perfectly Imperfect Body is a powerful reminder that self-love is hard-fought but worth the battle.” (Marloes De Vries, artist and author of Having Children Is Optional)With beautiful and sensitive watercolor illustrations, this book is a truly brutally honest look at how it feels to want to be perceived as perfect by your family, your peers… and even yourself. (Victoria Ying, Harvey Award-winning author of Hungry Ghost)Debbie Tung’s My Perfectly Imperfect Body perfectly captures the anxiety and shame that so many people (especially women) experience over their bodies and sizes. The desire to be different is an isolating feeling, but this book will help readers feel less alone, more understood, and closer to Debbie for sharing her story. (Siobhán Gallagher, author of Full of Myself)

Debbie Tung is a cartoonist and illustrator. She draws about everyday life and her love for books and tea. Debbie is the author of Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, which was listed as a recommended read in O, The Oprah Magazine. She is also the author of Book Love, Happily Ever After, and Everything Is OK, both of which were finalists in the Goodreads Choice Awards. Her comics have been shared widely by Huffington Post, 9GAG, Bored Panda, and Goodreads, among others. She lives in Birmingham, England, with her husband and son.