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The Woman Who Fooled the World cover art

The Woman Who Fooled the World

By: Beau Donelly, Nick Toscano
Narrated by: James Saunders
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Summary

Belle Gibson convinced the world she had healed herself from terminal brain cancer with a healthy diet. She built a global business based upon her claims. There was just one problem: she'd never had cancer.

In 2015, journalists uncovered the truth: this hero of the wellness world, with over 200,000 followers, international book deals and a best-selling smartphone app, was a fraud. She had lied about having cancer - to her family and friends, to her business partners and publishers, and to the hundreds of thousands of people, including genuine cancer survivors, who were inspired by her Instagram posts.

Written by the same multiaward-winning journalists who uncovered the details of Gibson's lies, The Woman Who Fooled the World tracks the 23-year-old's rise to fame and fall from grace. Told through interviews with the people who know her best, it unravels the mystery and motivation behind this deception and follows the public reaction to a scandal that made headlines around the world.

The Woman Who Fooled the World explores the lure of alternative cancer treatments, the cottage industry flourishing behind the wellness and 'clean eating' movements and the power of social media. It documents the devastating impact this con had on Gibson's fans and on people suffering from cancer. Ultimately, it answers not just how but why Gibson was able to fool so many.

©2017 Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

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What listeners say about The Woman Who Fooled the World

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning analysis of a growing global threat to health

Probably the best, most forensic dissection of a flawed person and how media manipulation grew her into a major health force despite knowing that she peddled lies.
As this phenomenon grows globally we must listen to the cautions so clearly described in the book.

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6 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Difficult

I purchased this audio book as I am interested in true crime and the nature of this woman's fraud was terrible. Her life story and crime were well reported and the narrator has a pleasant voice. however, frequently the book dives off about cancer and prognosis. Many other cancer cases were discussed and several chapters given over to brain cancer prognosis which isn't what this book was supposed to be about.

It is made clear that to turn away from medicine is never a good idea, that brain cancer is very difficult to treat, that brain cancer doesn't spread to other organs etc and this is fine within the context of the book, but whole chapters on different unlinked people just to prove how difficult it is to live with cancer and to give a comparison was over the top. I cringed imagining sufferers listening to this terrible doom and gloom taking any hope away from them. Unnecessary and OTT. I wanted to read about this woman's crime and punishment, it goes without saying that cancer isn't a walk in the park. Avoid.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Good but lacking nuance

Enjoyable listen for sure, an incredibly shocking account and seemingly well researched.

It doesn’t approach from an objective angle, and clearly aims to criticise, therefore it misses an opportunity to investigate why Belle Gibson is the way she is. As Belle doesn’t have cancer, it seems plain she certainly does have something wrong with her and it would have been interesting to hear more about that and considerations for why/how someone could do such a thing.

It was also quite irrelevant, bordering on dishonourable to open the book and make repeated reference without any empathy to Ainscough - who did have cancer, and who made the choice to try a natural approach, which ultimately failed her. It doesn’t seem fair or respectful to lump her in with Gibson or infer a comparison.

It would have been good if they’d been able to find someone’s family who’d taken Belle’s specific advice and then lost their battle but it seems they weren’t able to find that, so they bulk it out a bit with examples of fraudulent doctors etc. and general harrowing stories of cancer.

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3 people found this helpful

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very interesting

well narrated story of belle gibson. so bizarre that someone could go to such lengths for attention. I think there needs an updated book now

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1 person found this helpful

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Too slow

Way too much irrelevant detail. Lost interest after 2 hours of listening, not captivating so turned off.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration was very good

Liked the the story, bit of an eye opener for me!well researched. Bit different from what I normally listen to, but enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb.

so interesting, not just about Belle. It's a fantastic read and I will listen to this all over again for the content.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good read/listen

I listened to this in a few daysz I found it really interesting. I didn’t find it repetitive - there are parts where he’s giving you background on brain cancer etc but I found those interesting too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent and recommended

A great but disturbing listen. Yet again, truth proves to be stranger than fiction.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

Belle Gibson is a scammer and she should be thrown in jail. This book is excellent and tells the warts and all story of belle Gibson who lied and cheated about having cancer and how she was beating it by diet/other alternative methods. I’ve no sympathy for her poor me’s and the big companies who she sucked in - no due diligence was done which may have stopped her. I do have the upmost sympathy for those she damaged both mentally and physically. She’s a greedy narcissistic predator who preyed on the Ill and those who were looking for a miracle.

The book itself was well read and written

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