The Woman Who Fooled the World

By: Beau Donelly, Nick Toscano

Narrated by: James Saunders

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

Good story

The story was too long but it gave a good timeline of events. Would listen to again.

Must listen

Absolutely essential listening for anyone who has been immersed in food or nutrition culture - tells a captivating story while digging in to the wellness industry and the forces behind it

interesting tale of a shocking story

got a little long in parts but I am fascinated by these charlatans. very sad for those she conned.

Best narrator I’ve listened to in a long time

When I get almost through a whole audiobook and realize I haven’t been aware of the narrator because I was so absorbed in the story, I knew how good he was.

Excellent

Very well written and narrated story about social media fake health personality gone horribly wrong. Her lies harmed and mocked those who actually had life-threatening cancer.

Stunning

Thought provoking and mind boggling. In this age of “alternative facts” it’s fascinating, if unsurprising, to see the deadly ripple effect of one woman’s self delusion followed to it’s inevitable crash and burn conclusion. Science deniers take note: your willful ignorance has real world tragic consequences.

Through and entertaining

This deep dive into Belle's life (especially hearing about her family) provides, not pity exactly but some understanding of her as a real, yet deeply flawed person.

Can you hate a story and love it too?

Wow she could have left it at brain cancer recovery story and probably gotten away with it but she kept pushing it like an idiot. Why would you think anyone would believe you had all that cancer everywhere and still walking around. partying like nothings wrong. She wanted people to be shocked by her diagnosis and in turn donate even more. Wow how can someone be so dumb though. I cant. lol

Love the contextual content and critique of wellness influencers

Well researched and well written. Does an excellent job of situating Gibson’s con within the larger context of online wellness influencers as well as other cancer cure scams.

doesn't bother me!

I'm always amazed at how so many ppl fall for the dumbest things. she asked for money, wrote book and sold an app and without any fact checking, ppl gave it to her, sympathized and coddled her. then was "so shocked" when the truth came out...lol bunch of idiots... including apple and that publishing Co.