«“Under the Knife draws on a rich set of interviews to shed new light on the expectations for femininity that place women in a double bindbetween trying to enhance their appearance by having cosmetic surgery and facing the stigmatization of doing so. Kwan and Graves present a clear, interesting, and novel argument regarding consumers’ claims that their surgeries were not life changing; these women asserted that they have maintained ‘an authentic self.’ This book contributes to the study of boundary work and the sociology of culture and will resonate with a broad readership.”—Maxine Leeds Craig, Professor of Sociology, University of California, Davis, and author of Sorry I Don't Dance: Why Men Refuse to Move»

«“Under the Knife is a timely, accessible, and unique intersectional analysis of cosmetic surgeries. Kwan and Graves unravel the paradox that surrounds people’s desire to undergo cosmetic surgery in a society that overwhelmingly continues to stigmatize the practice. Kwan and Graves’ theorization of the ‘natural fake’ will become a key concept that sociocultural scholars who study bodies and embodiment will draw on for years to come. Under the Knife is a very strong and impressive book.”—Georgiann Davis, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and author of Contesting Intersex: The Dubious Diagnosis»