As the story of Belle Gibson continues to dominate dinner conversations — with many people uncovering the full saga for the first time, courtesy Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar — her now-recalled recipe book has quickly become a hot ticket item.
ICYMI, the show dropped on Netflix earlier this month as a “true-ish story based on a lie”, centering on Belle’s rise to fame after she claimed to beat terminal brain cancer by utilising natural treatments and a healthy, wholefood lifestyle.
She built a wellness empire based on the misleading cancer diagnosis, launching a hugely popular app The Whole Pantry and securing a book deal with Penguin for a physical cookbook of the same name.
NGL Kaitlyn Dever did an amazing job in the role. (Image source: IMDb)
However, shortly after she came clean about her fake diagnosis and her empire quickly came undone, the publisher also pulled the book from circulation.
“Despite our best endeavours, we have not received sufficient explanation from Ms Gibson, author of The Whole Pantry recipe book, in response to recent allegations,” Penguin told ABC News in 2015.
“As such, we have been left with no other option but to stop supplying the book in Australia.”
But while the book seemed to disappear into oblivion, if you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ll know its demand has seen a resurgence, with people scavenging for copies or even just a preview of Belle’s recipes.
A morbid fascination with a fall from grace? A misguided health kick? A compulsion to learn more about Australia’s own fraud story, like we’ve seen with Anna Delvey or Elizabeth Holmes? You decide.
One look at eBay reveals some pretty stunning prices people are willing to pay to acquire it, with rates ranging from anywhere between $37 to a staggering $760. No, we’re not kidding.
Now that’s a lot of money. (Image source: eBay)
In a video that has garnered over 400,000 views, podcaster and content creator Mitchell Coombs recently shared his fascination with Belle Gibson’s story, explaining he needed someone to talk some sense into him because he was “in a bidding war” for a copy of the book.
Meanwhile, comic and writer Hunter Smith shared his own hunt in a video, revealing he was finally able to find a copy in storage at the State Library Victoria.
However, he wasn’t allowed to take it out of the library “because it’s precious like the Constitution or the Magna Carta”, he joked.
Author Rosie Waterland has also waded into the discussion, sharing on Instagram last week that she’s got a signed copy, even as the book sells “for like $500 on eBay”.
“WELCOME FRIENDS I’VE HAD ONE FOR YEARS!” she wrote.
“My excellent friend Julie came across it in an op shop and didn’t even realise at the time she was giving me the best present I’ve ever received.”
She added it’s a “disturbing and fascinating book” and “truly the crown jewel of [her] ironic book collection”.
Quite a find. (Source: Instagram)
Meanwhile, those with copies of the book are seemingly doing their part to respond to requests for Belle’s recipes.
One TikTok user has even posted nearly a dozen videos browsing through The Whole Pantry and showcasing recipes.
So what’s the deal with this renewed popularity from the series? Is it an innate fascination with “trainwreck” stories — even if it’s one where she deceived millions and exploited the vulnerable? Is it maybe even one true crime documentary gone too far?
Apparently I’m not the only one asking these questions, because there are plenty of TikTok users sharing their own conflicted feelings.
“When I find them in op shops, I buy them and throw them out,” one person wrote.
“Why should we revive it? She did something awful,” another wrote.
One TikTok user admitted they were still curious to try the recipes amid the hype, adding “She won’t make any profit off it so it’s fine, right?”
Responding to a question regarding why anyone wants to secure a copy, one Reddit user explained it really boils down to good ol’ fashioned curiosity.
“I can only speak for myself, but I think it’s just a general curiosity. I found myself googling some of the recipes- not because I think it’s going to ‘fix me’ — but more so out of ‘were any of these meals actually good’,” they said.
As Apple Cider Vinegar continues to make waves, you can’t help but wonder how far this fascination will go. Either way, it seems the book’s ‘legacy’ is far from finished for the moment.
In case you wanted to peep the series, you can now binge-watch Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix.
Lead image: IMDb / TikTok
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