Aussies paying big bucks to find Belle Gibson’s banned book

Australians are desperate to get their hands on a banned item after a popular television series brought the story back into the public eye.

Australians are desperate to get their hands on a banned item after a popular television series brought the story back into the public eye.

Belle Gibson rose to fame after claiming she cured her own brain cancer through healthy eating and positive thinking.

Her book, The Whole Pantry, was published in 2014, a year after her wellness app of the same name launched, and was filled with 100 “clean” living recipes.

But, when Gibson’s lies were exposed Penguin, the book’s publisher, immediately pulled it from circulation.

Despite the controversy about its contents, the recent release of the new Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, has seen demand for the unbuyable item soar.

Some Aussies are so desperate to get their hands on the book, it’s currently selling for more than five times its original $29.99 RRP on eBay.

One copy of the book on the popular emarket place is currently sitting at $142.50 with 28 people having placed a bid. Another had 17 bids, meaning it would sell for at least $107.50. While one was marked at $152.50 with 17 bids and one even had a “buy now” option of $250.

Its become such a hot ticket item, those who still have the book at home have been showing off its pages in viral videos on TikTok.

Meanwhile, others have expressed their desire to get a hold of some of the recipes. Radio presenter Mitchell Coombs was one such person, saying he was in a bidding war and needed someone to “talk sense” into him.

Belle Gibson appears on 60 Minutes to apologise for faking having brain cancer. Picture: Facebook / 60 Minutes

“Please post the soba noodle salad AND THE SEED BARS I NEED THE RECIPES LOL,” one social media user.

Another revealed: “Despite her lies I think the recipes are amazing. How do I get this book now?”

“I kinda want to see the recipes,” ones said.

One social media user commented: “I need to come look at this book haha.”

“Wait thank you for this I’ve been scouring the internet trying to figure out what she even had in the book,” another said.

One social media user asked: “Can you post the recipe with zucchini noodles and I think vege meatballs?”

“Keep bidding and then do us a solid and do a recipe everyday from it,” one commented.

Another added: “I borrowed one from the Library, just as the controversy was kicking off, and someone wrote inside the cookbook ‘This is a work of fiction’.”

The book is being auctioned on eBay. Picture: eBay

Although websites still have it listed, the book — which initially retailed for $30 — is unavailable to purchase.

At the time, Penguin said it had decided to pull the book from shelves after her cancer claims were proven to be false.

“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,” a spokesperson from Penguin told the ABC in 2015.

“As such, we have been left with no other option but to stop supplying the book in Australia.

“We remain hopeful that we will receive the formal assurances we have requested in the coming days.”

People are sharing they have the book. Picture: TikTok/@_deliahdarby

Consumer Affairs Victoria launched a civil case against Gibson in 2016 as a result, with Penguin even assisting in the investigation.

A judge found she had engaged in “misleading and deceptive” conduct. Initially, she was fined $30,000, and an additional fine of $410,000.

This was for things such as failing to donate the proceeds that she promised she had.

Gibson has never been to jail as a result of her lies.

However, since the release of Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, which is inspired by Gibson’s blatant deception about her health, people have been desperate to get their hands on it.

Originally published as Aussies paying big bucks to find Belle Gibson’s banned book