The Jemima J review that I promised to g

[coffeesnob318]

So...finished Jemima J last night. It was a really easy read. I kept telling myself at every chapter (and every hour) that I was going to put it down, but that was a lie. I knew I wasn't going to - had to find out what happened to the characters. Look at me, all growing an attention span!

I liked it. I probably would have liked it even better about 7-8 years ago - I would have related more to it then - but it hadn't been written yet. Fun book for anyone who has ever been overweight and lost it and experienced a peculiar emotional mixture of being both happy and appalled with all the attention that it brings. Or for people who are looking for inspiration (encouragement? Perhaps "inspiration" is a bit much) to do so.

What I liked most about it was the way she carried snippets of the happy/appalled theme throughout the book without overdoing it. I know that feeling so well, even though the happy part (deliriously ecstatic is more like it) usually won out. I mean, it's nice when people notice, especially those who see me every day, because they really have to be paying attention to notice such a gradual change. Compliments are always nice. But what's appalling is that people treat me differently when I'm thin (or made up, or dressed up, or whatever) than they do when I'm not. All I do is change the packaging - not the actual person I am - and, suddenly, I'm worthy of their time? I mean, I wasn't surprised to get that reaction from men; I expect them to be superficial (my apologies to the few men who actually read this. I'm sure you're one of the exceptions. I'm working on my bitterness. Promise). But why do women do that to each other?!?

Anyway...I liked it. Perhaps you will, too. It only took me about 4 hours total to read it, so there's not a big time commitment there.

Comments

[xica-s.livejournal.com]

yay! I love Jemima J! I first read it a couple of years ago, but every now and then I pick it up to read for a quick thrill. Jemima is my f-ing hero. She gives the chubbies like me a little hope. And on top of that, its just funny as all get out.

[coffeesnob.livejournal.com]

Yeah - I don't know how many times during the book I exclaimed out loud - "I've done that!"

[gradeafan.livejournal.com]

hmmm...so worthy of another late night when I really should be sleeping....good to know...

Thanks,
g

[mei-x.livejournal.com]

I've read Jemima J and I enjoyed it as well. I thought the subplot with the internet boyfriend and that revelation was a little weird though.

But yeah, it does explore how people's reactions change when someone loses weight -- it can start with encouragement, then shift to sabotage and resentment. Anyway, yeah, it's a good read!

[coffeesnob.livejournal.com]

That part was a little weird for me, too. It made me shudder.