Such a Pretty Fat

One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, Or Why Pi e Is Not the Answer

By: Jen Lancaster

Narrated by: Jamie Heinlein

A NOTE FROM JEN LANCASTER:

"To whom the fat rolls...I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne drinks and cheesecake and explain to them that until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter. Unfortunately, being overweight isn't simply a societal issue that can be fixed with a dose healthy of positive self-esteem. It's a health matter, and here on the eve of my fortieth year, I've learned I have to make changes so I don't, you know, die. Because what good is finally being able to afford a pedicure if I lose a foot to adult onset diabetes?"

©2008 Jen Lancaster (P)2009 Penguin

Love, Love, Love

By far the best book I've read/ listened to in a long, long time. Author is witty and comically sarcastic.

funny but sometime a bit much

it took me a bit to get through this book because some of the hatred and white privilege was a but much a times...hilarious other times. There were times the author was blatantly racist and just really needed to find a little peace in her life. The anger can be a bit much
I was hoping it ended with a little heart...but her overly white republican privilege really showed...and no heart was to be found.

Everything I always wanted to say about fat

This was an extremely funny, yet edgy book nailing the feelings every woman has about the struggle of losing weight. As the reader, Ms. Lancaster's cutting, sarcastic, and ironic style is just what the book needs. I listened to it in the car, and occasionally had to pull over as tears of laughter were running down my face. It's a book I will definitely listen to again.

Love!

I loved this book. The narrator is fabulous, the book is funny, fast paced, and truthful. Great listen.

Always a fun time!

This is my third Jen Lancaster book and I'm still entertained! I thought it was great to hear about the struggles of weight loss (been there, down 30 pounds and hovering) and it was actually pretty inspiring. The only gripe I have about the narration, is the consistent mispronunciation of words: "Re:" is not pronounced "Ray". "Re:" is "in response to" or "in regard to", so should be pronounced "Ree". Also, she should check her pronunciation of "chorizo". The "i" is pronounced as "ee", not "eye" or "ih". I know this sounds really petty, but it was so odd considering what a perfectionist I thought Jen Lancaster was to have the narrator mispronounce these things.

An honest portrayal of dieting and weight loss

As someone who has been to the diet rodeo several times in the past few years, I relate so much to "Such a Pretty Fat". I've read it a few times but recently decided to listen to it because I've been struggling to continue losing weight and I thought it would give me the motivation to keep going. Happily, I was right. My experiences with WW meetings mirror Jen's and I laughed the hardest at the characters she encountered - people who are afraid of office birthday cakes are everywhere! This book is an honest look at the various diet programs out there (Jen tries Atkins, Jenny Craig, and WW) and the day-to-day struggle involved in losing weight.

Jamie Heinlein is a great narrator. She has Jen's snarky undertones down pat and I love that she doesn't try to put on a male voice for Fletch. Thanks to her, I enjoyed listening to this even more than I've enjoyed reading it in the past.

Not funny

I know she was trying to come off as sassy and funny, but she came across as just a self centered jerk.

Small bites help

Jen Lancaster is funny, pithy and deliciously wicked..in small bites. Her endless ranting becomes a bit grating if you listen to it like a piece of fiction. I tend to think of her as my neurotic friend that is occasionally so funny she makes me shoot latte out of my nose, but the rest of the time she whines and complains incessantly.

All three of her memoirs tend to read like a late night comedic monologue, and are best absorbed and enjoyed in three minute increments.

Chunky girl steps up.

I loved this book! I do want to warn you there is a considerable amount of cursing, but who hasn't cussed while trying to lose weight? Listening to Jen's journey encouraged me to step up and take responsibility for what I eat and my activity. I joined Weight Watchers cause I tried them once before and was successful. (Hey Jen did they pay you for plugging them?) As an author myself I appreciate Jen's style! I'm certain I'll be checking out more of her books.

A light listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book was a fun listen in the car. It wouldn't be my first pick but if you like lighter books this should fill your listening time.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked the funny stories about dieting. If you never had to diet you shouldn't listen to this story, you won't relate.

Did Jamie Heinlein do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The narrator did a good job.

Did Such a Pretty Fat inspire you to do anything?

I'd love to say that I jumped on the diet band wagon after listening this. But it got me thinking about it.