Fat Bald Jeff: A Novel

by Leslie Stella

Addie Prewitt is a copy editor for the National Association of Libraries. When her boss, the repulsive Coddles, heaps another new project on her department -- with no additional remuneration naturally -- she decides she's had enough. She spends her days battling with her roommate, Val Wayne Newton, about whether Black Sabbath or Neil Diamond will occupy the turntable and her nights beating her overeager suitor, Martin Lemming, away from the door of her boudoir. When she discovers a piece of vile pornography in Coddles's dry cleaning, she has the means to retaliate. Meanwhile, Fat Bald Jeff, the tech-support guy who has to cope with her mechanical self-sabotage, turns out to be even more disaffected than she, and they hatch the ultimate plan to give the pigs some of their own medicine. With a surreal wit and a keen eye that bring to mind Lily Tomlin set loose in Dilbert-world, Fat Bald Jeff is a sharp satire and a paean to the petty humiliations of workers everywhere.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

LESLIE STELLA is the author of the YA novel, Permanent Record (March 2013, Skyscape), and three previous novels of contemporary adult fiction, Unimaginable Zero Summer, The Easy Hour, and Fat Bald Jeff. She was a founding editor of the Chicago-based politics and satire magazine Lumpen, and her work has been published in The Mississippi Review, The Adirondack Review, Bust, Easy Listener, and anthologized in The Book of Zines: Readings from the Fringe (edited by Playboy’s Chip Rowe), a collection of essays and articles from the obsessive, frequently bizarre world of zines. Leslie is a Pushcart Prize in short fiction nominee.

(I won't rate books by other authors here on Goodreads. I think there are obvious reasons why an author might feel uncomfortable doing that.)

Photo: © John McMullen 2012

Reviews

[Stylo Fantome · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this book, I didn't like it. I was a teenager, and my friend (now my husband!) told me the main character, Addie, reminded him of me. Frankly, I was offended, and anyone who has read it, will understand that. She's bossy and bratty and a know-it-all and likes to have everything done her way and hates using stairs and public transport.

.... now that I am an adult, I'm like "Oh yeah. Totally me."

I love this book now that I've experienced the drudge of every day adult life. I actually love Addie's little quirks, like when she wears the sari to her grandma's house, her "poison dart" looks, and her flashbacks. Oooohhhh, the flashbacks. They make you laugh AND feel bad for her, and crazier still - I have a friend who grew up JUST LIKE HER. Eeek.

Lots of different pieces of this book float back to me, all the time. "Not pants. Trousers. Pleats and cuffs. I'm wearing trousers." Love it. How she "covets" the Lemmings furniture. Basically every interaction her and Fat Bald Jeff have together.

And take a drink for every time she has to be carried up the stairs!

I love it. If you don't mind very intelligent, dry humor, style of writing, this book is awesome.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful, absolutely hysterical. I wish I could do something like this at my job haha.

The only thing about it that bothered me was the main character, i didn't like her (in fact i can't even recall her name). She was over the top dramatic and uptight. Sometimes she made me laugh but most of the time i was just really annoyed with her. She did however provide an interesting lens to look through and now I wonder how many people out there see things the way she does.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in the book are fantastic. Its on my list of books that makes me laugh out loud when I read them (including while on public transit which has the added benefit of getting me a seat all by myself.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of my favorite books. Surly, sarcastic, and subversive. Just the way I like it.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won me over.

Having spent the first half of the book bemoaning my poor choice because Addie was *such* an awful twit, but continuing to read because it was interesting, well. Imagine my bemusement, upon finishing the story, to be thinking, "Hey, that was all right. In fact, it was pretty good." Addie slooooowly becomes more palatable as she discovers at least one positive strength, thanks to Fat Bald Jeff.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was blah, i seriously read it on the train back and forth from NYC today...much preferred the author's other book 'unimaginable zero summer'...i never cared for or developed any sympathy for the main character Addie...

[kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, simple and quick....main character REALLY got on my nerves in this book...it was funny in the beginning then it just got annoying

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

it made me laugh out loud on several occasions. and is a good quick read for when your between books.

[Drea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author lived next door to me in college...a fun read. Good vacation book.

[Lyz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super witty. This is an easy, fun read.

[Melissa Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Which Jeff?"
"Fat bald, fat bald!"
Years after reading this book, that line still makes me laugh out loud.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's kind of awful, but I loved it. The characters are so unlikeable that I must love them, too.