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Conversations With the Fat Girl
Everyone seems to be getting on with their lives except Maggie. At 26, she's still serving coffee at The Beanery Coffee House, while her friends are getting married, having babies, and having real careers. Even Olivia, Maggie's best friend from childhood, is getting married to the doctor with whom she lives. Maggie's roommate? Her dog Solo (his name says it all). The man in Maggie's life? Well there isn't one, except the guy she has a crush on, Domenic, who works with her at the coffee shop as a bus boy.
319 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2005
125 people are currently reading
9457 people want to read
About the author
Liza Palmer
21 books557 followersLiza Palmer is the internationally bestselling author of Conversations with the Fat Girl , which has been optioned for series by HBO.
Library Journal said Palmer’s “blend of humor and sadness is realistic and gripping,..”
After earning two Emmy nominations writing for the first season of VH1’s Pop Up Video, she now knows far too much about Fergie.
Palmer’s fifth novel, Nowhere but Home, is about a failed chef who decides to make last meals for the condemned in Texas. Nowhere but Home won the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction in 2013.
Liza's seventh novel, The F Word, came out through Flatiron Books April 25, 2017.
Liza lives in Los Angeles and when she's not drinking tea and talking about The Great British Bake Off, she works at BuzzFeed.
Library Journal said Palmer’s “blend of humor and sadness is realistic and gripping,..”
After earning two Emmy nominations writing for the first season of VH1’s Pop Up Video, she now knows far too much about Fergie.
Palmer’s fifth novel, Nowhere but Home, is about a failed chef who decides to make last meals for the condemned in Texas. Nowhere but Home won the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction in 2013.
Liza's seventh novel, The F Word, came out through Flatiron Books April 25, 2017.
Liza lives in Los Angeles and when she's not drinking tea and talking about The Great British Bake Off, she works at BuzzFeed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
October 8, 2007
I read Conversations with the Fat Girl by Liza Palmer, and it was one of those books that touched me in a lot of ways. I found myself identifying with the main character, Maggie, in so many ways and recognizing myself in many of her thoughts.
The basic gist is Maggie is 27, single, overweight, and working a lousy job while waiting for the right one to come by. Her best friend, Olivia, had gastric bypass surgery a number of years ago and is now getting married, but since Olivia has found the Land of the Size Twos, things are completely different between the two girls. Olivia is now getting married, with Maggie as the Maid of Honor, and Maggie is learning the hard way how things have changed.
The story line itself is pretty predictable, but in a good way. It was the writing itself, the actual words, that resonated with me. There were times when Maggie said things and I thought, "that's exactly what I felt". The lonliness that set in for me personally around age 28 mirrors Maggie's pretty sharply, although at the time, I was an unhealthy size 4 -- misery then meant not eating. When Maggie moved into her new house, I remembered moving into MY first house, the first one I bought and didn't rent. I sat in this adorable, tiny, 1940's cottage and looked around at the mostly-empty rooms and wondered how in the world I was ever going to make it alone.
One of my favorite bits from the book:
"I really don't want to look like those women -- the price is too high."
And it is! I was thinking about how many hours it took out of my day to be a size 4. Way too many. I was in the gym two and three hours a day, five to six days a week. I'd go in right after work, hit the weights, ride the bike, then go teach an aerobics class. Who has time for that now? I have a husband, a child, friends, a business. I'm reasonably healthy, very happy, so who really cares if I'm not tiny?
The other thing this book reminded me of is it's about ATTITUDE, not size. A girl I know who is thin and (proud of it!) has the nastiest personality known to man. Just snotty, catty, a terrible person. In the book, same thing -- the wedding party of Skinny Minnies was definitely not a group I'd want to hang around with.
I probably haven't done much to explain why this book was so good, so you'll just have to READ it. It's a quick read, you'll find yourself laughing out loud at lots of spots -- go get it.
The basic gist is Maggie is 27, single, overweight, and working a lousy job while waiting for the right one to come by. Her best friend, Olivia, had gastric bypass surgery a number of years ago and is now getting married, but since Olivia has found the Land of the Size Twos, things are completely different between the two girls. Olivia is now getting married, with Maggie as the Maid of Honor, and Maggie is learning the hard way how things have changed.
The story line itself is pretty predictable, but in a good way. It was the writing itself, the actual words, that resonated with me. There were times when Maggie said things and I thought, "that's exactly what I felt". The lonliness that set in for me personally around age 28 mirrors Maggie's pretty sharply, although at the time, I was an unhealthy size 4 -- misery then meant not eating. When Maggie moved into her new house, I remembered moving into MY first house, the first one I bought and didn't rent. I sat in this adorable, tiny, 1940's cottage and looked around at the mostly-empty rooms and wondered how in the world I was ever going to make it alone.
One of my favorite bits from the book:
"I really don't want to look like those women -- the price is too high."
And it is! I was thinking about how many hours it took out of my day to be a size 4. Way too many. I was in the gym two and three hours a day, five to six days a week. I'd go in right after work, hit the weights, ride the bike, then go teach an aerobics class. Who has time for that now? I have a husband, a child, friends, a business. I'm reasonably healthy, very happy, so who really cares if I'm not tiny?
The other thing this book reminded me of is it's about ATTITUDE, not size. A girl I know who is thin and (proud of it!) has the nastiest personality known to man. Just snotty, catty, a terrible person. In the book, same thing -- the wedding party of Skinny Minnies was definitely not a group I'd want to hang around with.
I probably haven't done much to explain why this book was so good, so you'll just have to READ it. It's a quick read, you'll find yourself laughing out loud at lots of spots -- go get it.
May 22, 2025
I've been re-reading this book for years. It has become a comfort read, and mainly that's because I saw parts of me in Maggie from beginning to end. Who hasn't been unhappy with their appearance or their current place in life? And who hadn't had someone who was once a best friend that you can feel yourself growing away from to the point you wonder why in the world are you friends.
"Conversations With the Fat Girl" showcases Maggie who's in her late twenties and who feels adrift from where she currently is in this time of her life. Maggie who has a master's degree and who at one time had hopes of restoring art feels as if everybody in her family has gone on to a different life and when her best friend Olivia becomes engaged she feels even more lost. But besides that Maggie, is nursing a crush on her co-worker Dominic wondering if he is who she needs.
Things I loved about Maggie is that she has a good heart, she's loyal, and that she loves her family. I thought it was pretty cool to have a heroine who is actually trained in something like art restoration since I can't recall that as an occupation I have read before.
But what I thought was great about Maggie is that she knows that her friendship with Olivia is broken and that she still harbors hope that it can be fixed until the realization that it's not going to be fixed hits her.
I don't want to reveal too much because that would end up spoiling the book for others but there's a reason why Maggie and Olivia became friends when they were younger and now there's a reason that they have grown apart. Due to the book being told in the first-person we get a lot of information about Maggie and her family and you're definitely in her head the whole time. Sometimes it might feel like it's a bit too much but I actually thought it worked for the story though I do say that there was a little bit of flow problems in the middle part but not enough for me to ding it. I can't wait to read the sequel to this book to find out what happened to Maggie and actually we're Olivia is now in her life.
Things that are frustrating about Maggie is you get to see before she sees that her weight really doesn't define her and she's been using it kind of as a crutch in order to not hope for what things that she should. She like everybody else in this world wants to be with somebody that loves her.
There's other characters in this book that I thought were really well done we have Maggie's friend at the coffee shop Peregrine, her sister, her mother, Dominic, and of course Olivia.
The book takes place in California with other locations brought up. I will say that Vegas was described better in my eyes than DC was.
The ending left things up in the air. You don't know what happens next, and I have been imagining scenarios for years. I am happy I am finally going to get to see what happened to everyone (fingers crossed).
"Conversations With the Fat Girl" showcases Maggie who's in her late twenties and who feels adrift from where she currently is in this time of her life. Maggie who has a master's degree and who at one time had hopes of restoring art feels as if everybody in her family has gone on to a different life and when her best friend Olivia becomes engaged she feels even more lost. But besides that Maggie, is nursing a crush on her co-worker Dominic wondering if he is who she needs.
Things I loved about Maggie is that she has a good heart, she's loyal, and that she loves her family. I thought it was pretty cool to have a heroine who is actually trained in something like art restoration since I can't recall that as an occupation I have read before.
But what I thought was great about Maggie is that she knows that her friendship with Olivia is broken and that she still harbors hope that it can be fixed until the realization that it's not going to be fixed hits her.
I don't want to reveal too much because that would end up spoiling the book for others but there's a reason why Maggie and Olivia became friends when they were younger and now there's a reason that they have grown apart. Due to the book being told in the first-person we get a lot of information about Maggie and her family and you're definitely in her head the whole time. Sometimes it might feel like it's a bit too much but I actually thought it worked for the story though I do say that there was a little bit of flow problems in the middle part but not enough for me to ding it. I can't wait to read the sequel to this book to find out what happened to Maggie and actually we're Olivia is now in her life.
Things that are frustrating about Maggie is you get to see before she sees that her weight really doesn't define her and she's been using it kind of as a crutch in order to not hope for what things that she should. She like everybody else in this world wants to be with somebody that loves her.
There's other characters in this book that I thought were really well done we have Maggie's friend at the coffee shop Peregrine, her sister, her mother, Dominic, and of course Olivia.
The book takes place in California with other locations brought up. I will say that Vegas was described better in my eyes than DC was.
The ending left things up in the air. You don't know what happens next, and I have been imagining scenarios for years. I am happy I am finally going to get to see what happened to everyone (fingers crossed).
August 13, 2019
I really enjoyed the way this book was written... what I didn't like was the character and unrealistic plot. Liz Palmer really knows how to make a person laugh - I loved the one-liners!
26 year old Maggie is still serving coffee at The Beanery Coffee House while everyone seems to be getting on with their lives. All of Maggie's friends are getting married, having babies, and having real careers. Even her childhood best friend, Olivia, is getting married to the doctor she lives with. Maggie lives with her dog, Solo. The man in Maggie's life? Well, there isn't one, except the guy she has a crush on, Domenic, who works with her at the coffee shop as a bus boy. Follow Maggie along and see where life takes her!
This is a good solid read for what it was... light, entertaining and full of every day women's issues. In my opinion though, it's just a little unrealistic.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
26 year old Maggie is still serving coffee at The Beanery Coffee House while everyone seems to be getting on with their lives. All of Maggie's friends are getting married, having babies, and having real careers. Even her childhood best friend, Olivia, is getting married to the doctor she lives with. Maggie lives with her dog, Solo. The man in Maggie's life? Well, there isn't one, except the guy she has a crush on, Domenic, who works with her at the coffee shop as a bus boy. Follow Maggie along and see where life takes her!
This is a good solid read for what it was... light, entertaining and full of every day women's issues. In my opinion though, it's just a little unrealistic.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2019
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My life is about never putting myself into that situation. I never call attention to myself. That is the code I live by.
At twenty-seven Maggie is still working at Joe's coffee shop, it was just supposed to be while she applied for jobs after college, a week away from being evicted from the house she rents, and starting to feel cracks in the friendship with her bestfriend Olivia. Her mother and sister are trying to gently push her towards a dream internship and to stand up for herself with Olivia, while all Maggie wants to do is be there for her bestfriend as Olivia lives out their highschool dream wedding and quietly lust after Domenic, the bus boy at Joe's.
Conversations with the Fat Girl is a contemporary fiction snippet of life look at how we slowly let societal expectations dictate who we become and how we think about ourselves and the strength and courage it takes to live caring and true to yourself.
Should it worry me that even in my fantasy, the man is getting married for love but I just don't want to be alone anymore?
Told in first person pov from Maggie, the casual, funny, hurts because it's true tone and style drew me in and wrapped me up in Maggie's world. Maggie's always been on the heavier side but the last couple years she's put on more weight and has been slipping into a more lonely life. With Maggie's mom and sister physically looking so different from her, it could have been a ground zero for her pain but the author created a solid family bond that while on the edges can bother Maggie, her relationship with the two ultimately give her love and support. I thought Maggie hurting because she felt lonely but thinking of her family and realizing she may be lonely but she wasn't alone was one of the best moments in the book.
The friendship with Olivia was for the most part at the center of the story, they bonded throughout school with being the outcasts because of their appearance but had a friendship that felt real and it was heartbreaking as the reader sees it breaking apart, before Maggie can even admit it to herself. I thought it was an honest look at how relationships grow and how Maggie feared letting go of a constant in her life. The other secondary characters that included Maggie's co-workers and Olivia's friends were at times rounded out enough to fill out Maggie's world and at others frustratingly left vague (her landlord, Cole the manager at Joe's) or caricature vapid (Olivia's friends).
Dominic is resting his arms on the top of the doorjamb into the bedroom. I know his mouth is moving, but I can't quite make out the words over the roaring fantasies of him standing like that.
I would call this more of a women's fiction than romance but we do have some back and forth and tension with one of Maggie's co-workers, Domenic. We don't get a pov from Domenic, which made some of his actions extremely frustrating as readers are left in the dark along with Maggie about his thoughts and feelings. The author adds in some clues through his body language but for the most part, he was a tough character to crack. When they are together Maggie and Domenic had cute chemistry but just don't expect a strong romance or clear happily ever after as this is solidly Maggie's story.
I finally see myself in the harsh light of that training room. I've convinced myself that I'm unlovable, untouchable, and invisible. But is the reality that there is someone out there for me who will know exactly what it takes to comfort me? That all I need to do is allow it?
This will make you laugh and hurt as Maggie's sense of humor about herself and life is appreciating and depreciating. The first half is more of learning how and why Maggie is in a rut and all the ways she's scared to get out of it and the second half has her waking up to the fact that she is not only hiding from the pain of life but also the joys. Maggie's not a flawless character, she makes fun of a woman's appearance and admits she plays the victim role at times, but Maggie and her story are about evolving and growing out of these attitudes and actions. I enjoyed the friendships she had, hurt for her, cheered her on, and hope Olivia eventually gets the courage Maggie develops. Conversations with the Fat Girl was a draw you in story and I hope everyone leaves it with a little more confidence and a little less apology attitude in their own lives.
What's worse than sitting here now---alone and tormented by my own safe and comfortable life?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My life is about never putting myself into that situation. I never call attention to myself. That is the code I live by.
At twenty-seven Maggie is still working at Joe's coffee shop, it was just supposed to be while she applied for jobs after college, a week away from being evicted from the house she rents, and starting to feel cracks in the friendship with her bestfriend Olivia. Her mother and sister are trying to gently push her towards a dream internship and to stand up for herself with Olivia, while all Maggie wants to do is be there for her bestfriend as Olivia lives out their highschool dream wedding and quietly lust after Domenic, the bus boy at Joe's.
Conversations with the Fat Girl is a contemporary fiction snippet of life look at how we slowly let societal expectations dictate who we become and how we think about ourselves and the strength and courage it takes to live caring and true to yourself.
Should it worry me that even in my fantasy, the man is getting married for love but I just don't want to be alone anymore?
Told in first person pov from Maggie, the casual, funny, hurts because it's true tone and style drew me in and wrapped me up in Maggie's world. Maggie's always been on the heavier side but the last couple years she's put on more weight and has been slipping into a more lonely life. With Maggie's mom and sister physically looking so different from her, it could have been a ground zero for her pain but the author created a solid family bond that while on the edges can bother Maggie, her relationship with the two ultimately give her love and support. I thought Maggie hurting because she felt lonely but thinking of her family and realizing she may be lonely but she wasn't alone was one of the best moments in the book.
The friendship with Olivia was for the most part at the center of the story, they bonded throughout school with being the outcasts because of their appearance but had a friendship that felt real and it was heartbreaking as the reader sees it breaking apart, before Maggie can even admit it to herself. I thought it was an honest look at how relationships grow and how Maggie feared letting go of a constant in her life. The other secondary characters that included Maggie's co-workers and Olivia's friends were at times rounded out enough to fill out Maggie's world and at others frustratingly left vague (her landlord, Cole the manager at Joe's) or caricature vapid (Olivia's friends).
Dominic is resting his arms on the top of the doorjamb into the bedroom. I know his mouth is moving, but I can't quite make out the words over the roaring fantasies of him standing like that.
I would call this more of a women's fiction than romance but we do have some back and forth and tension with one of Maggie's co-workers, Domenic. We don't get a pov from Domenic, which made some of his actions extremely frustrating as readers are left in the dark along with Maggie about his thoughts and feelings. The author adds in some clues through his body language but for the most part, he was a tough character to crack. When they are together Maggie and Domenic had cute chemistry but just don't expect a strong romance or clear happily ever after as this is solidly Maggie's story.
I finally see myself in the harsh light of that training room. I've convinced myself that I'm unlovable, untouchable, and invisible. But is the reality that there is someone out there for me who will know exactly what it takes to comfort me? That all I need to do is allow it?
This will make you laugh and hurt as Maggie's sense of humor about herself and life is appreciating and depreciating. The first half is more of learning how and why Maggie is in a rut and all the ways she's scared to get out of it and the second half has her waking up to the fact that she is not only hiding from the pain of life but also the joys. Maggie's not a flawless character, she makes fun of a woman's appearance and admits she plays the victim role at times, but Maggie and her story are about evolving and growing out of these attitudes and actions. I enjoyed the friendships she had, hurt for her, cheered her on, and hope Olivia eventually gets the courage Maggie develops. Conversations with the Fat Girl was a draw you in story and I hope everyone leaves it with a little more confidence and a little less apology attitude in their own lives.
What's worse than sitting here now---alone and tormented by my own safe and comfortable life?
July 20, 2019
This was a really thoughtful and introspective read. Conversations with the Fat Girl started a little slow for me and I'm not a huge fan of the title, but it ended up surprising me in a wonderful way.
I think many readers will be able to relate to the insecurities, fears, and challenges that our heroine Maggie faces. I loved Maggie's growth through the novel and how she really came into her own.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Kate, Peregrine, and Solo, and there were some hilarious pop culture references. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments and it was a bonus for me that the book took place in Los Angeles. Palmer's writing was witty and entertaining and I enjoyed this heartfelt read.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of the 2019 edition of this book*
I think many readers will be able to relate to the insecurities, fears, and challenges that our heroine Maggie faces. I loved Maggie's growth through the novel and how she really came into her own.
"If you can't even choose yourself, how can anyone else?"This quote was such a turning point in the novel for me. The complexity behind such a simple statement really struck a chord. As Maggie faced off with all of her blue buckets, I also evaluated my own life and perceptions of self. The message of self-worth and value was so important and I appreciated that Liza Palmer addressed it in a realistic and honest way. The collapse of Olivia and Maggie's friendship was a painful reminder that you actively choose who you let into your life and history alone does not dictate your relationships.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Kate, Peregrine, and Solo, and there were some hilarious pop culture references. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments and it was a bonus for me that the book took place in Los Angeles. Palmer's writing was witty and entertaining and I enjoyed this heartfelt read.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of the 2019 edition of this book*
February 20, 2008
After reading (and loving) Liza Palmer's second book, Seeing Me Naked, I had high expectations for her first novel. Conversations with the Fat Girl was not a disappointment. It follows lifelong "fat girl" Maggie who works at a coffee shop even though she has a masters degree in art restoration. Maggie is also hopelessly in love with Domenic--a 28 year old coffee shop busboy who moonlights as a doll maker. But she's afraid to let him get too close for fear he will see her "Area" and lose what interest he seems to have.
At the same time, Maggie's best friend and former fellow fat girl in crime, Olivia, is getting married. One gastric bypass surgery later, Olivia is now a size 2. As they plan the wedding together, Maggie begins to realize that after dropping all those dress sizes there is very little of her formerly witty and fun loving best friend left. As opposed to Elisabeth from Seeing Me Naked, Maggie has a wonderfully supportive family around when she needs them. Bit by painful bit, they help her work through her fears about her body, her self worth, Domenic, and what has happened to her best friend.
I laughed several times while reading this book, though not quite as explosively as while reading Seeing Me Naked. Maggie is easy to like. We all know what it's like to surround ourselves with safe people and a safe place to stay at a time when we're afraid of what life's gonna hand us and of how we will or will not deal with it. What's great about this book is the conversational tone the author takes with her characters, as referenced in the title. Sections in which Maggie seriously questions her life and the Way Things Are flow seamlessly out of scenes of hilarity and heartbreak, including one particularly memorable scene in which Domenic drives a rather the worse for wear Maggie home from a friend's party. As she brokenly tries to tell him how she feels, the conversation devolves into the "In Your Eyes" scene from Say Anything. Palmer knows how to nail a scene and the closing one is great. The only sad thing being that it's over.
At the same time, Maggie's best friend and former fellow fat girl in crime, Olivia, is getting married. One gastric bypass surgery later, Olivia is now a size 2. As they plan the wedding together, Maggie begins to realize that after dropping all those dress sizes there is very little of her formerly witty and fun loving best friend left. As opposed to Elisabeth from Seeing Me Naked, Maggie has a wonderfully supportive family around when she needs them. Bit by painful bit, they help her work through her fears about her body, her self worth, Domenic, and what has happened to her best friend.
I laughed several times while reading this book, though not quite as explosively as while reading Seeing Me Naked. Maggie is easy to like. We all know what it's like to surround ourselves with safe people and a safe place to stay at a time when we're afraid of what life's gonna hand us and of how we will or will not deal with it. What's great about this book is the conversational tone the author takes with her characters, as referenced in the title. Sections in which Maggie seriously questions her life and the Way Things Are flow seamlessly out of scenes of hilarity and heartbreak, including one particularly memorable scene in which Domenic drives a rather the worse for wear Maggie home from a friend's party. As she brokenly tries to tell him how she feels, the conversation devolves into the "In Your Eyes" scene from Say Anything. Palmer knows how to nail a scene and the closing one is great. The only sad thing being that it's over.
August 22, 2012
I really disliked this book. I couldn't even get halfway through it. The way they talk about over weight people is horrible. It's supposed to be ok because the girl herself is fat, so therefore she can say whatever she wants (because that's what all fat people really think to themselves). While that may be true, it isn't what they should be thinking. They should be focusing on the best things about themselves. I started to get really angry at the character for what she was saying. Then I realized that I don't have to read this trash!
I might be fat, but by stopping reading this book I am taking a positive stand against how people can talk and think about us overweight people. We are not discusting, and should be treated with as much respect as any other person!
I might be fat, but by stopping reading this book I am taking a positive stand against how people can talk and think about us overweight people. We are not discusting, and should be treated with as much respect as any other person!
October 27, 2008
I really liked this book. Obviously, from the four star rating.
All of the characters read real, as did the events (although? Who has money to just head off to Vegas for a weekend, especially when one works at a coffee shop? This part struck me as unbelievable) and relationships. I really appreciated Maggie's growth, and was very happy for her at the end. This is a book that I didn't really want to see end.
There isn't any smut in this book, so people who prefer their reading to be smut free will enjoy it!
All of the characters read real, as did the events (although? Who has money to just head off to Vegas for a weekend, especially when one works at a coffee shop? This part struck me as unbelievable) and relationships. I really appreciated Maggie's growth, and was very happy for her at the end. This is a book that I didn't really want to see end.
There isn't any smut in this book, so people who prefer their reading to be smut free will enjoy it!
June 26, 2008
The book was just ok. The ending was good and redeemed the book a little. However, the main character was whiny and I felt somewhat of a connection, but not enough to care about what happened during the whole first 3/4 of the book.
March 19, 2010
I paid $1.99 for this, and that was about $1.98 too much.
August 29, 2019
This was a good read. I loved the way Maggie conversed with herself. It was hilarious and I could totally relate!
March 7, 2024
Loved this book after reading thrillers it was a refreshing change. I can relate to Maggie on so many levels. Love how down to earth this book is and the humour in it.
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January 28, 2019I wrote this as an essay report for a class. It's long and not all that well written, but it gets across the impact this book had on me. If you havent read the book, but plan on reading it, I should warn you this might be considered a "spoiler".
“Conversations with the fat girl” by Liza Palmer is a novel about a woman named Maggie and her struggle to overcome her worst fear . . . herself. Maggie is an artist, she is accomplished, educated and beautiful. So naturally one might ask, “Why is she working in a coffee shop at 27 years old?” “Why does she put up with everyone’s crap?” and “why is she afraid to talk to that amazingly hot guy she works with?” As a child she became friends with a girl named Olivia, their friendship was formed through a connection that they had . . . they were both fat, and alone. That is, until Olivia got gastric bypass surgery, and a fiancée (package deal, of course). While Maggie is hit with reality, Olivia is trying to re build her life into the glamorous, popularity ridden “mean girl” high school dream. This book is about Maggies journey from doormat to queen (at least that my totally bias opinion) to the strong, independent, courageous women she is deep down inside. Palmer tells Maggie’s story with humor, using a voice that is all too real. While reading I got the opportunity to watch Maggie growth, and as a fellow “fat girl” I got to grow with her.
The connection I made with this character is one I will NEVER forget. I picked up this book totally unaware of the impact it would have on my attitude toward myself (some negative and some positive), and the new perspective on life it would give me. It wasn’t until the middle of the book when I realized how much Maggie and I are alike, The self-loathing and the ability to change but the complete fear of success stopping us. This book helped me open my eyes, it forced me realize I am the only thing that stands in my way, and that I deserve a lot more happiness and respect than I allow myself to have.
I have been picked on and teased about my size. I think everyone has been the victim of a cruel kid’s taunts, those taunts don’t even slightly compare to being the butt-end of your own jokes. Throughout this book Maggie makes jokes about her size, The funniest one is when she’s thinking back to shopping for a prom dress and she says “I’m a fat fuck, mom. Just wrap me in a tarp put some lipstick on me, and roll me in the direction of The John Sheridan.” These jokes made me laugh at first. Then about halfway through the book, I broke down in tears. I realized that I make these same jokes, I am my own bully. It’s like I’ve subconsciously come up with the idea that if I tease myself before anyone else does, it will hurt less. Well that’s not the case, it hurts a million and ten times more. I have kept myself from doing so many things because of my size. The clothes I wear . . . the things I say . . . and the things I do, in my head everything makes me a target. SO . . . I stay quiet and I wear dark clothing; I try my hardest to blend into the wallpaper. Maggie’s story taught me that life is worth living, no matter your size.
At a certain point in the book Maggie is at a taco truck where she orders her food and a large drink. The cook comes out and asks “Who ordered the large, and who ordered the small?” the woman who took Maggie’s order says “El grande es para la gordita”. Maggie knows this woman just called her fat. At first she walks away without saying anything. She convinces herself that it’s okay, because the woman is right . . . she is the fat one. Then she realizes it’s not okay. She makes an excuse to go back to the taco truck and she tells the girl off. This, to me, is one of the best parts of the book, because Maggie has never stood up for herself. she’s always allowed people to disrespect her, and not just strangers, but her so-called “friends” as well. Her doormat personality flaw matched mine. I guess we both felt like, not being noticed, or alone in the world was worth being abused, and disrespected. This was the first step she made toward changing her life, and giving herself the respect and happiness she deserves.
Liza Palmer has written a book that a lot of people can identify with, a book that I identified with. Maggie doesn’t just get surgery, or make herself skinny, instead she makes a long term plan to not just overcome her weight, but to also build her confidence, self esteem and body image. She learns how to no longer let her look define who she is. This book was real, and it helped me confront things about myself, I never even knew existed. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a problem with appearances.
“The risk it takes to remain tight inside the bud is more painful the risk it takes to blossom.”
– Anais Nin
Palmer started this book off with this quote, a quote that I have forever written on the walls of my mind.
“Conversations with the fat girl” by Liza Palmer is a novel about a woman named Maggie and her struggle to overcome her worst fear . . . herself. Maggie is an artist, she is accomplished, educated and beautiful. So naturally one might ask, “Why is she working in a coffee shop at 27 years old?” “Why does she put up with everyone’s crap?” and “why is she afraid to talk to that amazingly hot guy she works with?” As a child she became friends with a girl named Olivia, their friendship was formed through a connection that they had . . . they were both fat, and alone. That is, until Olivia got gastric bypass surgery, and a fiancée (package deal, of course). While Maggie is hit with reality, Olivia is trying to re build her life into the glamorous, popularity ridden “mean girl” high school dream. This book is about Maggies journey from doormat to queen (at least that my totally bias opinion) to the strong, independent, courageous women she is deep down inside. Palmer tells Maggie’s story with humor, using a voice that is all too real. While reading I got the opportunity to watch Maggie growth, and as a fellow “fat girl” I got to grow with her.
The connection I made with this character is one I will NEVER forget. I picked up this book totally unaware of the impact it would have on my attitude toward myself (some negative and some positive), and the new perspective on life it would give me. It wasn’t until the middle of the book when I realized how much Maggie and I are alike, The self-loathing and the ability to change but the complete fear of success stopping us. This book helped me open my eyes, it forced me realize I am the only thing that stands in my way, and that I deserve a lot more happiness and respect than I allow myself to have.
I have been picked on and teased about my size. I think everyone has been the victim of a cruel kid’s taunts, those taunts don’t even slightly compare to being the butt-end of your own jokes. Throughout this book Maggie makes jokes about her size, The funniest one is when she’s thinking back to shopping for a prom dress and she says “I’m a fat fuck, mom. Just wrap me in a tarp put some lipstick on me, and roll me in the direction of The John Sheridan.” These jokes made me laugh at first. Then about halfway through the book, I broke down in tears. I realized that I make these same jokes, I am my own bully. It’s like I’ve subconsciously come up with the idea that if I tease myself before anyone else does, it will hurt less. Well that’s not the case, it hurts a million and ten times more. I have kept myself from doing so many things because of my size. The clothes I wear . . . the things I say . . . and the things I do, in my head everything makes me a target. SO . . . I stay quiet and I wear dark clothing; I try my hardest to blend into the wallpaper. Maggie’s story taught me that life is worth living, no matter your size.
At a certain point in the book Maggie is at a taco truck where she orders her food and a large drink. The cook comes out and asks “Who ordered the large, and who ordered the small?” the woman who took Maggie’s order says “El grande es para la gordita”. Maggie knows this woman just called her fat. At first she walks away without saying anything. She convinces herself that it’s okay, because the woman is right . . . she is the fat one. Then she realizes it’s not okay. She makes an excuse to go back to the taco truck and she tells the girl off. This, to me, is one of the best parts of the book, because Maggie has never stood up for herself. she’s always allowed people to disrespect her, and not just strangers, but her so-called “friends” as well. Her doormat personality flaw matched mine. I guess we both felt like, not being noticed, or alone in the world was worth being abused, and disrespected. This was the first step she made toward changing her life, and giving herself the respect and happiness she deserves.
Liza Palmer has written a book that a lot of people can identify with, a book that I identified with. Maggie doesn’t just get surgery, or make herself skinny, instead she makes a long term plan to not just overcome her weight, but to also build her confidence, self esteem and body image. She learns how to no longer let her look define who she is. This book was real, and it helped me confront things about myself, I never even knew existed. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a problem with appearances.
“The risk it takes to remain tight inside the bud is more painful the risk it takes to blossom.”
– Anais Nin
Palmer started this book off with this quote, a quote that I have forever written on the walls of my mind.
August 4, 2019
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Conversations with the Fat Girl is one of the most emotionally honest books I’ve read in a long time. Liza Palmer does a fantastic job of conveying body image issues, childhood friendships, and confidence in an organic, relatable way. There are parts of this story that are so raw and relatable to me that they were heart-wrenching and I absolutely loved that. Maggie is twenty-seven years old, has a master’s degree, and her life is stagnant. She works at a coffee shop and gazes from afar at the cute guy she has a crush on, afraid to put herself out there personally or professionally. I sympathized with Maggie and I yearned to see her find confidence, to break out of her comfort zone and go for what she wants.
The other big storyline in Conversations with the Fat Girl revolves around Maggie being the maid of honor in her childhood best friend’s wedding. Olivia and Maggie were a dynamic pair as teenagers, two plus size girls who were outcasts but who also were true and close friends. But after her gastric bypass, Olivia became obsessed with becoming her ideal self, which is a size two with a fairytale past she has dreamed up. Maggie doesn’t fit into the fantasy world Olivia has created for herself and again, I loved the way Ms. Palmer handles this. Maggie tries to cling to a friendship that isn’t there anymore; what is there is something sad and toxic. It’s understandable why Maggie fights so hard for her friendship with Olivia and it’s a great examination of a complex friendship that has so much history but has come to an end.
There is a lot to love about Conversations with the Fat Girl . The emotions it brought to the surface for me make this a story I will definitely remember. So why four stars instead of five? Well, I didn’t expect or want Maggie to be the perfect heroine, but her flaws did tend to grate on my nerves. She can be childish, petty, judgmental, and her attitude frustrated me quite a few times for reasons which would be spoilers. One non-spoiler example is, while I understand why she gets annoyed with her boss’s attitude in some areas, you cannot blame a supervisor for being irritated that you’re always late for work and seem to spend a good part of your shift chatting in the back room. There’s also a romance element to this story which fell kind of flat for me. Perhaps if Domenic had been better fleshed out and their interactions more developed it would have been a more interesting part to the story.
I have a soft spot for protagonists with body image issues and rarely have I seen it handled so well as it is in this story. I also found the exploration of childhood-to-adulthood friendships where two people have grown far apart engaging and relatable. Maggie did frustrate me at times and if it weren’t such an emotionally vulnerable story I might have rated it lower. But when this book shines, it shines bright and I think that’s what makes it special.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Conversations with the Fat Girl is one of the most emotionally honest books I’ve read in a long time. Liza Palmer does a fantastic job of conveying body image issues, childhood friendships, and confidence in an organic, relatable way. There are parts of this story that are so raw and relatable to me that they were heart-wrenching and I absolutely loved that. Maggie is twenty-seven years old, has a master’s degree, and her life is stagnant. She works at a coffee shop and gazes from afar at the cute guy she has a crush on, afraid to put herself out there personally or professionally. I sympathized with Maggie and I yearned to see her find confidence, to break out of her comfort zone and go for what she wants.
The other big storyline in Conversations with the Fat Girl revolves around Maggie being the maid of honor in her childhood best friend’s wedding. Olivia and Maggie were a dynamic pair as teenagers, two plus size girls who were outcasts but who also were true and close friends. But after her gastric bypass, Olivia became obsessed with becoming her ideal self, which is a size two with a fairytale past she has dreamed up. Maggie doesn’t fit into the fantasy world Olivia has created for herself and again, I loved the way Ms. Palmer handles this. Maggie tries to cling to a friendship that isn’t there anymore; what is there is something sad and toxic. It’s understandable why Maggie fights so hard for her friendship with Olivia and it’s a great examination of a complex friendship that has so much history but has come to an end.
There is a lot to love about Conversations with the Fat Girl . The emotions it brought to the surface for me make this a story I will definitely remember. So why four stars instead of five? Well, I didn’t expect or want Maggie to be the perfect heroine, but her flaws did tend to grate on my nerves. She can be childish, petty, judgmental, and her attitude frustrated me quite a few times for reasons which would be spoilers. One non-spoiler example is, while I understand why she gets annoyed with her boss’s attitude in some areas, you cannot blame a supervisor for being irritated that you’re always late for work and seem to spend a good part of your shift chatting in the back room. There’s also a romance element to this story which fell kind of flat for me. Perhaps if Domenic had been better fleshed out and their interactions more developed it would have been a more interesting part to the story.
I have a soft spot for protagonists with body image issues and rarely have I seen it handled so well as it is in this story. I also found the exploration of childhood-to-adulthood friendships where two people have grown far apart engaging and relatable. Maggie did frustrate me at times and if it weren’t such an emotionally vulnerable story I might have rated it lower. But when this book shines, it shines bright and I think that’s what makes it special.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 5, 2019
This is the very first book I received from Forever that I did not like. 10 minutes into it and I already knew the chances I would like it were small.
The short of it is this: fat shaming is not ok just because the main character is 'fat' and has low self esteem.
While it may be true that most fat/plus size/overweight girls have low self esteem and think that poorly of themselves that isn't what girls should be thinking (and lets face it, most girls have issues of self esteem at one point or other).
A good book would promote self respect and self love, not the opposite. Lets see... is actress Melissa McCarthy ugly or unsuccessful because she is bigger? no. Not even one bit. It is not about size, it is about self love and self worth. And going to the gym and starting self diaries does not equal self love (which is pretty much what the book promotes)!!!! Big FAT pass.
And that is not the only issue. Is this girl really suppose to be an adult? she sounds like a vengeful, shallow, whinny teenager. I don't read much YA contemporary for a reason...I detest that kind of thing. A grown ass woman, low self esteem or not, should not be acting like that.
And why does her friend has to be unhappy just because she lost weight?! Are you kidding me?! So...miserable fat and miserable skinny?! One might need therapy after reading this garbage.
The short of it is this: fat shaming is not ok just because the main character is 'fat' and has low self esteem.
While it may be true that most fat/plus size/overweight girls have low self esteem and think that poorly of themselves that isn't what girls should be thinking (and lets face it, most girls have issues of self esteem at one point or other).
A good book would promote self respect and self love, not the opposite. Lets see... is actress Melissa McCarthy ugly or unsuccessful because she is bigger? no. Not even one bit. It is not about size, it is about self love and self worth. And going to the gym and starting self diaries does not equal self love (which is pretty much what the book promotes)!!!! Big FAT pass.
And that is not the only issue. Is this girl really suppose to be an adult? she sounds like a vengeful, shallow, whinny teenager. I don't read much YA contemporary for a reason...I detest that kind of thing. A grown ass woman, low self esteem or not, should not be acting like that.
And why does her friend has to be unhappy just because she lost weight?! Are you kidding me?! So...miserable fat and miserable skinny?! One might need therapy after reading this garbage.
June 24, 2008
Near the beginning of this novel, I really felt for the main character. As I am a fat girl myself, I could identify with some of the feelings and thoughts that Maggie had. I also thought she was quite funny. One of my favorite parts of the whole book is when Maggie was imagining Olivia and her children looking at pictures from the wedding and saying (with a British accent, no less), "Mummy, who is that fat woman? I'm frightened; I shall have nightmares if I have to look at her another moment." (Disclaimer: this is not a direct quotation from the book, but more my memory of how the scene went.)
However, as the story progressed, I felt like Maggie was very immature in her behaviors and thoughts. I do agree with a fellow reviewer who proclaimed that Maggie's actions at the end of the book did add some redeeming qualities to both the story as a whole and Maggie's personality, but I was somewhat disappointed that the narrator as a whole was so wishy-washy.
However, as the story progressed, I felt like Maggie was very immature in her behaviors and thoughts. I do agree with a fellow reviewer who proclaimed that Maggie's actions at the end of the book did add some redeeming qualities to both the story as a whole and Maggie's personality, but I was somewhat disappointed that the narrator as a whole was so wishy-washy.
July 11, 2013
This is one of the best books about the ugly side of female friendships I've read. (Actually, it's probably the best, since I generally have issues with the fantasy-style portrayal of BFFs in fiction.) Also, this is an interesting exploration of the dissonance between the way people--especially women--see themselves and the way others see them and the idea of constructed identities.
Also, this book is quite hilarious.
Also, this book is quite hilarious.
August 11, 2019
I could not connect with this story. I wanted to. It just seemed like the protagonist spent all her time fat bashing herself and feeling as if she is not worthy. It became a problem. I was hoping we would start moving forward...unfortunately that was not the case.
The story was the main problem for me, I would absolutely read another book by Liza. This particular one, was not a good fit ☹️.
The story was the main problem for me, I would absolutely read another book by Liza. This particular one, was not a good fit ☹️.
dnf
September 25, 2019DNF page 101
I really wanted to like this but I was struggling so I put it to the side and haven't picked it up in two months. In that time, I've had no desire to try again so I think it best to officially call it quits.
This book meant a lot to people when it was first released and I was interested to see why, especially because I love books that explore friendship. However, Maggie's body image issues (so much self-imposed fat-shaming, as well as fat-shaming from others) coupled with her doormat behavior with everyone in her life is too much for me to take right now. Perhaps she starts showing gumption soon after this but I just can't wait around any longer for it to appear.
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Forever in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this but I was struggling so I put it to the side and haven't picked it up in two months. In that time, I've had no desire to try again so I think it best to officially call it quits.
This book meant a lot to people when it was first released and I was interested to see why, especially because I love books that explore friendship. However, Maggie's body image issues (so much self-imposed fat-shaming, as well as fat-shaming from others) coupled with her doormat behavior with everyone in her life is too much for me to take right now. Perhaps she starts showing gumption soon after this but I just can't wait around any longer for it to appear.
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from Forever in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2019
Sometimes books come into your life for a reason. It can be used as a way to escape but sometimes it comes in the form of something you just need to hear. Liza Palmer did an exceptional job of conveying feelings I know will touch us emotionally and intimately. I am so thankful I was able to read it this time around.
August 21, 2021
Like being with a friend that made you laugh right when you needed it.
August 7, 2019
Conversations with the Fat Girl is a book that was released years ago but is relevant to any woman at any time in her life. Liza Palmer writes about weight issues in a way that inspires and can make you laugh.
February 12, 2014
Review originally posted here: http://www.paperiot.com/2014/02/revie...
I’ve done everything but shout my love for Liza Palmer’s writing from the rooftops in an attempt to convince everyone to pick up at least one of her novels. She became one of my all-time favorite authors after reading my first of her books, Nowhere But Home. So, needless to say, my expectations were extremely high when I started reading Conversations with the Fat Girl. One of the (many) reasons that I fell in love with Nowhere But Home was because of Liza’s beautiful writing, and I am happy to say that Conversations with the Fat Girl offers the same vivid descriptions and lyrical phrasing that I have come to adore about her books.
The story is told in the first person point-of-view of Maggie, who is a 26-year-old coffee shop waitress with a Master’s degree in art history and museum studies. She and Olivia have been best friends since childhood, when they were always “lumped together” as “one single Fat Entity”—in other words, Maggie and Olivia were social outcasts because of their weight. Now, after having gastric bypass surgery, Olivia is a size 2 and engaged to a gorgeous doctor (albeit a jerk), and she is on a mission to keep any trace of her former obesity completely hidden from her “perfect” fiancé. Maggie and Olivia still claim to be best friends after all this time, but truthfully, their friendship is strained. Olivia is more worried about maintaining her perfect image than cultivating their friendship, while Maggie is still struggling with her weight and its accompanying vulnerabilities. Maggie’s family is an incredible support system, but she is the only person who can learn to conquer her own insecurities. This is a story about Maggie’s personal journey through family, friendship, love, and learning what it means to be a self-respecting adult.
So, if it isn’t obvious, I love this book. I seriously just wanted to hug it when I was finished! Liza Palmer has a way of telling a story that makes it seem as if the events are unfolding right before your eyes. She also has a special knack for creating main characters that are extremely relatable. Just as I felt an instant connection to Queenie in Nowhere But Home, I could also understand Maggie’s insecurities about her weight and her fear of putting herself out there to search for a respectable job, to make new friends, and to let a certain coworker know how she feels about him. In my experience, most people have something that makes them feel vulnerable, so I think that most readers will get Maggie’s character.
Then there is Maggie’s family. Oh, how I adore them! I have a notebook that I jot notes in while I’m reading, and one of the notes I wrote about Conversations with the Fat Girl says, “Liza Palmer writes kick-ass families.” This is truth, though! I absolutely loved Queenie’s family in Nowhere But Home, and Maggie’s family is just as endearing. Her mom and stepfather are great (her mom has a little bit of a potty mouth, which is so cute), and her sister Kate, brother-in-law and two nieces care so much about her. Kate and Maggie are so close, and it’s so refreshing to see a healthy sister relationship in an adult fiction novel. I’ve noticed that siblings are often a source of contention in adult fiction, so I truly love that Kate is Maggie’s closest friend and biggest fan.
Conversations with the Fat Girl obviously had big shoes to fill for me, and I am happy to report that it was up to the task. I will say that it did start out a bit slow at first, but I sunk into Palmer’s writing like a fluffy pillow, getting comfortable until the story started picking up the pace. While I didn’t love it quite as much as Nowhere But Home, it is a new favorite that I plan to revisit again and again. After finishing this one, I immediately got online and ordered the rest of Liza Palmer’s books that I haven’t read yet. I can’t wait to start the next one!
________________________________________________________________
Once again, Liza Palmer creates a perfectly relatable character in Maggie, and I adore Maggie's family and how supportive they are of her. Loved the ending!
Review to come.
I’ve done everything but shout my love for Liza Palmer’s writing from the rooftops in an attempt to convince everyone to pick up at least one of her novels. She became one of my all-time favorite authors after reading my first of her books, Nowhere But Home. So, needless to say, my expectations were extremely high when I started reading Conversations with the Fat Girl. One of the (many) reasons that I fell in love with Nowhere But Home was because of Liza’s beautiful writing, and I am happy to say that Conversations with the Fat Girl offers the same vivid descriptions and lyrical phrasing that I have come to adore about her books.
The story is told in the first person point-of-view of Maggie, who is a 26-year-old coffee shop waitress with a Master’s degree in art history and museum studies. She and Olivia have been best friends since childhood, when they were always “lumped together” as “one single Fat Entity”—in other words, Maggie and Olivia were social outcasts because of their weight. Now, after having gastric bypass surgery, Olivia is a size 2 and engaged to a gorgeous doctor (albeit a jerk), and she is on a mission to keep any trace of her former obesity completely hidden from her “perfect” fiancé. Maggie and Olivia still claim to be best friends after all this time, but truthfully, their friendship is strained. Olivia is more worried about maintaining her perfect image than cultivating their friendship, while Maggie is still struggling with her weight and its accompanying vulnerabilities. Maggie’s family is an incredible support system, but she is the only person who can learn to conquer her own insecurities. This is a story about Maggie’s personal journey through family, friendship, love, and learning what it means to be a self-respecting adult.
So, if it isn’t obvious, I love this book. I seriously just wanted to hug it when I was finished! Liza Palmer has a way of telling a story that makes it seem as if the events are unfolding right before your eyes. She also has a special knack for creating main characters that are extremely relatable. Just as I felt an instant connection to Queenie in Nowhere But Home, I could also understand Maggie’s insecurities about her weight and her fear of putting herself out there to search for a respectable job, to make new friends, and to let a certain coworker know how she feels about him. In my experience, most people have something that makes them feel vulnerable, so I think that most readers will get Maggie’s character.
Then there is Maggie’s family. Oh, how I adore them! I have a notebook that I jot notes in while I’m reading, and one of the notes I wrote about Conversations with the Fat Girl says, “Liza Palmer writes kick-ass families.” This is truth, though! I absolutely loved Queenie’s family in Nowhere But Home, and Maggie’s family is just as endearing. Her mom and stepfather are great (her mom has a little bit of a potty mouth, which is so cute), and her sister Kate, brother-in-law and two nieces care so much about her. Kate and Maggie are so close, and it’s so refreshing to see a healthy sister relationship in an adult fiction novel. I’ve noticed that siblings are often a source of contention in adult fiction, so I truly love that Kate is Maggie’s closest friend and biggest fan.
Conversations with the Fat Girl obviously had big shoes to fill for me, and I am happy to report that it was up to the task. I will say that it did start out a bit slow at first, but I sunk into Palmer’s writing like a fluffy pillow, getting comfortable until the story started picking up the pace. While I didn’t love it quite as much as Nowhere But Home, it is a new favorite that I plan to revisit again and again. After finishing this one, I immediately got online and ordered the rest of Liza Palmer’s books that I haven’t read yet. I can’t wait to start the next one!
________________________________________________________________
Once again, Liza Palmer creates a perfectly relatable character in Maggie, and I adore Maggie's family and how supportive they are of her. Loved the ending!
Review to come.
June 2, 2008
I liked and did not like this book. Sometimes it depicted the sense of poor self esteem just to well and it was painful to read. The main character was smart, loved and supported by her family yet she could not seem to stop obsessing about her weight and body beyond the negative aspects. It is hard to hear someone talk about their big ass and their ugliness yet my experience as an overweight woman is that there was just to much truth in that repetative little self talk tape.
The second story line is between the disintegration of a friendship that at one time had been good but became toxic. How many times is the main character going to let herself be treated like dung before she gets up on her hind legs and call her "friend" on it or better still just not engage.
The dissolution of the friendship is also a mirror of the journey of the fat woman becoming not fat how one goes about this and the consequences. To lose weight because you hate yourself or to lose weight because you learn to love yourself.
Some of the depictions of other people I really did not like. It is kind of like the sterotypes of anybody, are there no intelligent, kind jocks out there? Are all thin women, brainless and insensitive? Are all goodlooking men gods and thin too?
The second story line is between the disintegration of a friendship that at one time had been good but became toxic. How many times is the main character going to let herself be treated like dung before she gets up on her hind legs and call her "friend" on it or better still just not engage.
The dissolution of the friendship is also a mirror of the journey of the fat woman becoming not fat how one goes about this and the consequences. To lose weight because you hate yourself or to lose weight because you learn to love yourself.
Some of the depictions of other people I really did not like. It is kind of like the sterotypes of anybody, are there no intelligent, kind jocks out there? Are all thin women, brainless and insensitive? Are all goodlooking men gods and thin too?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2014
I read this book many years ago and am probably do for a re-read now that I have experienced a influx of weight and decrease of esteem. I read it long ago when I was slim [but didn't believe I was] and could relate to her feelings, particularly this quote:
“my relationship with my body is like that of an egomaniac with a self-esteem problem. mostly i think about myself and how much i suck. but there are rare moments when i walk around for hours and think i look amazing. either i feel great about myself or i've decided some guy is checking me out. then i catch a side view of myself in a store window or a department store mirror and i'm plunged into despair. if i could always life in a place with no mirrors or disapproving glances, i would think i was the prettiest girl around.”
..which I know I am not the only one who has felt the same way.
Liza Palmer has written a book that a lot of people can identify with - and not just those struggling with excess weight either. I feel that we all have body issues to varying degrees. We all have things that make us self conscious and we see in a harder light than others; that we may love in the morning and loathe in the afternoon - and we have that same internal monologue about it as Maggie does in this novel.
“my relationship with my body is like that of an egomaniac with a self-esteem problem. mostly i think about myself and how much i suck. but there are rare moments when i walk around for hours and think i look amazing. either i feel great about myself or i've decided some guy is checking me out. then i catch a side view of myself in a store window or a department store mirror and i'm plunged into despair. if i could always life in a place with no mirrors or disapproving glances, i would think i was the prettiest girl around.”
..which I know I am not the only one who has felt the same way.
Liza Palmer has written a book that a lot of people can identify with - and not just those struggling with excess weight either. I feel that we all have body issues to varying degrees. We all have things that make us self conscious and we see in a harder light than others; that we may love in the morning and loathe in the afternoon - and we have that same internal monologue about it as Maggie does in this novel.
December 31, 2010
Well, a book that definitely surprised me in positive and negative ways. I was concerned when I decided to choose this book for the challenge that it would center on a character that only complained about her weight and didn't do anything to change her life. Half right and half wrong, she was definitely a whiner, but she did start doing some things to help with the weight.
The whining that set me off was all about her former best friend Olivia who was once a big girl and due to gastric-bypass is now one of those "skinny girls." She let this girl walk all over her for WAY too long, I couldn't believe that she didn't stand up to her earlier. I won't divulge when it happened, but goodness it was way too late in the book.
I enjoyed her family interactions and her change in attitude towards her work dreams, but the frustration over the friendship made me like the book less and less. So, it's an alright book, if you see at the library its worth the read, but I wouldn't go searching for it.
The whining that set me off was all about her former best friend Olivia who was once a big girl and due to gastric-bypass is now one of those "skinny girls." She let this girl walk all over her for WAY too long, I couldn't believe that she didn't stand up to her earlier. I won't divulge when it happened, but goodness it was way too late in the book.
I enjoyed her family interactions and her change in attitude towards her work dreams, but the frustration over the friendship made me like the book less and less. So, it's an alright book, if you see at the library its worth the read, but I wouldn't go searching for it.
May 15, 2009
I'm not a big chick lit fan but this was my book club's pick for July. I don't think the writing style is particularly great-- I tripped over some of the phrasing and repetitiveness-- but I did end up really enjoying the protagonist in this story.
Maggie is fat, and her best friend Olivia is now skinny as the result of gastric bypass surgery. As the dynamic of their friendship changes, Maggie is forced to ask herself some tough questions about what this relationship is worth to her and how much she values herself as a person.
Olivia is a little shrill and over the top, but I thought Maggie was a very real character. I loved that this book has a happy ending with some subtlety. Maggie doesn't get skinny, but she becomes more interested in her health and respects herself enough to make some changes. She decides to stop hiding from the world and being ashamed of herself. She opens herself up to love and career change. I liked the ending and I liked Maggie.
Maggie is fat, and her best friend Olivia is now skinny as the result of gastric bypass surgery. As the dynamic of their friendship changes, Maggie is forced to ask herself some tough questions about what this relationship is worth to her and how much she values herself as a person.
Olivia is a little shrill and over the top, but I thought Maggie was a very real character. I loved that this book has a happy ending with some subtlety. Maggie doesn't get skinny, but she becomes more interested in her health and respects herself enough to make some changes. She decides to stop hiding from the world and being ashamed of herself. She opens herself up to love and career change. I liked the ending and I liked Maggie.
March 11, 2017
This was another box sale book, one that I had already read before. (And enjoyed.) But in the years since I last read it, I forgot it – actually, I got I confused with a Beth Harbison book that I read five years ago, and looking at the summary, the best friend is named Olivia, so it makes sense.
While I enjoyed this book when I read it a million years ago, I wasn’t such a fan this time. Maggie was such a sad sack, moping about everything. It got tiresome to read about her pity party. And just as things started to pick up and I thought that maybe Maggie wasn’t so bad? The book ended.
On the plus side, finally getting rid of this book after all these (unread) years makes some more space on my bookshelf!
While I enjoyed this book when I read it a million years ago, I wasn’t such a fan this time. Maggie was such a sad sack, moping about everything. It got tiresome to read about her pity party. And just as things started to pick up and I thought that maybe Maggie wasn’t so bad? The book ended.
On the plus side, finally getting rid of this book after all these (unread) years makes some more space on my bookshelf!
January 17, 2018
Have you ever forced yourself through a book that you really felt like you SHOULD like, but it just ended up being awful? That was this book for me. Based on the synopsis, this book should have been right up my alley. Instead, this book was horror after horror. There wasn't even a good resolution at the end of the book to make wading through 500 pages of shit worth it. This book reinforced so much of the fat-shaming mentality that we see today. According to this book, overweight women should be anxious and shy and have no confidence. That is, of course, until they start food diaries and going to the gym and losing weight... because THAT is when they should find their confidence.
FUCK. THAT. NOISE.
FUCK. THAT. NOISE.
October 8, 2014
I read this a while ago, but I remember that I really, REALLY loved it. It was one of those "I have to underline stuff in this book, NOW" books, because there were so many quotes and passages that captured my attention (and my own life) so completely.
If you've ever been the fat friend, the other girl, the girl who's always "one of the guys," then you'll probably love what this book has to say.
Highly, highly recommended.
If you've ever been the fat friend, the other girl, the girl who's always "one of the guys," then you'll probably love what this book has to say.
Highly, highly recommended.
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