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Fag Hag
An immediate cult sensation when it was first released in 1992, Fag Hag gave birth to a genre that later reached mainstream popularity in "Will and Grace." Long out of print, the novel finally returns to shock and delight a whole new generation. Natalie Stathis is a big, flamboyant girl with a big, obsessive crush on a gorgeous gay artist, Peter Leland. She's managed to become his best friend and constant companion, and gleefully uses her influence over him to poison every one of his budding romances-on the principle that when he's run through all the men in town, it'll finally be her turn. But when Peter finds true love in the unlikely arms of Lloyd Hood-a taciturn, gun-toting survivalist-none of Natalie's usual plots and stratagems can separate them. She's forced to throw caution to the wind and discretion out the door, and begin a campaign to win back her man that is actively, even dangerously, criminal. Brazenly irreverent, hilariously caustic, and grippingly suspenseful, Fag Hag is a novel you won't easily forget."Absorbing and powerful...Larger-than-life...A one-two punch of outrageous humor and sobering pathos...Succeeds admirably both as satire and as flat-out entertainment." - New York Native
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
20 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rodi
210 books123 followersRobert was born in Chicago in the conformist 1950s, grew up in the insurrectionist 1960s, came of age in the hedonist 1970s, and went to work in the elitist 1980s. This roller-coaster ride has left him with a distinct aversion to isms of any kind; it also gave him an ear for hypocrisy, cant, and platitudes that allowed him, in the 1990s, to become a much-lauded social satirist.
After seven acclaimed novels set in the gay milieu, Robert grew restless for new challenges — which he found in activities as wide-ranging as publishing nonfiction, writing comic books, launching a literary-criticism blog, and taking to the stage (as a spoken-word performer, jazz singer, and rock-and-roll front man).
In 2011, excited by the rise of digital e-books, he returned to his first love, publishing new fiction inspired by the work of Alfred Hitchcock. He also organized the republishing of his seminal gay novels under the banner Robert Rodi Essentials.
Robert still resides in Chicago, in a century-old Queen Anne house with his partner Jeffrey Smith and a constantly shifting number of dogs.
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German version: Robert Rodi wurde 1956 in einem Vorort von Chicago geboren. Im Alter von 22 schloss er sein Philosophie-Studium ab. Schon vorher beschäftigte er sich mit Comedy. Sein erster eigener Roman, "Fag Hag" aus dem Jahr 1991 war ein großer Erfolg. Es folgten mehrere andere komische Romane, zahlreiche Kurzgeschichten und Sketche. Robert lebt mit Partner und Hund in Chicago.
After seven acclaimed novels set in the gay milieu, Robert grew restless for new challenges — which he found in activities as wide-ranging as publishing nonfiction, writing comic books, launching a literary-criticism blog, and taking to the stage (as a spoken-word performer, jazz singer, and rock-and-roll front man).
In 2011, excited by the rise of digital e-books, he returned to his first love, publishing new fiction inspired by the work of Alfred Hitchcock. He also organized the republishing of his seminal gay novels under the banner Robert Rodi Essentials.
Robert still resides in Chicago, in a century-old Queen Anne house with his partner Jeffrey Smith and a constantly shifting number of dogs.
.
German version: Robert Rodi wurde 1956 in einem Vorort von Chicago geboren. Im Alter von 22 schloss er sein Philosophie-Studium ab. Schon vorher beschäftigte er sich mit Comedy. Sein erster eigener Roman, "Fag Hag" aus dem Jahr 1991 war ein großer Erfolg. Es folgten mehrere andere komische Romane, zahlreiche Kurzgeschichten und Sketche. Robert lebt mit Partner und Hund in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 2, 2019
I'm a big fan of this deceptively simple book.
Summary: Natalie Stathis, manipulator extraordinaire, is fixated on beautiful but aimless Peter Leland, who is fixated on nothing. That changes when Peter meets libertarian Lloyd Hood, and their growing attraction pushes Natalie to new levels of scheming to keep them apart. At first a light comedy, the story turns darker as Natalie resorts to increasingly extreme measures to stay in Peter's life.
Although it's easy to side with Peter, I found myself sympathizing with Natalie, and I think author Robert Rodi would understand why. Yes, as the story progresses Natalie becomes increasingly unhinged, and yet her observations about Peter are not far wrong. Peter really does not know what he wants out of life, which is no doubt why he allowed Natalie to manipulate him for so long. He's accustomed to bending towards the most proximate power source, and when Lloyd supplants Natalie as the sun in his sky, Peter responds by adopting Lloyd's lifestyle, his libertarian philosophy and even his appearance. Peter has not chosen a parallel but independent life path; instead, he has simply adopted Lloyd's.
Which brings us to Mr. Hood. Peter is instantly impressed with Lloyd's mind (Peter's usual kind of man is about as intellectual as a Hello Kitty cell phone case), and yet he fails to recognize the facile smugness of Lloyd's libertarian ideology. To Lloyd, things are simple and choices clear-cut, a much more comforting approach to life than, say, embracing the complexities and uncertainties of the real world. Natalie, who has her own delusions, is nonetheless able to grasp this, and even to incorporate it into one of her many plots to pry Lloyd away from Peter. She's a sharp observer of human beings, even if she uses this primarily to manipulate them, and she recognizes Lloyd's dime-store philosophy for what it is.
Finally, even though Natalie's actions paint her as the villain of the piece, I found myself growing increasingly impatient with Peter. Natalie toys with him as if he were a chess piece, but he gets something out of that game as well. By submitting to her manipulation, he remains the belle of the ball, continually desired but forever out of reach. Her affections provide validation without in any way restricting his search for a man who will eventually usurp her as his #1 admirer. It's a twisted relationship, but Natalie's not the only contributor to the dysfunction.
All in all, Fag Hag is an interesting read, and one that packs more punch than you'd expect.
Summary: Natalie Stathis, manipulator extraordinaire, is fixated on beautiful but aimless Peter Leland, who is fixated on nothing. That changes when Peter meets libertarian Lloyd Hood, and their growing attraction pushes Natalie to new levels of scheming to keep them apart. At first a light comedy, the story turns darker as Natalie resorts to increasingly extreme measures to stay in Peter's life.
Although it's easy to side with Peter, I found myself sympathizing with Natalie, and I think author Robert Rodi would understand why. Yes, as the story progresses Natalie becomes increasingly unhinged, and yet her observations about Peter are not far wrong. Peter really does not know what he wants out of life, which is no doubt why he allowed Natalie to manipulate him for so long. He's accustomed to bending towards the most proximate power source, and when Lloyd supplants Natalie as the sun in his sky, Peter responds by adopting Lloyd's lifestyle, his libertarian philosophy and even his appearance. Peter has not chosen a parallel but independent life path; instead, he has simply adopted Lloyd's.
Which brings us to Mr. Hood. Peter is instantly impressed with Lloyd's mind (Peter's usual kind of man is about as intellectual as a Hello Kitty cell phone case), and yet he fails to recognize the facile smugness of Lloyd's libertarian ideology. To Lloyd, things are simple and choices clear-cut, a much more comforting approach to life than, say, embracing the complexities and uncertainties of the real world. Natalie, who has her own delusions, is nonetheless able to grasp this, and even to incorporate it into one of her many plots to pry Lloyd away from Peter. She's a sharp observer of human beings, even if she uses this primarily to manipulate them, and she recognizes Lloyd's dime-store philosophy for what it is.
Finally, even though Natalie's actions paint her as the villain of the piece, I found myself growing increasingly impatient with Peter. Natalie toys with him as if he were a chess piece, but he gets something out of that game as well. By submitting to her manipulation, he remains the belle of the ball, continually desired but forever out of reach. Her affections provide validation without in any way restricting his search for a man who will eventually usurp her as his #1 admirer. It's a twisted relationship, but Natalie's not the only contributor to the dysfunction.
All in all, Fag Hag is an interesting read, and one that packs more punch than you'd expect.
June 17, 2007
a tad misogynistic in that way that only gay men can get away with.
August 13, 2012
It's always very odd how something can just sweep you up, capture you, envelop you and take you on a journey. A very grandiose opening, I must admit, for a three-star rated book, but an interesting thought just occurred. Maybe sometimes it's not the book itself but the situation in which it is read. I'm sure I'm not the only one to devour books ravenously simply because they are the perfect accompaniment to sitting outside on a summer weekend (as this was). They are not over complex, the characters are rather simple, the plot is a page turner and there are moments of drama, humour and sheer madness.
Therein, lies the rating. Yes I was turning every page to find out what happened, only to be confronted by a complete lack of character development or depth. I was enjoying the plot and some of the recognisable aspects of gay culture despite some of the completely mad, unbelievable, ridiculous and totally coincidental moments, some of which were a delightful surprise, some just a crazy step too far. I was enjoying the fact that despite being a rather morose effort I occasionally had to reach for the dictionary to discover the meaning of a complex word, slipped into one of the more verbose passages, or occasionally into the mouths of one of the character's ridiculously over-written dialogue.
The prologue nearly made me put the book down. The characters were as recognisable as they were unlikeable and two-dimensional. Little had changed by the predictable epilogue as telegraphed by the oh-so-lame look at a similar situation developing between younger characters complete with ignorant eye-roll, sigh and move-on of the title character.
Being a somewhat shallow person, reading this on a warm, tropical beach, may have pushed it to 4 stars!
Therein, lies the rating. Yes I was turning every page to find out what happened, only to be confronted by a complete lack of character development or depth. I was enjoying the plot and some of the recognisable aspects of gay culture despite some of the completely mad, unbelievable, ridiculous and totally coincidental moments, some of which were a delightful surprise, some just a crazy step too far. I was enjoying the fact that despite being a rather morose effort I occasionally had to reach for the dictionary to discover the meaning of a complex word, slipped into one of the more verbose passages, or occasionally into the mouths of one of the character's ridiculously over-written dialogue.
The prologue nearly made me put the book down. The characters were as recognisable as they were unlikeable and two-dimensional. Little had changed by the predictable epilogue as telegraphed by the oh-so-lame look at a similar situation developing between younger characters complete with ignorant eye-roll, sigh and move-on of the title character.
Being a somewhat shallow person, reading this on a warm, tropical beach, may have pushed it to 4 stars!
August 3, 2009
Though there were parts of this book that made me giggle and sometimes laugh out loud, the text as a whole left me a little cold. The novel, a lot like one of the main characters, seemed to work way too hard to be quirky funny and the result felt a bit more "mean" than satirical. There's something to be said for exploring the dark side of the straight girl-gay guy friendship (a staple in almost every chick lit novel and Hollywood romantic comedy) but Natalie, the chubby (of course) fag hag of the title, is so completely crazy and egocentric that I wanted to slap her and yell, Cher-like, "Snap out of it!" Was that what Rodi had in mind? I'm not sure.
Here's the set-up. Natalie is best friends with Peter, a gay artist looking for love, but Natalie wants Peter for herself so she does her best to sabotage every relationship Peter gets into. However, she seems to have met her match when Peter falls for an unlikely soulmate. Larry is a gun-toting survivialist, quoting liberally from Ayn Rand, and willing to discuss his political views with any and everyone. Natalie's usual tatics fail (bringing the couple closer together instead of driving them apart) and she must turn to more desparate measures--surveilance devices, breaking and entering, etc. Rodi had two ways he could have ended the story and he picked the safer one. Too bad.
Here's the set-up. Natalie is best friends with Peter, a gay artist looking for love, but Natalie wants Peter for herself so she does her best to sabotage every relationship Peter gets into. However, she seems to have met her match when Peter falls for an unlikely soulmate. Larry is a gun-toting survivialist, quoting liberally from Ayn Rand, and willing to discuss his political views with any and everyone. Natalie's usual tatics fail (bringing the couple closer together instead of driving them apart) and she must turn to more desparate measures--surveilance devices, breaking and entering, etc. Rodi had two ways he could have ended the story and he picked the safer one. Too bad.
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March 17, 2015*SPOILER ALERT*
This book was infuriating. It certainly was not "a hilarious tale - bitchy without being savage" because the main character (Natalie Stathis) was - to put it simply - psychotic! Can someone please explain to me how breaking into your supposed 'best friend's' house in a disguise and holding him at gunpoint while pretending to rob him and later trapping him in a sound proof room in your basement to make him fall in love with you is 'bitchy without being savage'?! I only read the whole thing in the vain hope that everything comes crashing down around her or she dies in some horribly painful way since she was such a maddening protagonist to suffer through. I didn't give this book any stars because she doesn't even suffer a proper comeuppance after being caught, as in a matter of months she's spending Christmas surrounded by a loving family and her 'best friend' that she essentially manipulated and tortured forgiving her. To conclude, don't read this book unless you love exaggerated and stereotypical homosexual characters and think that bugging your best friends bedroom in the hopes of finding weaknesses in his marriage is "side splitting".
This book was infuriating. It certainly was not "a hilarious tale - bitchy without being savage" because the main character (Natalie Stathis) was - to put it simply - psychotic! Can someone please explain to me how breaking into your supposed 'best friend's' house in a disguise and holding him at gunpoint while pretending to rob him and later trapping him in a sound proof room in your basement to make him fall in love with you is 'bitchy without being savage'?! I only read the whole thing in the vain hope that everything comes crashing down around her or she dies in some horribly painful way since she was such a maddening protagonist to suffer through. I didn't give this book any stars because she doesn't even suffer a proper comeuppance after being caught, as in a matter of months she's spending Christmas surrounded by a loving family and her 'best friend' that she essentially manipulated and tortured forgiving her. To conclude, don't read this book unless you love exaggerated and stereotypical homosexual characters and think that bugging your best friends bedroom in the hopes of finding weaknesses in his marriage is "side splitting".
May 28, 2017
I originally read this book back in 1993 shortly after coming out. At the time, this was a very well loved book that took a traditional theme (absurdity via satire) and added a gay twist. Reading it again today was a bit of a nostalgia trip that shines a light on how much the world has changed for LGBT people and their friends. Ghettos are a relic of the past, the thought of an LGBT person without liberal politics isn't ridiculed and the term fag hag has passed from usage.
Regardless, this was still a romp to read with compelling characters and simple narrative… but that could just be the nostalgia for a more complex yet much simpler world to be living in.
Regardless, this was still a romp to read with compelling characters and simple narrative… but that could just be the nostalgia for a more complex yet much simpler world to be living in.
August 7, 2024
For a random purchase at a used book store, this was a deeeeeelicious surprise!! Easy, entertaining, funny, campy. Flaws were the pace and the length, some unnecessary characters and unnecessary chapters and 2/3rds in I was like okay bitch wrap it up. Wasn’t satisfied with the ending but was satisfied with the build up to the ending
April 28, 2025
Natalie was delulu ala Kathy Bates in Misery levels but this was an interesting page turner for sure! I truly did not think the novel would get as dark as it did!
This novel is for sure of its time (the white savior and inner city black youth storyline was so cringe) and it’s got everything in the kitchen sink in it - a violently obsessed bestie, gaggles of bland queens, a gay gun-toting libertarian survivalist, a thirsty size queen cop acting hella sketch in pursuit of that big D, a libertarian rap group, diaper and scat fetishists, home invasions, and a hostage situation.
My main point of discontentment with this book, is that I didn’t like any of the characters which is usually table stakes for whether I like a book. Peter was especially insufferable to me - he was just such a basic, bland dude who doesn’t really have his own personality and just adapts to whoever has a stronger personality or point of view - like Natalie, girl, this is who you went crazy over???
There were also points where it just felt misogynistic and mean spirited towards the titular “fag hags”, despite Rodi’s attempts at contextualizing them and their POV with that news segment scene. With Natalie, we spent so much time in her inner world but it truly did not make sense why she went off the deep end to the extent that she did with Peter even with granting that Natalie likely had severe mental health issues.
Truly the best part of this novel was the scene where the bitchy little twink gets his comeuppance with the diaper fetish polaroid at the party.
This novel is for sure of its time (the white savior and inner city black youth storyline was so cringe) and it’s got everything in the kitchen sink in it - a violently obsessed bestie, gaggles of bland queens, a gay gun-toting libertarian survivalist, a thirsty size queen cop acting hella sketch in pursuit of that big D, a libertarian rap group, diaper and scat fetishists, home invasions, and a hostage situation.
My main point of discontentment with this book, is that I didn’t like any of the characters which is usually table stakes for whether I like a book. Peter was especially insufferable to me - he was just such a basic, bland dude who doesn’t really have his own personality and just adapts to whoever has a stronger personality or point of view - like Natalie, girl, this is who you went crazy over???
There were also points where it just felt misogynistic and mean spirited towards the titular “fag hags”, despite Rodi’s attempts at contextualizing them and their POV with that news segment scene. With Natalie, we spent so much time in her inner world but it truly did not make sense why she went off the deep end to the extent that she did with Peter even with granting that Natalie likely had severe mental health issues.
Truly the best part of this novel was the scene where the bitchy little twink gets his comeuppance with the diaper fetish polaroid at the party.
August 22, 2024
Feeling lucky that no one on the tube yelled at me for reading this in public. Feeling mortified that nearly everyone who asked me what I was reading at the moment said, “of course you are”.
August 31, 2015
I was getting involved in a few books I didn't like and had to turn to a Robert Rodi for a guaranteed winner. I read this years ago but didn't remember much as I re-read it here.
I feel uncomfortable while reading about women who have crushes on gay men, or about gay men who marry or date women. It was so great to be able to come out, I hate seeing anyone "in" or any suggestion of it. Consequently I was reading this book at first feeling uncomfortable, almost reading through my fingers as I didn't want to look.
That's where the book gets you, it takes an already uncomfortable situation and cranks it up to 11. As the story progresses and Natalie goes to increasingly desperate lengths we see the wheels come off in a Kathy Bates in Misery kind of way that takes schadenfreude to a whole new level.
The book is a little dated already and there are a couple of missed opportunities. When Natalie's mom adopts an inner city black youth there is a little comic relief but not enough, it peters out too soon. The book could have used more comedy. There's the diaper photo but it's not quite enough, not laugh out loud kind of funny.
Overall though a winner, all of Rodi's books are great light fun.
I feel uncomfortable while reading about women who have crushes on gay men, or about gay men who marry or date women. It was so great to be able to come out, I hate seeing anyone "in" or any suggestion of it. Consequently I was reading this book at first feeling uncomfortable, almost reading through my fingers as I didn't want to look.
That's where the book gets you, it takes an already uncomfortable situation and cranks it up to 11. As the story progresses and Natalie goes to increasingly desperate lengths we see the wheels come off in a Kathy Bates in Misery kind of way that takes schadenfreude to a whole new level.
The book is a little dated already and there are a couple of missed opportunities. When Natalie's mom adopts an inner city black youth there is a little comic relief but not enough, it peters out too soon. The book could have used more comedy. There's the diaper photo but it's not quite enough, not laugh out loud kind of funny.
Overall though a winner, all of Rodi's books are great light fun.
January 1, 2010
Possibly the hardest Rodi book to book, in that it deals with what at first may sound like a comical theme but, as Rodi writes with such empathy and his characters are so well rounded, the books takes a much darker tone and I really felt Natalie's life spiralling out of control.
The ending is bittersweet and the book is still worth reading, despite being a great departure for Rodi, for any Rodi fan.
The ending is bittersweet and the book is still worth reading, despite being a great departure for Rodi, for any Rodi fan.
September 14, 2014
Took me back in history to a more carefree, trippy and zany time of my life. Had a hard time putting this book down until it was finished. I can always connect with Robert Rodi's sarcasm and wit as if he were a part of my own family.
August 11, 2007
I highly enjoyed this book as a fag hag myself. It's funny, but I feel like I must warn that it gets rather insane by the end, much like most of Rodi's books.
June 6, 2010
This book was so terrible that I had to set it on fire when I finished reading it.
October 11, 2016
Got it for free. I don't remember a lot. Darker than I wanted it to be. And more mean spirited. But, there be truth in it. I think I like Maupin's world a little bit more.
September 3, 2017
I knew zippy about this book or author when I started the book; honestly, I picked it up because it was $1 in the iBooks store, and it's hard to resist a book for $1!!
I've been in one of those weird moods where I can't find a book to hold my attention, so I figured I'd get about ten pages into this and then wander off to another book. But that didn't happen at all! I traipsed right through it, engaged from start to finish.
Usually I'm not at all a fan of books with dislikable protagonists, but I actually found myself occasionally rooting for Natalie. I mean, she was totally off the deep end for most of the book, but Rodi does a great job making her just tolerable enough that I didn't want to throw the book. And I reeeaalllly wanted to see what she'd do next. Good dramatic tension. I'm sure the book gets slammed for its general treatment of women, but eh, I enjoyed it; it's fiction; the writing is good, the story is good, I was amused. So I'm not going to go looking for the negative reviews.
I've already picked up Closet Case and Kept Boy (each also for a buck!) and will definitely read them. Rodi's writing style is easy and relatable—and mostly fun, even though he deals with some fairly heavy topics.
Also, now that I go back and look, Robert Rodi and his books are mentioned on Marshall Thornton's Gay Fiction Reading lists—so worth checking out for that reason alone!
I've been in one of those weird moods where I can't find a book to hold my attention, so I figured I'd get about ten pages into this and then wander off to another book. But that didn't happen at all! I traipsed right through it, engaged from start to finish.
Usually I'm not at all a fan of books with dislikable protagonists, but I actually found myself occasionally rooting for Natalie. I mean, she was totally off the deep end for most of the book, but Rodi does a great job making her just tolerable enough that I didn't want to throw the book. And I reeeaalllly wanted to see what she'd do next. Good dramatic tension. I'm sure the book gets slammed for its general treatment of women, but eh, I enjoyed it; it's fiction; the writing is good, the story is good, I was amused. So I'm not going to go looking for the negative reviews.
I've already picked up Closet Case and Kept Boy (each also for a buck!) and will definitely read them. Rodi's writing style is easy and relatable—and mostly fun, even though he deals with some fairly heavy topics.
Also, now that I go back and look, Robert Rodi and his books are mentioned on Marshall Thornton's Gay Fiction Reading lists—so worth checking out for that reason alone!
January 27, 2024
Although not my favorite Robert Rodi novel, this is a fun, campy story worthy of reading. Natalie Stathis is the quintessential fag hag, who will do whatever it takes to keep the gay man she loves from finding a lover and leaving her side.
Ever since her first encounter with them, she'd found gay men the liveliest, most fun-loving people she knew. They laughed the most, gossiped the most, danced the most; they were the most guilt-free people she'd ever met, the least inclined to depression, the least likely to be haunted. Whereas virtually all the slow, inconsiderate heterosexual men she ever met had paunches and bad table manners and loved to wear disfiguring clothing bearing the hideous logos of inane sports franchises. It was only in the gay community that you could find the kind of man who made a dashing, dazzling, heterosexual icon like Richard Gere look dime-a-dozen.
Ever since her first encounter with them, she'd found gay men the liveliest, most fun-loving people she knew. They laughed the most, gossiped the most, danced the most; they were the most guilt-free people she'd ever met, the least inclined to depression, the least likely to be haunted. Whereas virtually all the slow, inconsiderate heterosexual men she ever met had paunches and bad table manners and loved to wear disfiguring clothing bearing the hideous logos of inane sports franchises. It was only in the gay community that you could find the kind of man who made a dashing, dazzling, heterosexual icon like Richard Gere look dime-a-dozen.
May 8, 2024
This book is the definition of "lost the plot". A truly insane read. The beginning was cute, fun, easy, enjoyable and definitely a very '90's politically incorrect view on white gay men and their straight cis white girl friends. ...basically what I wanted from the book. Then the middle went on a tangent. So many unnecessary plot points and situations. Why are we having the one straight black man from the projects using a "hard R"? Why do we have a dirty gay cop with a poop kink? Why the Ninja Turtle mask? I understand writing a main character that people hate but damn Natalie sucks. BUT THEN the end was so incredibly wild and insane and "what the fuck am I reading?" that I simply couldn't stop reading. I wouldn't recommend reading this unless you're big bored and want something that will make you feel better about your life.
June 27, 2021
It was a fun read. A bit over the top, but come on, if you didn't get that from the title that's on you.
Of course some of the things she did seem to make me recall some situations that happened to me when I was a younger pup dealing with a few "fag hags", not sure if that term is even used anymore. After my experiences I ran as fast as I could if one tried to be friends with me.
Did some of you reviewers read the same book as me? Did you even finish til the end?
Yes, the main character doesn't exactly get what's coming to her, but she also doesn't get away scott free.
Dosen't seem like she gets to keep her friendship but after what she did I can't blame him.
But who knows, I heard the author did several novellas to catch up with characters from this book and others, so who knows lol
Of course some of the things she did seem to make me recall some situations that happened to me when I was a younger pup dealing with a few "fag hags", not sure if that term is even used anymore. After my experiences I ran as fast as I could if one tried to be friends with me.
Did some of you reviewers read the same book as me? Did you even finish til the end?
Yes, the main character doesn't exactly get what's coming to her, but she also doesn't get away scott free.
Dosen't seem like she gets to keep her friendship but after what she did I can't blame him.
But who knows, I heard the author did several novellas to catch up with characters from this book and others, so who knows lol
September 15, 2021
I went to a used book store in search for inspiration on the shelves as to what I should read next. The title of this book caught my eye so as I was reading the synopsis, an employee came up to me and said they were closing in 5 minutes so I just went ahead and bought it since it was in my hands. I had absolutely no expectations for this book but it was incredibly entertaining. Natalie is just the most hatable, likable character I've ever read about, she kept my interest the entire time. I only rated 3-stars because it didn't make an enormous impact on me and I only sped through it due to slowness at work, I probably wouldn't recommend this book to someone randomly, but I enjoyed it throughly and it was a great book to tith me over until the books I ordered online came in.
August 6, 2020
Funny and a page turner of a wacky winding path of a plot. The characters are life-like as they take you through the catty and exhilarating twists of life in gay Chicago. The point of view is from the vixen Natalie, who is unhealthily obsessed with her gay bestie, Peter. Natalie's obsession takes her to dark places and she meets many colorful characters who try to warn her but end up either fueling or abetting her anger and psychosis one way or another. Funny and dark but it will keep you up at night until you're finished.
May 30, 2019
It was very funny though I think the plot fell a bit towards the end. I mean, I was rooting for her when she started helping out Curtis and Quentin- then she kinda went psycho bitch mode. I mean, funny, but strange. A bit disappointing honestly that she didn’t get her shit together but still a good book and definitely worth the read especially when you’re in a long ass waiting room and need something to keep your spirits up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2021
A major disappointment because Rodi writes in such a snappy, witty manner -- and for the eggheads like me he even tosses off some knowing asides in the fields of philosophy and political science, among others. But having reached the end of the novel I am seriously inclined to ask of the author: So where on the doll did the fag hag touch you?
Nor does the happy ending for everyone -- including the psychotically abusive title character -- help matters any.
Nor does the happy ending for everyone -- including the psychotically abusive title character -- help matters any.
February 24, 2025
Such a strange story. You could even use this book as a genre hybrid if you do reading challenges. I was not expecting the twists and turns in this book. It's brilliant for those who love trying to work out what happens next. I highly recommend reading this book. It was so close to getting that 5th star. I'm so glad that I found this book on libby.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing us this wonderful story.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing us this wonderful story.
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April 25, 2025an almost luminous dust cover that caught my eye. this ended up being a giggle-fest that tugged on my heart strings. robert rodi nails a manipulative fiend in natalie stathis. i almost howled at natalie's tactics when meeting maurice. the way he writes black characters' dialogue felt unconvincing and at times demeaning, especially when he introduces a little girl as a sort of 'flower in the concrete' contrast.
December 28, 2017
This book is something AMAZING. I am a somewhat new reader - trying to make myself read more - and this book made me want to keep reading and reading. The story is absolutely out of this world, and as a gay man, such thing kind of scares me. This book was able to transform me into a reader, and THAT is saying something haha
March 22, 2024
quite literally this book was ridiculous. It was written in the 90s so there was a lot of controversial wording and concepts but the plot was enough to keep me engaged. I believe a lot of what kept me reading was purely how insane natalie is.
May 29, 2025
dont know why i thought a white gay from chicago would have a kind view of women. wasnt expecting much kindness per se from a book called fag hag lol but still. lacks the sharp cutting clarity yet subtle hope of chuck palanuik’s satire. guess not everyone can write fight club material. whatever
July 26, 2022
Very much in the vein of Gore Vidal, particularly Myra Breckinridge and Kalki—fast-moving, savage, and full of wild escalations.
August 30, 2023
just sounds like a girl you have personal problems with: the novel
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