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Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer
"To whom the fat rolls…I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne dri
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Paperback, 400 pages
Published
May 6th 2008
by NAL
(first published May 1st 2008)
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(showing 1-30)
Memoirs By Nature Are Narcissistic
Think about it. You are the writer. The subject is you. The story is of your experiences based on the ideas generated by you. You have to spend a lot of time with yourself and like yourself enough to put it out there for the world to judge. And they DO judge!
This first person account starts out with the in-your-face notion that she's a fat beyotch, a hearty eater (bring on the butter) and a mean girl to boot. Look out soccer moms and Stepford wives, this is the ...more
Think about it. You are the writer. The subject is you. The story is of your experiences based on the ideas generated by you. You have to spend a lot of time with yourself and like yourself enough to put it out there for the world to judge. And they DO judge!
This first person account starts out with the in-your-face notion that she's a fat beyotch, a hearty eater (bring on the butter) and a mean girl to boot. Look out soccer moms and Stepford wives, this is the ...more
I wanted to like this book better, really I did.
But the author's writing style grates on me after a while and I really feel so much of this book was filler. She proposed a book about her experiences with weight loss, and then spends too much of the book talking about her book proposal. For most of the book she's failing miserably at her goals. Then in the last third of the book she finally kicks into gear. I appreciate how she makes fun of the weight loss experience, but sometimes I wanted to sh ...more
But the author's writing style grates on me after a while and I really feel so much of this book was filler. She proposed a book about her experiences with weight loss, and then spends too much of the book talking about her book proposal. For most of the book she's failing miserably at her goals. Then in the last third of the book she finally kicks into gear. I appreciate how she makes fun of the weight loss experience, but sometimes I wanted to sh ...more
I'm on page 200 of this story...it's almost 400 pages long and it's a memoir. She's STILL debating whether or not to go on a diet (she's a size 24). This book makes me hungry because she CONSTANTLY talks about food. It's an easy read and she's funny (loving the footnotes) but she's puts being a procrastinator to a whole new level. Let you know if the next 200 pages are worth the read. Right now I feel like exercising and taking a cooking class all at the same time.
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Jun 17, 2008
Bruce Henderson
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
nobody.
Recommended to Bruce by:
Book club selection -- we gave it a shot hoping for the best.
Not my normal cuppa joe, but it might prove to be worthwhile. Thus far, the book's main character, the author herself, proves to be narcissistic to the point of bombasticism. Not a good combination. On top of that, she's in a constant state of denial about herself and rationalizes differing opinions until she's focused all of her attentions back on herself. She reminds me of a character in Confederacy of Dunces, Ignatius J. Reilly.
...Okay, I finished this book a few weeks ago. I'm not the better ...more
...Okay, I finished this book a few weeks ago. I'm not the better ...more
Now this book didn't really rate a 5, but it is certainly in 4.5 territory. I loved this book. It's for all of the women who have struggled to lose weight and have been subjected to comments like "You have such a pretty face." I don't get that particular remark. I more often hear, "You in the white skirt, would you mind bending over so that I can show my Right to Life filmstrip on your butt." No, that's not true. Sometimes it's a video about how the surge has made us more protected and how the r
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Sep 21, 2008
Ashley
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
nobody
Recommended to Ashley by:
Aubrey
Shelves:
tried-to-read
I just couldn't take it any longer. This women is crazy. All she does is think about food and herself. As her boyfriend is talking she's freaking thinking about mac & cheese. Never once did I find her funny, just annoying.
I got about 6 chapters in and then decided enough was enough.
I got about 6 chapters in and then decided enough was enough.
I picked this up at the library because I enjoy funny memoirs, and who can't relate to weight loss tribulations? It was OK at first, but I soon became bored with the author's interminable, rambling anecdotes. One chapter about driving around the freeway when she's afraid to merge, while one of her friends wants to stop at every Starbucks, was particularly dull. And it went on forever. Well, humor is very hit or miss, so I don't hold it against her that I only had a couple laugh out loud moments.
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I'm pretty sure that if you're laughing out-loud 39 pages into a book, you can state, fairly accurately, that you like it...A.LOT. But, I'll let you know the rating when I'm finished...prolly in about 3 hours!
Three hours and the book is finished. You know how when you're getting ready to ride your bicycle up a hill? You get up as much optimal speed as you can and you start up the hill at a good rate, but then pedal by pedal you start slowing down until you're about 2/3 of the hill and you don't ...more
Three hours and the book is finished. You know how when you're getting ready to ride your bicycle up a hill? You get up as much optimal speed as you can and you start up the hill at a good rate, but then pedal by pedal you start slowing down until you're about 2/3 of the hill and you don't ...more
So if I didn't love Jen Lancaster from her first two books, I certainly do from this. I bought this last year (and went to my first book signing!), but as the year got later and later, I somehow got it into my head that I would wait to read it until this year started. Some of that subliminal New Year's Revolutionism, I suppose.
With the advent of 2009, I'm not only at my very biggest weight ever; I'm fully ready to do something about it. The funny thing for me about January and the gym? I hate go ...more
With the advent of 2009, I'm not only at my very biggest weight ever; I'm fully ready to do something about it. The funny thing for me about January and the gym? I hate go ...more
I picked this book up on a whim: I'm a fat woman who lost a lot of weight and then gained it back, but I wasn't looking for motivation or miserable company. I just wanted a good story. PRETTY FAT did not deliver. I've never read any of the author's other books, and now I have no desire to. Jen Lancaster, despite the blurbs on the book cover, is not wickedly funny; she is trite, condescending, small-minded, and very, very smug. The writing is dated and unimaginative, and the "humor" self-serving.
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Jan 19, 2009
Kathleen
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
anyone with a body image issue, anyone in need of a good laugh
Shelves:
my-self-help
I love Jen Lancaster. She's hysterical. Before I even looked at her photo in the back of the book I had an image of her in my head from the first sentence. She's a potty mouth extraordinaire (love it!), she has insane amounts of self-esteem (jealous!), and had me laughing at least every other page. And not just snickering - guffawing. As in, Jonathan turns around and looks at me funny and I feel like I have to read him the passage that cracked me up. She's not afraid to tell you what she really
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May 12, 2008
Karen
added it
Page before the prologue page
quote 1. that stupid weight watchers quote
Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."
quote #2. by the author
"Weight Watchers can kiss the fattest part of my ass."
I THINK THIS IS ONE DIET BOOK I AM GOING TO LOVE.
Don't you just want to stab Kirstie Ally in the eye with a fork?
Just bitch slap too cute and cuddly Valerie Bertinelli?
DIETS DON'T WORK!!
We all know it -- we've all been on at least five in our lifetime.
While Jenny Craig gets richer and Weight Watchers makes ...more
quote 1. that stupid weight watchers quote
Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."
quote #2. by the author
"Weight Watchers can kiss the fattest part of my ass."
I THINK THIS IS ONE DIET BOOK I AM GOING TO LOVE.
Don't you just want to stab Kirstie Ally in the eye with a fork?
Just bitch slap too cute and cuddly Valerie Bertinelli?
DIETS DON'T WORK!!
We all know it -- we've all been on at least five in our lifetime.
While Jenny Craig gets richer and Weight Watchers makes ...more
The usual from Jen Lancaster. It had it moments but when I am done with her books, I am mad at myself for having bought them.
OK, so I spent most of this book absolutely hating Jen Lancaster. Here is a chick who doesn't have to go to work--she stays home and writes full-time--yet she can't get her ass to the gym. If I had the opportunity to stay home and write full-time, I wouldn't be wasting all my time looking at videos of sneezing pandas on the internet--I'd be working out or doing yoga every damn morning and writing all damn afternoon. (Just in case, you know, anyone wants to fund that or anything.) So, I hated Jen
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This is NOT a feminist memoir.
Or is it?
I'm a fan of reading books on women's issues and feminism, and I generally shy away from books that attack less-empowered women, but I have to say; Jen Lancaster's bitching definitely works in her favor.
I've just finished re-reading Such a Pretty Fat, and, just like the virgin read, by the time I closed this book's cover, I felt both a vicarious giddy, ridiculous self-acceptance, and a also little smug.
Such a Pretty Fat is a memoir chronicling the author's ...more
Jul 26, 2008
Kathie H
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
Absolutely no one!
Recommended to Kathie by:
amazon.com (curse them)
The WORST book I have ever read, without exception. What a slog. It was like being tortured. The only reason I continued to read to the end is because I was completely incredulous that the book could actually get continually worse (& it did, OH how it did).
I stand in awe that Jen Lancaster could actually have gotten published. I have lost faith in American publishing if this manure could be published by any respectable publishing house.
I usually don't buy books, but I'd been recommended this ...more
I stand in awe that Jen Lancaster could actually have gotten published. I have lost faith in American publishing if this manure could be published by any respectable publishing house.
I usually don't buy books, but I'd been recommended this ...more
Absolutely every woman needs to read this book. “I can't believe anyone would voluntarily run 26 miles. Sometimes I sit on the couch cross-legged because I don't feel like walking to the bathroom.” ― Jen Lancaster. The memoir of a woman on the adventure of weight-loss, that's hilarious and brutally honest when it comes to societal, family, and personal factors that contribute to weight struggles. Jen Lancaster has a gift with words and sarcasm. This book had me laughing from start to finish. It
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I read this memoir when it first came out and loved it. Just discovered the audiobook on Scribd, so decided to listen to it on the way to work. Had to fix my makeup when I got to my parking garage because I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes.
Full review later, but
The Bottom Line
I can't recommend this book(in any format) enough. If you're a woman and have ever struggled weight loss, or you just like funny books, check it out.
Full review later, but
The Bottom Line
I can't recommend this book(in any format) enough. If you're a woman and have ever struggled weight loss, or you just like funny books, check it out.
Hard to get into with all of the footnotes. Surprised because this reads like a fictional story of a made up character - yet it is about the author, so why the foot notes? Committed to finishing it though and am hoping it gets better. Wanted a funny beach read and so far this is not it!
Some people may find her offensive - I think she's really funny and it is getting me through the diet phase I am in right now...
3 stars is a good rating from me - I would recommend this book, she is hysterical!
I would definitely read something else by her.
3 stars is a good rating from me - I would recommend this book, she is hysterical!
I would definitely read something else by her.
If you like Jen Lancaster and you're a fattie, then you'll probably love this book. If you like Jen Lancaster and you're not a fattie, you probably won't get it and you'll wonder why fat people can't just EAT LESS.
Such a Pretty Fat is a memoir written by author Jen Lancaster that documents her personal weight loss journey. I thought this book was hilarious and brutally honest when it comes to societal, family, and personal factors that contribute to weight struggles for some. I just loved this book!
My favorite thing about this book: I found it refreshing to see the writer publicly laugh at herself and the whole health-changing journey she was on. Sarcasm is my favorite type of humor and this book is full ...more
My favorite thing about this book: I found it refreshing to see the writer publicly laugh at herself and the whole health-changing journey she was on. Sarcasm is my favorite type of humor and this book is full ...more
This was the first book by Jen Lancaster I've read, and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed her caustically comedic style in either of her other books, but when used in discussion of dieting and the diet industry, it definitely worked, at least for me.
_Such a Pretty Fat_ is the story of Jen's personal quest to get healthier. Part of what makes the book so charming is that, unlike other protagonists of dieting books/memoirs, she doesn't hate herself, hate her size, or hate food. She loves and adore ...more
_Such a Pretty Fat_ is the story of Jen's personal quest to get healthier. Part of what makes the book so charming is that, unlike other protagonists of dieting books/memoirs, she doesn't hate herself, hate her size, or hate food. She loves and adore ...more
I'm gonna steal this line from another review I just read: I wanted to like this book. I really did.
And don't get me wrong, there were parts I could really relate to--starting and stopping diets, getting derailed easily, looking for the next quick fix, *knowing* how dangerous it is to be overweight but not having the motivation to do anything about it, etc.
But her writing just got on my nerves. She was a little too mean at times, recycled a lot of her jokes, and filled her margins with unnecessa ...more
And don't get me wrong, there were parts I could really relate to--starting and stopping diets, getting derailed easily, looking for the next quick fix, *knowing* how dangerous it is to be overweight but not having the motivation to do anything about it, etc.
But her writing just got on my nerves. She was a little too mean at times, recycled a lot of her jokes, and filled her margins with unnecessa ...more
Aug 31, 2008
Relyn
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
people who love light-hearted memoirs
Shelves:
memoir
Speaking of funny books and brain candy... (I just was in my review of Fearless Fourteen.)
This book qualifies as both. I admit that I read this book with some trepidation. I enjoyed her first book, Bitter Is The New Black and read it with great pleasure. I even gave it to a few friends as gifts. I was thrilled when her second book came out. What a disappointment that was! I kept thinking When are they going to grow up??? What adult drinks like that? That often?? College was over a while back, h ...more
This book qualifies as both. I admit that I read this book with some trepidation. I enjoyed her first book, Bitter Is The New Black and read it with great pleasure. I even gave it to a few friends as gifts. I was thrilled when her second book came out. What a disappointment that was! I kept thinking When are they going to grow up??? What adult drinks like that? That often?? College was over a while back, h ...more
Dec 16, 2007
Rebecca
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
diet fanatics, fiiiine looking women everywhere, those that want to slap their personal trainers
Shelves:
wickedgoodnon-fiction
Lots of women have the realization at one point in their lives that they are overweight or unhealthy. Every single one of these women also has a story about the desperate attempts to lose weight and resemble Kate Moss. Usually the commen theme in all these stories is self-loathing of fat and a vicious cycle of binging and hating. What I found so refreshing and lovely about this book is the fact that Jen Lancaster never allows herself to sink into a pit of self loathing. She will tell you herself
...more
Some extremely funny, sardonic observations in this light-hearted look at the perils of losing weight. The only thing missing is any of the true psychic pain society inflicts on people who are significantly overweight. Yes, there are plenty of hilarious, smart-ass ways to look at being fat. However, most of those who struggle with weight - women, especially - suffer deep-seated shame and anger with themselves for not being able to get a handle on what seems to be a simple issue of eating less an
...more
I really don't know why I like these books as much as I do, but I do. This one focuses somewhat on the author's quest to become more healthy through diet and exercise, but is not particularly one of those inspirational self-help type books. Instead, the author is as snarky and self-centered as ever and shares her sucesses and failures equally. I read this as a library book, but will be buying it to add to my own personal library as soon as I can.
This is the 3rd installment from Jen Lancaster into her personal life. This time she is fighting the battle of the bulge...which I think we can all relate to at some point in our lives.
This was as good as her first book. I know I wasn't as wild about her 2nd book but this one made a come back.
I still think she uses too much foul language (very heavy on the "F" word) but I would still recommend it as a good read
This was as good as her first book. I know I wasn't as wild about her 2nd book but this one made a come back.
I still think she uses too much foul language (very heavy on the "F" word) but I would still recommend it as a good read
I thought this book was a cool concept but I did not really connect to Jen as a narrator. Maybe it was because she is a lot more crass and strong willed then myself. There were points were I found her a little abrasive. But she did hit on some key points when you are losing weight and things that just get to you.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chick Lit Book Club: Jen Lancaster: 3) Such a Pretty Fat | 9 | 19 | May 01, 2010 05:53PM |
Jen Lancaster is the author of her own memoirs including: as Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such A Pretty Fat, Pretty in Plaid, My Fair Lazy, and the newest: Jeneration X.
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
More about Jen Lancaster...
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
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“I'm not lazy. I'm simply judicious about excess movement.”
—
152 likes
“Some people are destined to be deep thinkers. I am not one of those people.”
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58 likes
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