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The Fat Girl
Jeff Lyons can't stand Ellen de Luca, the fat girl in his ceramics class. She's huge, clumsy, can't throw a pot to save her life, and stares at Jeff all the time. But he's a "nice guy" and feels terrible when Ellen overhears his hurtful remarks about her. The "crumbs of kindness" he tosses her way soon turn into advice on weight loss, college, clothes, hair . . . and, to everyone's surprise, good-looking Jeff actually dumps his pretty girlfriend to be with the fat girl! Re-creating Ellen is a labor of love, Jeff thinks. But as her pounds melt away, Jeff resents the happy, independent young woman he has unleashed. Where is the gratitude for all he's done for her? With this darkly ironic take on the classic Pygmalion tale, Marilyn Sachs offers young readers a candid portrayal of what happens when the intoxicating thrill of control is confused with love.
226 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
January 12, 2012
This was a good ass read.
These are the types of main characters we need to see more in YA fiction. Jeff is the type of character who is a dick and doesn't think he is and even in the end, he still thinks he's great.
It shows the realness of people because not everyone is going to change or grow, some people stay the same and I loved that. I hate those stories where let's say a girl is a mean girl, and throughout the book she grows and she sees how she is and realizes that it's not right. BLAH!!! so cliche and annoying. Ellen (The Fat Girl) was a great character as well and I love how she grew to stand up for herself against Jeff. I need more YA contemporary ASAP!!! I'd ask everyone who loves to read YA Contemporary to pick this up.
-R.D.
These are the types of main characters we need to see more in YA fiction. Jeff is the type of character who is a dick and doesn't think he is and even in the end, he still thinks he's great.
It shows the realness of people because not everyone is going to change or grow, some people stay the same and I loved that. I hate those stories where let's say a girl is a mean girl, and throughout the book she grows and she sees how she is and realizes that it's not right. BLAH!!! so cliche and annoying. Ellen (The Fat Girl) was a great character as well and I love how she grew to stand up for herself against Jeff. I need more YA contemporary ASAP!!! I'd ask everyone who loves to read YA Contemporary to pick this up.
-R.D.
April 21, 2014
Although many people are giving this book a bad rap, I quite enjoyed it. Before you begin to disagree, you need to hear me out. Yes, the style of writing can be inconsistent at times, but it is meant to portray the narcissism of the protagonist(?), Jeff, and to bring out his characterization.
What I found interesting was the way Jeff's characterization was brought out. I remember near the beginning of the book Jeff was annoyed that his girlfriend kept saying "poor Jeff" due to his family problems/etc and later on in the book he kept talking about his new girlfriend and saying "poor Ellen." He also becomes more and more like his mother, whom he never wanted to be, but found himself relating to her in the end when Ellen becomes self-aware of how he treats her and leaves. Him and his mother talk, saying how "they're never grateful" (referring to his recent ex girlfriend and his runaway sister) and how his desire to make Ellen happy when he cannot do the same for anyone else changes him into what he doesn't want to be in the end.
I have also read reviews that it is strange that the narrator does Ellen's makeup and dresses her, but I think people need to keep in mind that this is a retelling of Pygmallion, where a sculptor that hates women creates a perfect statue from clay and falls in love with her. If you keep in mind that the author is trying to do a modern retelling of that tale, the story is a lot more feasible.
What I found interesting was the way Jeff's characterization was brought out. I remember near the beginning of the book Jeff was annoyed that his girlfriend kept saying "poor Jeff" due to his family problems/etc and later on in the book he kept talking about his new girlfriend and saying "poor Ellen." He also becomes more and more like his mother, whom he never wanted to be, but found himself relating to her in the end when Ellen becomes self-aware of how he treats her and leaves. Him and his mother talk, saying how "they're never grateful" (referring to his recent ex girlfriend and his runaway sister) and how his desire to make Ellen happy when he cannot do the same for anyone else changes him into what he doesn't want to be in the end.
I have also read reviews that it is strange that the narrator does Ellen's makeup and dresses her, but I think people need to keep in mind that this is a retelling of Pygmallion, where a sculptor that hates women creates a perfect statue from clay and falls in love with her. If you keep in mind that the author is trying to do a modern retelling of that tale, the story is a lot more feasible.
October 16, 2011
I had so many hopes for this book. The premise - nice guy falls in love with the 'fat girl' and realizes that beauty is within - is great.
Unfortunately? I found the writing unrealistic (laughably so) and the characters obnoxious. I get it was written in the 1980's, but come on! Good writing existed then.
I had a hard time reading, the writing style was lacking, the conversations annoyingly cheesy. I understand this was aimed at young adults, but I have never in my life heard a 17 year old boy talk to his mother as politely and grammatically correct as Jeff did. (And, my sister - who read this book - agreed with me that it almost seemed as though Jeff had a very unrealistic and almost disturbing relationship with his mother.
I found Jeff fake and annoying. His 'beautiful and perfect' girlfriend, Norma to be patronizing and inconsistent. The only (even partial) saving grace was Ellen aka "The Fat Girl".
In the end? This was possibly one of the worst books I have ever read, I held on hoping it would get better - hoping there was something good. But I was disappointed with every page turn.
Unfortunately? I found the writing unrealistic (laughably so) and the characters obnoxious. I get it was written in the 1980's, but come on! Good writing existed then.
I had a hard time reading, the writing style was lacking, the conversations annoyingly cheesy. I understand this was aimed at young adults, but I have never in my life heard a 17 year old boy talk to his mother as politely and grammatically correct as Jeff did. (And, my sister - who read this book - agreed with me that it almost seemed as though Jeff had a very unrealistic and almost disturbing relationship with his mother.
I found Jeff fake and annoying. His 'beautiful and perfect' girlfriend, Norma to be patronizing and inconsistent. The only (even partial) saving grace was Ellen aka "The Fat Girl".
In the end? This was possibly one of the worst books I have ever read, I held on hoping it would get better - hoping there was something good. But I was disappointed with every page turn.
January 29, 2016
THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY.
this book isn't your typical "hot jock falls in love with chubby girl" story. This is a book about what is going on inside the mind of a controlling partner.
REVIEW WITH SPOILERS :
This is about Jeff, who is miserable in his life because he has to deal with a deeply unhappy divorced mother. His father left them and Jeff took upon him to make his forever unsatisfied mother less grimy (mission he will fail at but hope is all he got). Hence he has the role of the son, but also he stepped up and took his father's role which is not easy and not healthy.
The other thing is that Jeff feels entitled to happiness. He has good looks, good health, but he's not rich, he isn't the smartest, he isn't a football star and in fact, there is no particular field in which he does shine. This makes him unhappy because deep inside, he wants to be envied, to be looked up to, to walk head high up with pride. So his plan is to have the most beautiful girlfriend so that he can parade with her by his side.
Here comes Norma. As soon as Jeff sees her, he wants her to be his girlfriend because she's pretty enough to fill the position. But it doesn't make him as happy as he had wished : he doesn't come up first in her life (she loves clay more than she loves him), she excels at pottery and he doesn't, she's rich and he isn't, guys lurks at her even though she is HIS possession.
Adding to that, he always look over at Ellen, the fat girl. He hates her. He hates to see her overweight body, he hates it when she notices him (because he's too good for her to even look at him), he hates that she is bad at pottery, he hates that she is clumsy, he hates that she occupies space. He hates that she is weak and he actually wants to punch her in the face.
But then, one day, fat girl overhears him insulting her and he goes at her house to apologize. Here, she tells him she's going to kill herself because everyone keeps making fun of her weight.
When he hears that, he feels like he has to help her. Now they are linked together. He feels like he has a responsibility towards her and he spends time with her.
And just like that, fat girl is his new project (just like unconsciously, his mother has been a project for him) and the more time he spends with her, the more he loves -not HER- but the way she makes him feel.
She is weak and because of that, she doesn't stand up to him. She is fat and because of that, no other guy looks at her, she lacks self confidence which makes him shine in her eyes, her family loves him, she needs him as a friend, she is grateful for him to be her boyfriend, she does everything he says, she values his opinions, she doesn't outsmart him. She is his thing.
He loves to control her, not only because it gives her the control he lacks in every other aspect of his life, but also because having absolute control over her makes him feel like a God.
Note : he really doesn't love her and for him, she is still "the fat girl" with "piggy eyes". On that note, i loved how the author used "fat girl" term instead of "ellen" for a major part of the book, more so to illustrate what she is to jeff, than to irritate the reader.
This is the story of this book. A controlling guy who sees himself as a nice guy, who start a relationship with a self conscious suicidal girl because it makes him feel validated. That is, until she becomes independent and happy. So Jeff feeling pushed down his pedestal, starts resenting her and becomes an asshole to her. Fortunately, Ellen stands up to him and dumps him. (This part did felt a bit abrupt because she really was his puppet all book long but i'm still happy for her.)
So again, this is not a love story. And most importantly -and that might be shocking- there is no growth in Jeff's character. At the end of the book, as most "nice guys" do, he still thinks there was nothing wrong with him. Author didn't give him a redemption, because in real life, most "nice guys" are deluded about their flaws and still think they're always right and their last girlfriend was a stupid b*tch.
I loved this book because having read "why does he do that" a couple of months ago, i could spot right away how flawed Jeff was and i was smiling knowingly at how the author wrote in his voice and showed us how controlling and vile he was while still seeing himself as the nice guy.
What i really enjoyed is that the characters in this book (especially Jeff and ellen) have REAL flaws of CHARACTER and i'm not talking about those "i have a dark past"/"my parents are never home"/"i'm so rich i'm unhappy" type of flaws.
Ellen was hardly a main character in this book. If you want to read a book about a non confident overweight girl, you'll have to look elsewhere. Everything was about Jeff and how he thought he was amazing for helping out the fat girl he initially loathed.
I can already see the person Jeff will turn into in a few years. He'll be an abusive, controlling sociopath who will probably be violent towards his next partner. Author left hints in this book like "i wanted to shake her" and "it made me want to punch her in the face".
The question that is on my mind right now is "how much of his mother's behavior had a part in jeff's personality?". His mother was also controlling, always spitting venom, being only happy when people around her were miserable, needing obsessive love from her two children, ... and i wonder if that affected Jeff. But in the end, the blame is still on Jeff because his sister didn't replicate their mother's attitude (the sister decided to leave and go stay at their father's home).
Jeff was an unlikeable character (and many people thinking this was a YA romance novel got shocked at how mean spirited he was) but i personally liked jeff. I loved how he was written, how flawed he was, what his character's purpose was. Also, i have a friend who is literally the replica of jeff, so i have a soft spot for him.
Alright, wrapping this up. I recommend this book for teenage girls and high school classes because it can lead to interesting discussions.
this book isn't your typical "hot jock falls in love with chubby girl" story. This is a book about what is going on inside the mind of a controlling partner.
REVIEW WITH SPOILERS :
This is about Jeff, who is miserable in his life because he has to deal with a deeply unhappy divorced mother. His father left them and Jeff took upon him to make his forever unsatisfied mother less grimy (mission he will fail at but hope is all he got). Hence he has the role of the son, but also he stepped up and took his father's role which is not easy and not healthy.
The other thing is that Jeff feels entitled to happiness. He has good looks, good health, but he's not rich, he isn't the smartest, he isn't a football star and in fact, there is no particular field in which he does shine. This makes him unhappy because deep inside, he wants to be envied, to be looked up to, to walk head high up with pride. So his plan is to have the most beautiful girlfriend so that he can parade with her by his side.
Here comes Norma. As soon as Jeff sees her, he wants her to be his girlfriend because she's pretty enough to fill the position. But it doesn't make him as happy as he had wished : he doesn't come up first in her life (she loves clay more than she loves him), she excels at pottery and he doesn't, she's rich and he isn't, guys lurks at her even though she is HIS possession.
Adding to that, he always look over at Ellen, the fat girl. He hates her. He hates to see her overweight body, he hates it when she notices him (because he's too good for her to even look at him), he hates that she is bad at pottery, he hates that she is clumsy, he hates that she occupies space. He hates that she is weak and he actually wants to punch her in the face.
But then, one day, fat girl overhears him insulting her and he goes at her house to apologize. Here, she tells him she's going to kill herself because everyone keeps making fun of her weight.
When he hears that, he feels like he has to help her. Now they are linked together. He feels like he has a responsibility towards her and he spends time with her.
And just like that, fat girl is his new project (just like unconsciously, his mother has been a project for him) and the more time he spends with her, the more he loves -not HER- but the way she makes him feel.
She is weak and because of that, she doesn't stand up to him. She is fat and because of that, no other guy looks at her, she lacks self confidence which makes him shine in her eyes, her family loves him, she needs him as a friend, she is grateful for him to be her boyfriend, she does everything he says, she values his opinions, she doesn't outsmart him. She is his thing.
He loves to control her, not only because it gives her the control he lacks in every other aspect of his life, but also because having absolute control over her makes him feel like a God.
Note : he really doesn't love her and for him, she is still "the fat girl" with "piggy eyes". On that note, i loved how the author used "fat girl" term instead of "ellen" for a major part of the book, more so to illustrate what she is to jeff, than to irritate the reader.
This is the story of this book. A controlling guy who sees himself as a nice guy, who start a relationship with a self conscious suicidal girl because it makes him feel validated. That is, until she becomes independent and happy. So Jeff feeling pushed down his pedestal, starts resenting her and becomes an asshole to her. Fortunately, Ellen stands up to him and dumps him. (This part did felt a bit abrupt because she really was his puppet all book long but i'm still happy for her.)
So again, this is not a love story. And most importantly -and that might be shocking- there is no growth in Jeff's character. At the end of the book, as most "nice guys" do, he still thinks there was nothing wrong with him. Author didn't give him a redemption, because in real life, most "nice guys" are deluded about their flaws and still think they're always right and their last girlfriend was a stupid b*tch.
I loved this book because having read "why does he do that" a couple of months ago, i could spot right away how flawed Jeff was and i was smiling knowingly at how the author wrote in his voice and showed us how controlling and vile he was while still seeing himself as the nice guy.
What i really enjoyed is that the characters in this book (especially Jeff and ellen) have REAL flaws of CHARACTER and i'm not talking about those "i have a dark past"/"my parents are never home"/"i'm so rich i'm unhappy" type of flaws.
Ellen was hardly a main character in this book. If you want to read a book about a non confident overweight girl, you'll have to look elsewhere. Everything was about Jeff and how he thought he was amazing for helping out the fat girl he initially loathed.
I can already see the person Jeff will turn into in a few years. He'll be an abusive, controlling sociopath who will probably be violent towards his next partner. Author left hints in this book like "i wanted to shake her" and "it made me want to punch her in the face".
The question that is on my mind right now is "how much of his mother's behavior had a part in jeff's personality?". His mother was also controlling, always spitting venom, being only happy when people around her were miserable, needing obsessive love from her two children, ... and i wonder if that affected Jeff. But in the end, the blame is still on Jeff because his sister didn't replicate their mother's attitude (the sister decided to leave and go stay at their father's home).
Jeff was an unlikeable character (and many people thinking this was a YA romance novel got shocked at how mean spirited he was) but i personally liked jeff. I loved how he was written, how flawed he was, what his character's purpose was. Also, i have a friend who is literally the replica of jeff, so i have a soft spot for him.
Alright, wrapping this up. I recommend this book for teenage girls and high school classes because it can lead to interesting discussions.
April 13, 2021
I almost didn't want to admit that I had read this book because it was so bad. I picked this up on whim and I had an inkling it would be bad and oh boy was I right. This book is terrible with terrible writing about a terrible human being. I HATED Jeff and I didn't care what happened to him. Like this dude could take a flying leap off a tall building and I wouldn't care. I was extremely happy when his pet project broke up with him. Ugh. I was a fat girl and I am now a fat woman and all Jeff did was reinforce something I learned pretty early as a fat girl: don't trust conventionally good-looking guys. The only redeeming quality about this book is the "Fat Girl" develops some self respect. Don't read this book because it is not some nice Disney story where the guy changes and learns that beauty is only skin deep. This story is about an asshole who stays an asshole and gets mad when can't control his pet anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2009
i wanted to slap the people all the way through it!!!!!!
January 10, 2010
The Fat Girl by Marilyn Sachs is a quick read that captures several interesting themes. This book made me think about the abuse of power, as well as the delicate balance between offering a helping hand and turning that into a stranglehold. Great book that you can finish in a couple of hours.
Jeff Lyons is your typical handsome senior with the gorgeous girlfriend. During his first semester, he decides to take a ceramics class; which is where he comes across Ellen De Luca. She’s obese, clumsy, shy, friendless; and Jeff can’t stand her. One day, when Ellen (the “fat girl”) overhears Jeff say something cruel about her, he takes it upon himself to apologize to her for his hurtful words and then work toward changing her life. He begins to mold her into a confident teenager, helps her lose weight, discover some interests and re-make her appearance. Jeff dumps his gorgeous girlfriend, so he can spend more time with Ellen, his new project. When Ellen discovers her self-worth, Jeff begins to resent her transformation and the happy, independent, confident girl he feels he molded.
I read some reviews coming into this book and several critics felt Jeff was a negative/awful character. I don’t feel that way at all, after paying close attention to what was happening around him, I came to understand him and feel compassion for him. I feel Jeff tried to control Ellen, her looks, her demeanor, her choices because his own life was out of control. I didn’t feel he acted the way he did toward Ellen because he wanted to be mean, he just wanted some semblance of control in his life where none existed. Doesn't make what he did or said right, but there was a reason behind it that wasn't simply cruelty on his part. I wish the author would have given some evidence of Jeff learning from his experience and growing from it, but that did not happen. Great book that could spark some interesting debate.
Jeff Lyons is your typical handsome senior with the gorgeous girlfriend. During his first semester, he decides to take a ceramics class; which is where he comes across Ellen De Luca. She’s obese, clumsy, shy, friendless; and Jeff can’t stand her. One day, when Ellen (the “fat girl”) overhears Jeff say something cruel about her, he takes it upon himself to apologize to her for his hurtful words and then work toward changing her life. He begins to mold her into a confident teenager, helps her lose weight, discover some interests and re-make her appearance. Jeff dumps his gorgeous girlfriend, so he can spend more time with Ellen, his new project. When Ellen discovers her self-worth, Jeff begins to resent her transformation and the happy, independent, confident girl he feels he molded.
I read some reviews coming into this book and several critics felt Jeff was a negative/awful character. I don’t feel that way at all, after paying close attention to what was happening around him, I came to understand him and feel compassion for him. I feel Jeff tried to control Ellen, her looks, her demeanor, her choices because his own life was out of control. I didn’t feel he acted the way he did toward Ellen because he wanted to be mean, he just wanted some semblance of control in his life where none existed. Doesn't make what he did or said right, but there was a reason behind it that wasn't simply cruelty on his part. I wish the author would have given some evidence of Jeff learning from his experience and growing from it, but that did not happen. Great book that could spark some interesting debate.
August 13, 2016
Well, this book made me think and ponder..while in the end i was rooting for what happened in the book but when i first started the book, i had a very different expectation..to sum it up in a few words, 17 year old, jeff joins ceramic class to avoid chemistry. there, he meets a beautiful girl norma, who soon becomes his gf, he also meets Ellen aka the fat girl..who is clumsy,who waddles,who has no friends in class and who doesn't have an artistic bone in her body and in a total disaster in making pots..one day jeff says something bad about her which she hears..jeff who is a nice guy feels bad about it..and though he absolutely abhors her he tries to make up for his insulting remarks by being nice to her..pretty soon he starts dishing out about her weight and how she could loose it, about her dress sense and he even teaches her how to do her makeup.. after spending too much time one kiss later, jeff is suddenly in so much love with her..he breaks up with norma so he could be with the fat girl...who btw is loosing fat at a super speed..and in no time emerges out of her shy closet as a lively vibrant attractive girl...but now jeff starts to be the one who is not so confident any more..he starts to control every aspect of her life..after all he made her..how can she even forget that for even 1 sec?? Thus jeff continues to pressurize her to wear the dresses he chose, the lipstick,liner,etc of his choice..wear makeup because it makes her look good..inspite of her saying that she doesn't want to wear makeup.. and this reaches a boiling point when she wears a dress and make up of her own choosing instead of the golden dress jeff told her to wear..of course nice guy that he is, jeff wastes no time in telling her how fat,common and ugly she looks and thus ellen finally comes to her sense,that jeff doesn't love her at all..he loved that he created an illusion of the fat girl..and breaks up with him..the end..obviously, the story doesn't only revolve around them..other characters were also introduced..mostly whose stories went nowhere..anyway..somewhere in the story there is a strong message..i just cant figure out what it it??
So i came out with some conclusions of my own
1. Jeff is a horrible character and he never saw the error of his ways,he remained horrible.
2. Nora, though at first i thought she was going to end up being a bitchy mean girl..but she remained a good girl..on one hand this was good cause it was not cliche...on the hand her character became too condescending to me..
3. You CAN loose enormous amount of weight within a span of mere weeks..
4. You have to loose weight, have to dress up,have to do makeup if you want someone to be friendly to you..
5. I didn't get why jeff loathed elen in the beginning of the book..elen was fat, as per jeff she was fat so she was ugly.period.also she was shy, had zero dress sense etc...so as per jeff you have to be perfect barbie material??
Here in lies my difficulty in understanding..i am not getting why the author created a hero like jeff..granted there are several jeff like characters in the real world..did the author wanted us to see that? Or the fact that jeff falling for the fat girl is what she wanted us to see? Or maybe she wanted us to know that ellen was a selfish character who after changing dumps jeff..or may be the author wanted us to know that jeffs controlling attitude,finally got the better of his love life..so i am totally confused here..to me jeff was invested in elen because he created the new ellen..and when that ellen began to grow up personally jeff wanted the real ellen,the fat girl back..why? As per the book it was because he loved her..to me this was not love.it seemed..jeff loved the look he created..which she followed to the tee..not because inspite of being fat, he has fallen for her..it was like a kindness,he bestowed in her and she should be forever thankful to him..and if ix here that i hated jeff with a passion.if i were ellen, i would have broken up with him as soon as he dished weighing tips..so overall though this book has quite a different theme,i couldnot give it more than 2. Star.
So i came out with some conclusions of my own
1. Jeff is a horrible character and he never saw the error of his ways,he remained horrible.
2. Nora, though at first i thought she was going to end up being a bitchy mean girl..but she remained a good girl..on one hand this was good cause it was not cliche...on the hand her character became too condescending to me..
3. You CAN loose enormous amount of weight within a span of mere weeks..
4. You have to loose weight, have to dress up,have to do makeup if you want someone to be friendly to you..
5. I didn't get why jeff loathed elen in the beginning of the book..elen was fat, as per jeff she was fat so she was ugly.period.also she was shy, had zero dress sense etc...so as per jeff you have to be perfect barbie material??
Here in lies my difficulty in understanding..i am not getting why the author created a hero like jeff..granted there are several jeff like characters in the real world..did the author wanted us to see that? Or the fact that jeff falling for the fat girl is what she wanted us to see? Or maybe she wanted us to know that ellen was a selfish character who after changing dumps jeff..or may be the author wanted us to know that jeffs controlling attitude,finally got the better of his love life..so i am totally confused here..to me jeff was invested in elen because he created the new ellen..and when that ellen began to grow up personally jeff wanted the real ellen,the fat girl back..why? As per the book it was because he loved her..to me this was not love.it seemed..jeff loved the look he created..which she followed to the tee..not because inspite of being fat, he has fallen for her..it was like a kindness,he bestowed in her and she should be forever thankful to him..and if ix here that i hated jeff with a passion.if i were ellen, i would have broken up with him as soon as he dished weighing tips..so overall though this book has quite a different theme,i couldnot give it more than 2. Star.
September 24, 2015
This kind of situation in which someone controls another person and thinks of it as love is incredibly common, and Marilyn Sachs has done a wonderful job of portraying what can happen. Those who are enraged by Jeff might want to take a close look at themselves, because that which upsets us in others is often what we don't accept in ourselves.
I know someone who only really feels excited about younger people (that he finds on the internet), especially ones who have rejecting parents and not enough money. He buys them piles of junk food and promises everything and anything if they will only let him control their daily lives to the utmost, though that if only part is unspoken. It's frightening to see. He gets upset if the young person leaves the room for too long. He gets angry, upset, and afraid if there are any moments unaccounted for in the young person's schedule. This book helped me see that situation more clearly. And yes, my friend is married. She welcomes the distraction that these young people provide, because he loves to control her by yelling at her and upsetting her.
I also have a close "friend" who literally screams at me to do what he wants or else go home. I have chosen to go home when this happens, because I sure don't need to encourage any more of that - but there's already been plenty of that kind of control before the level of screaming came along.
These control issues, as I say, are very, very important, and very common. We must not turn away in disgust just because they are unpleasant. They are very real. This story may seem to be an extreme example, but it frankly isn't. These issues are played out in relationships for years - for decades - and we are better off being aware of them than looking away and pretending that they aren't there.
You'll also want to notice that Jeff's mother controls him. It's not all about Jeff. Jeff is reacting to what he's grown up with.
I know someone who only really feels excited about younger people (that he finds on the internet), especially ones who have rejecting parents and not enough money. He buys them piles of junk food and promises everything and anything if they will only let him control their daily lives to the utmost, though that if only part is unspoken. It's frightening to see. He gets upset if the young person leaves the room for too long. He gets angry, upset, and afraid if there are any moments unaccounted for in the young person's schedule. This book helped me see that situation more clearly. And yes, my friend is married. She welcomes the distraction that these young people provide, because he loves to control her by yelling at her and upsetting her.
I also have a close "friend" who literally screams at me to do what he wants or else go home. I have chosen to go home when this happens, because I sure don't need to encourage any more of that - but there's already been plenty of that kind of control before the level of screaming came along.
These control issues, as I say, are very, very important, and very common. We must not turn away in disgust just because they are unpleasant. They are very real. This story may seem to be an extreme example, but it frankly isn't. These issues are played out in relationships for years - for decades - and we are better off being aware of them than looking away and pretending that they aren't there.
You'll also want to notice that Jeff's mother controls him. It's not all about Jeff. Jeff is reacting to what he's grown up with.
February 8, 2011
"Her name was Ellen De Luca. But I never thought about her name until the day I made her cry."
Jeff Lyons couldn't be happier. He had the prettiest girfriend and was liked in his school. However, paranoid about the glances his way from the fat girl, Ellen De Luca, in his ceramics class ends with Jeff's mean comments that Ellen overhears. Always considered the "nice guy," Jeff feels that he should over ride his rude ways with kindness. Eventually his kindess turns into advice for weight loss, college, clothes, hair...and pretty soon Jeff dumps his beautiful girlfriend to be with the fat girl! "But as her pounds melt away, Jeff resents the happy, independent young woman he has unleashed." Will his own beautiful creation become too much for Jeff to handle?
The book itself was okay. Although the ideas in the book have the potential to be related to young adult problems, the book does not do a good job at portraying these problems in a meaningful way. The end sums up the book perfectly when Ellen, the "fat girl", finally realizes why Jeff built a strong relationship with her. It is then that a reader may or may not be able to relate to the problem at hand.
However,as uninteresting as the story may seem to me, the book is teachable. Character development is crucial in this book for the main characters. The book is also abstract with many of the emotions of the characters in the book. It is not particularly clear what each character is feeling, and it could lead into a class discussions of tone and mood. The setting of each place also encourages mood as well.
In the back of the book, class discussion questions are offered, providing more opportunities to teach the book to a class.
Jeff Lyons couldn't be happier. He had the prettiest girfriend and was liked in his school. However, paranoid about the glances his way from the fat girl, Ellen De Luca, in his ceramics class ends with Jeff's mean comments that Ellen overhears. Always considered the "nice guy," Jeff feels that he should over ride his rude ways with kindness. Eventually his kindess turns into advice for weight loss, college, clothes, hair...and pretty soon Jeff dumps his beautiful girlfriend to be with the fat girl! "But as her pounds melt away, Jeff resents the happy, independent young woman he has unleashed." Will his own beautiful creation become too much for Jeff to handle?
The book itself was okay. Although the ideas in the book have the potential to be related to young adult problems, the book does not do a good job at portraying these problems in a meaningful way. The end sums up the book perfectly when Ellen, the "fat girl", finally realizes why Jeff built a strong relationship with her. It is then that a reader may or may not be able to relate to the problem at hand.
However,as uninteresting as the story may seem to me, the book is teachable. Character development is crucial in this book for the main characters. The book is also abstract with many of the emotions of the characters in the book. It is not particularly clear what each character is feeling, and it could lead into a class discussions of tone and mood. The setting of each place also encourages mood as well.
In the back of the book, class discussion questions are offered, providing more opportunities to teach the book to a class.
September 10, 2023
Wow... Just wow. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the POV of a teenage boy trying to "save" his overweight classmate will just make you doubt humanity as a whole a bit. I guess it's very realistic though and people like that run around in the real world. I'm still not sure what to think about a book about a very toxic relationship from the POV of the toxic one, even if you get a glimpse of why Jeff does what he does and brings a whole set of issues to the table himself. I'm just very glad Ellen leaves his dumb ass at the end, good for her!
What I find very interesting, is that this book was first published in 1984, never would have thought. It feels more modern than that. I think for nearly 40 years ago, the author did a good job talking about a subject that is still very much relevant today.
What I find very interesting, is that this book was first published in 1984, never would have thought. It feels more modern than that. I think for nearly 40 years ago, the author did a good job talking about a subject that is still very much relevant today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2019
an intriguing look into a seriously fucked up dude’s thought process. jeff is an absolute asshole and yet thinks of himself as a benevolent hero, which makes for a highly entertaining read. it’s just a shame it didn’t end in the fat girl killing him.
content warnings for fatphobia, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and mistreatment of mental illness.
content warnings for fatphobia, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and mistreatment of mental illness.
May 9, 2021
If you’ve ever wanted a book about a completely disgusting and unlikable protagonist who needs to be punched in the face, look no further than this guy.
It’s not so much I hate read, as a well written train wreck you can’t look away from. It’s definitely darker than most of this authors books, but a very good read.
It’s not so much I hate read, as a well written train wreck you can’t look away from. It’s definitely darker than most of this authors books, but a very good read.
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April 30, 2008This book, was... how do you say, inspiring... it made me happy, and sad, and angry, it was a real emotion started...
July 22, 2021
It startet really good but after 20% I was bored out my mind
June 17, 2019
I remember really liking this as a teenager.
As an adult, there are many undertones that resonated a lot more.
I found Jeffs controlling manner quite disturbing- how he told her how to dress, what to study, every aspect of her life he enjoyed directing.
Though the backstory of why this was so was explained ( he liked being the centre of someone's attention and love, as his parents were divorced and his mother depressed), it was still creepy to read.
I remember just enjoying the 'makeover ' aspect of it but this stands up to being re-read as an adult, and picking up on the adult themes.
It was published in 1984,so the language/phrases are somewhat dated, but all in all, a good, though uncomfortable, read
As an adult, there are many undertones that resonated a lot more.
I found Jeffs controlling manner quite disturbing- how he told her how to dress, what to study, every aspect of her life he enjoyed directing.
Though the backstory of why this was so was explained ( he liked being the centre of someone's attention and love, as his parents were divorced and his mother depressed), it was still creepy to read.
I remember just enjoying the 'makeover ' aspect of it but this stands up to being re-read as an adult, and picking up on the adult themes.
It was published in 1984,so the language/phrases are somewhat dated, but all in all, a good, though uncomfortable, read
December 16, 2024
I first read this when I was a teenager, before I knew what a 'nice guy' was, and I've always wondered if it aged well. I don't think some of the people reviewing it really 'get' it, because we're not supposed to like the boyfriend. He's a product of his mother and is actually a pretty pathetic character.
April 9, 2023
The descriptions in this book were just so cruel. And I really don't get the ending, the characters were so unlovable and listening to jeff rant was exhausting.
March 22, 2015
*disclaimer: I use the phrase 'fat girls' throughout this review because quite honestly I found it appalling for the author to continue using it from the beginning of the book to the end. I emphasize my distaste for this book.
This book gets a suck-worthy 1 as a rating. I would give it less, but sadly, Goodreads does not have a lower rating. This is a character driven plot- I'll mention lack of conflict later. It would have been better if it were told from the perspective of the fat girl and not the guy who hated the wobbly arms, polyester pant suits, and piggy eyes of the fat girl. It would have been better as an ugly duckling transformation story- the kind Hollywood loves to turn into a YA movie, But it's not, and I don't think I'll forgive the author for turning it to an explanation of how a future serial killer chooses his victim type. His revulsion of the fat girl makes it seem as if some juice head from a gym wrote the book who obviously hates fat chicks. This is not a transformation story, but a dark monologue of a mentally unstable future sociopath. If it were the story of the birth of the psychopathy of a future serial killer, the plot might have been more interesting - it would have also changed the genre.
Jeff, the main character, is unlikeable from the first chapter. Good-looking, conniving, lady-killing, arrogant, and sullen- (all good traits for a serial killer) - the story begins with him talking his way out of a difficult chem class and into a ceramics class where he meets a golden girl whose slight faults (glaze under her fingernails) he seems to be able to get past. The two begin dating, but simultaneously he begins an obsession with the fat girl. He is disgusted by her and describes her in ways that made me throw up in my mouth (just a little bit). With any character driven plot, you want the character to learn, grow, and change for the better. That is not the case- Jeff becomes a bigger douche bag as the story goes on. He ingratiates himself into the fat girl's life and begins to control her. It's weird- really psychotically weird. As she loses weight, he becomes meaner to her-, more controlling, and subversive- you can practically hear him whispering- don't lose weight so I can continue to manipulate you, tell you how to dress in fat lady clothes, and tell you how to do your makeup.
With that being said, as I read more, hoped to see Jeff gain some compassion, to become a better human, but no- he becomes more obsessive in trying to control her/own her ( warning: the sequel might become the story of how Jeff becomes a serial killer who targets fat girls he tries to control, but when they lose the weight and grow a backbone, he kills them).
We realize about 2/3 of the way through that Jeff's mom obviously struggles with depression and is hospitalized when she decides to commit suicide. Through her hospitalization you see Jeff becoming more of a head case and more controlling of the fat girl. So at this point you begin wondering when will his big breakthrough happen? When will he realize that he is the same as his mom- cutting, controlling, nagging, mean-spirited, always 'looking for a fight' kind of person? The kind of person who is mean- spirited and drives everyone else who could care in the opposite direction? ( now I'm thinking Norman Bates)
Well, you'll wait for a long time- the fat girl wishes up and dumps Jeff when he ruins her prom experience and he ends up consoled by no one other than his cray cray mother who tells him he's so super.
Jeff learns nothing; he does not grow or change. He does not learn any lesson, have an epiphany, or even stop to reconsider his stats as a giant d-bag because quite honestly, he doesn't seem to think he did anything wrong.
And then you think to yourself, wait, what was the conflict in this story? Was there one? Jeff vs his abhorrence of fat girls? Jeff vs fat girls? Jeff vs the demons in his head who urge him to be horrible fat girls? I just don't get it.
This book gets a suck-worthy 1 as a rating. I would give it less, but sadly, Goodreads does not have a lower rating. This is a character driven plot- I'll mention lack of conflict later. It would have been better if it were told from the perspective of the fat girl and not the guy who hated the wobbly arms, polyester pant suits, and piggy eyes of the fat girl. It would have been better as an ugly duckling transformation story- the kind Hollywood loves to turn into a YA movie, But it's not, and I don't think I'll forgive the author for turning it to an explanation of how a future serial killer chooses his victim type. His revulsion of the fat girl makes it seem as if some juice head from a gym wrote the book who obviously hates fat chicks. This is not a transformation story, but a dark monologue of a mentally unstable future sociopath. If it were the story of the birth of the psychopathy of a future serial killer, the plot might have been more interesting - it would have also changed the genre.
Jeff, the main character, is unlikeable from the first chapter. Good-looking, conniving, lady-killing, arrogant, and sullen- (all good traits for a serial killer) - the story begins with him talking his way out of a difficult chem class and into a ceramics class where he meets a golden girl whose slight faults (glaze under her fingernails) he seems to be able to get past. The two begin dating, but simultaneously he begins an obsession with the fat girl. He is disgusted by her and describes her in ways that made me throw up in my mouth (just a little bit). With any character driven plot, you want the character to learn, grow, and change for the better. That is not the case- Jeff becomes a bigger douche bag as the story goes on. He ingratiates himself into the fat girl's life and begins to control her. It's weird- really psychotically weird. As she loses weight, he becomes meaner to her-, more controlling, and subversive- you can practically hear him whispering- don't lose weight so I can continue to manipulate you, tell you how to dress in fat lady clothes, and tell you how to do your makeup.
With that being said, as I read more, hoped to see Jeff gain some compassion, to become a better human, but no- he becomes more obsessive in trying to control her/own her ( warning: the sequel might become the story of how Jeff becomes a serial killer who targets fat girls he tries to control, but when they lose the weight and grow a backbone, he kills them).
We realize about 2/3 of the way through that Jeff's mom obviously struggles with depression and is hospitalized when she decides to commit suicide. Through her hospitalization you see Jeff becoming more of a head case and more controlling of the fat girl. So at this point you begin wondering when will his big breakthrough happen? When will he realize that he is the same as his mom- cutting, controlling, nagging, mean-spirited, always 'looking for a fight' kind of person? The kind of person who is mean- spirited and drives everyone else who could care in the opposite direction? ( now I'm thinking Norman Bates)
Well, you'll wait for a long time- the fat girl wishes up and dumps Jeff when he ruins her prom experience and he ends up consoled by no one other than his cray cray mother who tells him he's so super.
Jeff learns nothing; he does not grow or change. He does not learn any lesson, have an epiphany, or even stop to reconsider his stats as a giant d-bag because quite honestly, he doesn't seem to think he did anything wrong.
And then you think to yourself, wait, what was the conflict in this story? Was there one? Jeff vs his abhorrence of fat girls? Jeff vs fat girls? Jeff vs the demons in his head who urge him to be horrible fat girls? I just don't get it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2011
I don’t know even know how to start this review. This book sure was different. It wasn’t what I expected at all. And this, this is a good thing.
The story is about Jeff Lyons, a high school senior who wants to transfer from chemistry class to ceramics’ because he’s not that great of a student (doesn’t have the best grades) and being in ceramics class will be less demanding and that way he can go to college. There he meets Ellen De Luca, or “the fat girl” like he calls her. She’s twice his width, clumsy and super bad at ceramics. He can’t stand her and it doesn’t help that she’s always looking at him and that bothers him.
In that class he also meets Norma Jerkins, who’s blonde, beautiful and has a talent with clay. They’re both good looking and it’s no surprise they become a couple. But one day in class when Jeff makes a comment on Ellen’s lacking skills in ceramics and she hears him and ends up crying; that’s the turning point for him. He tries to be nicer to her and when she confesses a secret, he wants to help her more than ever. And so starts the transformation from fat girl to Ellen.
I really liked this book and the summary caught my attention right away. I thought this was going to be a cute love story about how the guy falls in love with the underdog and live happily ever after; I was so wrong. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.
Jeff is a good guy and cares about his family, specially his mom since his dad left him and his sister years ago. His sister, Wanda, who’s a teenager has her own issues and they play as a second plot to the story. He and his mom sometimes don’t have the best communication, but that doesn’t take out the fact that they both care about each other.
So, when things aren’t going good at home, it seems like his escape is Ellen.
Like the nice guy everyone says he is, he tries helping her come out of her shell. He helps her find a hobby, think about college, and care about her personal image. He even helps her with the make-up and clothes she should wear. That part felt kind of weird because he’s a guy, you know? But it all makes sense in the end.
At first, all this looks like good intentions from his part and they probably were but not for the right reasons. It doesn’t take long for it to become uncomfortable. He becomes sort of obsessed with her and her only. Now that Ellen is finding her place and losing weight, he doesn’t want her to be independent. He tries to mold her his way and what he thinks is right for her, but the thing is that it looks almost caring. It confuses you. You don’t know what to think of him. I got mad at him. But at the same time he doesn’t come off as a bad boy. Do you know what I mean?
One thing I didn’t know was that this book was originally published in 1984 and it’s on its third printing. Again, I’m glad I picked this book up. It was really different. Even though its been years since this book has been out, you should definitely pick up a copy and experience it yourself. I haven’t read a contemporary like this one before.
The story is about Jeff Lyons, a high school senior who wants to transfer from chemistry class to ceramics’ because he’s not that great of a student (doesn’t have the best grades) and being in ceramics class will be less demanding and that way he can go to college. There he meets Ellen De Luca, or “the fat girl” like he calls her. She’s twice his width, clumsy and super bad at ceramics. He can’t stand her and it doesn’t help that she’s always looking at him and that bothers him.
In that class he also meets Norma Jerkins, who’s blonde, beautiful and has a talent with clay. They’re both good looking and it’s no surprise they become a couple. But one day in class when Jeff makes a comment on Ellen’s lacking skills in ceramics and she hears him and ends up crying; that’s the turning point for him. He tries to be nicer to her and when she confesses a secret, he wants to help her more than ever. And so starts the transformation from fat girl to Ellen.
I really liked this book and the summary caught my attention right away. I thought this was going to be a cute love story about how the guy falls in love with the underdog and live happily ever after; I was so wrong. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.
Jeff is a good guy and cares about his family, specially his mom since his dad left him and his sister years ago. His sister, Wanda, who’s a teenager has her own issues and they play as a second plot to the story. He and his mom sometimes don’t have the best communication, but that doesn’t take out the fact that they both care about each other.
So, when things aren’t going good at home, it seems like his escape is Ellen.
Like the nice guy everyone says he is, he tries helping her come out of her shell. He helps her find a hobby, think about college, and care about her personal image. He even helps her with the make-up and clothes she should wear. That part felt kind of weird because he’s a guy, you know? But it all makes sense in the end.
At first, all this looks like good intentions from his part and they probably were but not for the right reasons. It doesn’t take long for it to become uncomfortable. He becomes sort of obsessed with her and her only. Now that Ellen is finding her place and losing weight, he doesn’t want her to be independent. He tries to mold her his way and what he thinks is right for her, but the thing is that it looks almost caring. It confuses you. You don’t know what to think of him. I got mad at him. But at the same time he doesn’t come off as a bad boy. Do you know what I mean?
One thing I didn’t know was that this book was originally published in 1984 and it’s on its third printing. Again, I’m glad I picked this book up. It was really different. Even though its been years since this book has been out, you should definitely pick up a copy and experience it yourself. I haven’t read a contemporary like this one before.
September 29, 2008
The Fat Girl by Marilyn Sachs starts with a boy named Jeff who didn’t want Mr. Wasserman’s class, and ends with a broken heart. Jeff joined ceramics class to avoid Mr. Wasserman’s class, and fell in love with Norma, an amazing ceramicist. They would always hang out, and they really cared about one another. Jeff never thought that anything could come between them until Ellen, the Fat Girl, came along. Ellen was not good at ceramics, walking, dressing or anything else. Jeff made rude comments about her, and one day she overheard him, which lead her to want to kill herself. At that point, Jeff regreted everything he had said about her and tried to change her with weight loss, clothes, hair and walking. The more time he spent with her, the more he cared for her. Eventually, he dumps Norma for Ellen. Jeff thinks he can control Ellen, but while her pounds melt away she starts to feel more independent and doesn’t need Jeff as much as before. Jeff can’t believe it, but Ellen can’t stand Jeff telling her what to do, and she breaks up with him.
The Fat Girl has many meanings but the main issue is loneliness. Jeff thought if he could
control Ellen, and she was dependent on him, he would feel wanted. Ellen thought that since Jeff was there for her, she could be loved and do whatever she wanted. Jeff worried that Ellen might leave him, as his father had left his mother, if she got too independent. All Ellen wanted to do was be a normal girl in a normal body. Jeff wanted to feel like he was doing something for Ellen. It turns out her was really helping Ellen for himself.
The Fat Girl has many meanings but the main issue is loneliness. Jeff thought if he could
control Ellen, and she was dependent on him, he would feel wanted. Ellen thought that since Jeff was there for her, she could be loved and do whatever she wanted. Jeff worried that Ellen might leave him, as his father had left his mother, if she got too independent. All Ellen wanted to do was be a normal girl in a normal body. Jeff wanted to feel like he was doing something for Ellen. It turns out her was really helping Ellen for himself.
April 25, 2009
According to the back cover, this book is intended to be an exploration of power and the various problems that emerge when one person has power over another, but oddly, I didn't really see it that way.
The plot: A handsome, popular young man (Jeff) falls for a social outcast (Ellen, who is of course, fat.) He dumps his pretty, popular girlfriend and sets about improving the fat girl's life, giving her a makeover and encouraging her to lose weight and boosting her confidence. I think the author intended for us to dislike the narrator because of the power he had over her, but I didn't. I saw him as being just as unhappy and needy as Ellen, desperate for a relationship where he wouldn't be left behind. His mother is one of the most disturbing parental figures I've ever encountered, and I had nothing but sympathy for him for his home life.
I have some quibbles: Ellen is described as being hugely obese, "disgustingly" fat, with rolls and extra chins and all the fat-person cliches, but it turns out that she's a mere 200 pounds. She's also described as being tall, so 200 pounds doesn't fit with her descriptions. I was also unconvinced by the resolution to her story, which struck me as highly unlikely.
I'd like to read more about Jeff, a complex and unusual character. I finished the book hoping that he's able to find a way to leave his mother (both physically and otherwise) and live his own life. Unfortunately I doubt a sequel is forthcoming, as Ms. Sachs sees her character in a much darker light than I do.
The plot: A handsome, popular young man (Jeff) falls for a social outcast (Ellen, who is of course, fat.) He dumps his pretty, popular girlfriend and sets about improving the fat girl's life, giving her a makeover and encouraging her to lose weight and boosting her confidence. I think the author intended for us to dislike the narrator because of the power he had over her, but I didn't. I saw him as being just as unhappy and needy as Ellen, desperate for a relationship where he wouldn't be left behind. His mother is one of the most disturbing parental figures I've ever encountered, and I had nothing but sympathy for him for his home life.
I have some quibbles: Ellen is described as being hugely obese, "disgustingly" fat, with rolls and extra chins and all the fat-person cliches, but it turns out that she's a mere 200 pounds. She's also described as being tall, so 200 pounds doesn't fit with her descriptions. I was also unconvinced by the resolution to her story, which struck me as highly unlikely.
I'd like to read more about Jeff, a complex and unusual character. I finished the book hoping that he's able to find a way to leave his mother (both physically and otherwise) and live his own life. Unfortunately I doubt a sequel is forthcoming, as Ms. Sachs sees her character in a much darker light than I do.
September 29, 2010
The Fat Girl wasn't what I expected it to be. I had a difficult time understanding Jeff and his motivation. For about the first third of the book, he kept referring to Ellen as "The Fat Girl", even to her face because he couldn't remember her name. He had gone to school with Ellen for years and even had classes with her, how could he not know her name? His inner monologues were consumed with so much disgust for Ellen but I wasn't convinced as to why he was so revolted by her. In an attempt to establish some reasons for his contempt for Ellen, we get a glimpse of Jeff's home life. Jeff's relationship with his mother was conflicted because she was so unhappy and every conversation resulted in a fight. This lack of power or control and rejection he felt from his mother was transferred into the relationship between Jeff and Ellen. He began to tell her what she should eat, how to exercise, what she should wear, and who should she be friends with.
I think the biggest problem I had with the story was that Jeff actions were so matter of fact. There could have been more character development to help better understand why Jeff choose Ellen to control. I thought it was easy to understand why Ellen was easily persuaded by Jeff since she had always been the outcast and was craving attention from anyone, no matter how destructive it was.
I think the biggest problem I had with the story was that Jeff actions were so matter of fact. There could have been more character development to help better understand why Jeff choose Ellen to control. I thought it was easy to understand why Ellen was easily persuaded by Jeff since she had always been the outcast and was craving attention from anyone, no matter how destructive it was.
August 17, 2017
This is the first book I've ever read in which I hated the protagonist. I despised him, and hated the way in which he viewed 'the fat girl'. Under the delusion that he was 'a nice guy', Jeff Lyons chased after the fat girl in his ceramics class, a girl in which he didn't even know the name of, after she overheard him say some incredibly cruel things about her. The fat girl, Ellen as he later on learns, tells him that she wants to kill herself, causing Jeff to start giving her advice - what to wear, how to think, how to walk. This eventually leads Jeff to feel God-like, even going as far as saying "I was turning her into a human being." This kind of thinking is revolting to me. Was Ellen not a human being? Did her obsession with eating somehow make her incapable of being a person? This idea infuriated me, but also intrigued me. While I liked almost none of the characters, the idea behind this book makes it so interesting. The experience was new; I didn't exactly enjoy the story, but I enjoyed the way I reacted to it.
July 6, 2010
I thought the premise of this book was an interesting one, but the story came to absolutely no resolution whatsoever. There were disturbing issues in this book which weren't addressed at all and should at least have been touched upon. For example, Jeff was obsessive and very controlling of Ellen. I would have liked for the author to explore more of why he acted this way and then the consequences of his actions. The way he acted made me think he was going to turn into a really disturbed person. Not only that, but the way his mother acted left me with an icky feeling. I suppose that was the point, but if this issues were developed further I feel the book would have lived up to its potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2012
wow! what a read. Once I started this I stayed up to finish it because, I had to find out how everything turned out. As you're reading this it's strange to see some things from Jeffs point of view but, also kind of weirdly addicting. This was such a great read it was nicely paced and the storyline is great. It quickly goes from how Jeff totally hates Ellen to how he is dating her. He starts making so many decisions for her. I just really enjoyed this book the author did a great job. I would rate this a 5 out of 5.
March 25, 2013
I did understand the Fat Girl/ Ellen de Luca on her main goal. I am overweight myself and the cruelties in life still touches me. And I am not immune to it.
The inspiration, the boy sparked, was good at first, yet the relationship they had was unbalanced. His hunger for attention, and being right to the eyes of the people around him, especially to Ellen did them both no good. Controlling someone is not equal to truly loving someone. And in the end, he was fated to be left behind by the girl he ones despised, controlled, then loved.
The inspiration, the boy sparked, was good at first, yet the relationship they had was unbalanced. His hunger for attention, and being right to the eyes of the people around him, especially to Ellen did them both no good. Controlling someone is not equal to truly loving someone. And in the end, he was fated to be left behind by the girl he ones despised, controlled, then loved.
July 15, 2009
I've read reviews that called this book creepy. Yeah, a little bit, but in that massively interesting kind of way. I'm a borderline plus size, so it wasn't too hard to imagine myself as the fat girl, even though the story was told from the guy's point of view. Modern Pygmalion is right!
Overall, I really liked it. If you're looking for a completely happy ending, you won't find it here, but there's definitely a lesson to be learned.
Overall, I really liked it. If you're looking for a completely happy ending, you won't find it here, but there's definitely a lesson to be learned.
November 11, 2011
Strange damn book. Teen guy hates the school fatty. Then he gets a little obsessed with her, then a lot obsessed. He is compelled to dress her, do her make up and hair. He dresses her in flowing fabrics of opulent color....makes her into a "goddess" not a girlfriend. Then she's so happy she loses weight and can dress normal and he's disgusted with her again. Not the typical teen angst story...more like a funhouse My Fair Lady with a strong unresolved homosexual subtext.
October 22, 2013
I don't know.. What to say, about this book. This book have a very strange style of writing. I'm confused by it.
Sure, the idea of this book is intriguing, handsome guy falling for fat girl isn't that easy to find that's why I had high expectations to this one. But.. Let's just say, I don't think it brings good lesson, at least to me. I don't understand and I don't really like it.
Disappointing.
Sure, the idea of this book is intriguing, handsome guy falling for fat girl isn't that easy to find that's why I had high expectations to this one. But.. Let's just say, I don't think it brings good lesson, at least to me. I don't understand and I don't really like it.
Disappointing.
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