Jemima J: A Novel

After reading the last few books by Jane Green I was a little worried to read Jemima J, scared it might be boring. It was a great story for the most part. Jemima is an overweight woman who's stuck in a job she doesn't love, does anything for her friends, has low self-esteem, and is in love with Ben who doesn't notice. Jemima decides to move on with her life after Ben leaves the paper they both work at and she's already met a replacement for Ben. Brad. They met on the internet through a chat room and quickly began to think there is something between them. Jemima, wanting to be thin, lies to Brad about her weight and is forced to lose tons of weight to look like the skinny woman in the picture she sent him.While reading about how overweight Jemima was and how hard she was on herself, I was thinking she must be very, very obese. Turns out she weighted 217 ish. Although this is overweight for Jemima's height, I felt bad for her that she made herself feel like she weighed 500 pounds and was worthless and no man would love her for who she was. She worked hard, started eating right, and lost some weight. But then like a lot of people she became caught up in wanting to be thin and started exercising more and eating less than she should have. I was a little annoyed by how quickly she lost the weight. In real life and doing what she was, weight probably wouldn't have dropped off that fast. I decided to overlook this and continue reading because I liked Jemima and wanted her to have happiness no matter how much she weighed.One thing that never changed about Jemima was the person she was. Regardless of her weight, she was still kind towards everyone despite her new looks.I was glad that she saw finally found out the truth about Brad. I predicted his behavior with regard to Jenny and was slightly pissed off that he couldn't stand up to everyone and just admit that he loved Jenny no matter how she looked. And then Jenny made me mad that she put up with the situation also.Ben was great that he didn't get caught up in looks and wasn't hooking up with woman who wanted him that were so attractive. I was kind of disappointed with him that once he realized who Jemima was and how he felt; he couldn't have felt that back when they worked at the paper together. But attraction is part of a relationship and Ben had never been overly superficial so if he loves her he'll still love her if she gains some weight.In the end I was glad Jemima got what she wanted, but she should have gotten it no matter how she looked.

I'm assuming that this book is supposed to be something of a fairy tale- Sort of Cinderella Meets Slim Fast. The point of view even changes throughout the book, from Jemima's "I's", to a third person who comments, narrarates, passes judgement, and hints at the future.I found this book to be contradictory or even hypocritical, and I don't know if there is supposed to be meaning in this. Jemima is hugely overweight and desperately wants to be thin. Ironically, all the attractive and thin people she knows are horrid, but the story doesn't seem to recognize this situation. Her best bud Geraldine is put forth as shallow and "selfish" and is only somewhat redeemed by her friendship with the fat girl. Her roommates are what are commonly known as "hootchie mamas," and the highly attractive woman in a bar who hits on Ben (Jemima's crush) is basically a loose woman herself. If the purpose of this book is that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover (a theme blatantly discussed), then it's a bit contradictory to make the fat woman the sympathetic character and all the attractive people snotty losers. It's just reverse discrimination. The other problem is that Jemima may be fat, but she has a beautiful face. Soo, does this mean that if you are fat with an *ugly* face, you are a lost cause...?The other problem with this book is (as discussed in other reviews) the obsession with exercise and restriction of food intake. The extreme efforts she goes to to get thin aren't resolved in a satisfactory way to demonstrate that one doesn't have to be extreme in being skinny in order to love oneself- there's just a little epilogue that cleans it all up in one page and it was a little dissatisfactory. I was irritated that the great conquest in Jemima's life was getting Mr. Wonderful and NOT accepting herself as evidenced by the fact that the book peaks with Mr. Wonderful falling in love with her (now that she's THIN), and not with any sort of internal growth and acceptance of herself and her issues. She doesn't even realize that the grass isn't as green on the other side. It's just frustrating. I wanted the dramatic external change to be reflected by an internal. I read carefully, looking for this message, and if it is in there, I missed it.I wouldn't be so harsh on the plot and message, but the pseudo-narrarator keeps making a big deal about how Jemima is a role model and we should strive to be like her, particularly towards the end- Yeah, I don't think so, particularly with the foolish things she does with regard to men (oh my). I do appreciate the fact that she is healthier and at least not eating 2 bacon sandwiches as a snack and she is working out instead of getting winded from climbing stairs.It's worth a read, it's got a couple of giggles in it and it's a fast read. Maybe wait till paperback, though, because this book doesn't have the Grand Message it seems to want to have.

What an absolute load of piffle. I bought this because I read some of the reviews which said how brilliant it was. Well maybe if I was 14 still in love with the idea of love. All I learned from this book was that looks are everything. You can get promoted if you are slim and attractive- if you are not then it doesn't matter if you can do the job you won't get noticed unless you lose the weight. You can only get a boyfriend and maybe even the man of your dreams if you are slim and beautiful. What a lot of lonely people there would be in the world if this was true. All the characters in the book are extremely shallow as all that matters to them is how someone looks - does someone's appearance make them a better person? Jemima was fundamentally the same person as she was when she was bigger but Ben would never have looked at her as anything other than a friend until she was a size 10 and "gorgeous". It implies that although he always loved her personality he would never have considered her as a girlfriend because she was so enormous (!). The story about Brad and Jenny was frankly ridiculous. The story of how Ben got sent to LA for work when Jemima just happened to be there also unbelievable and how he didn't recognise her in the bar too stupid to mention. I skimmed the last chapter and a half as I just couldn't bear any more and I knew what was coming anyway. She ended up a "curvy size 12". Wow. Way to boost women's self esteem.

Jemima Jones is overweight. Very overweight and she can't help but feel that her life needs a drastic change because when the going gets tough Jemima eats for comfort whether that's because she's yet again being treated like a slave by her bitchy gorgeous flatmates or because she's stuck working on the Top Tips column at the Kilburn Herald when what Jemima really wants to do is write for a glossy fashion magazine or because Ben - office hunk, and good friend - will never see her as more than just that, a friend. Jemima begins to wonder if people would treat her differently if she were to lose the weight but can Jemima reinvent herself and land the life of her dreams? And more importantly should she have to change the way she looks to get the life she wants?Jemima J is the ultimate makeover novel that will appeal to women everywhere. The reader is put in Jemima's shoes, the shoes of a larger than life lady trying to make a career for herself in fashion capitol London. Jemima shows us the prejudice and assumptions that come along with her size. Although Jemima's story is ultimately funny and light it also packs a punch about image and body confidence. Jemima J is an honest, touching, hilarious story that every girl who has ever been body conscious will relate to, nodding along with Jemima thinking "she's just like me!"Jemima is one of the loveliest, funniest heroines I've ever had the pleasure to read about. This girl has a heart of gold and I so badly wanted things to work out for her. You also can't help but fall in love with Ben just as deeply as Jemima has. He's intelligent, sweet, sexy and charming the perfect romantic hero. I also found myself really liking Geraldine Jemima's friend from work who grows on you more and more as you read the book. She really proves herself to be a brilliant friend to Jemima when she needs her most. The characters are very warm and likeable making them an absolute joy to read about.I've read a few of Jane Green's books and seem to prefer her earlier books to her newer ones. They have a much younger, funnier feel to them and this is probably my favourite of hers to date. Jemima J is chick-lit gold and is now a firm favourite of mine in the genre. This is a totally feel good book which mixes low self-esteem, addiction, wit, fate, love and friendship together creating a comforting compulsively readable book. Perfect to snuggle up with on one of those ugly duckling days it will boost your mood and your confidence. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's ever looked in the mirror and has been less than happy with what they see. 4.5 stars.

I'm a big fan of Jane Green and even though this is one of he'd earlier books, I wasn't disappointed! Love it! Especially as I can empathise with the main character in many ways..Brilliant! 5*

I really liked the story line. It had some good twists to it but the main character didn't need to loose weight. It would of been so much better if the whole idea had been about the person rather than what they look like. That being said this book was written 15 years ago so..... I hope we have learnt a bit more since then. Worth a read even if for the fact that the Internet was seen as a scary thing!

I picked up this book when it was fist published many years ago. I thought it was brilliant then and since that time I have read it every single year. I find the story motivational and it taps into my belief that if you truly aim for your best and keep your goal in mind, you might just get what you wish for. It has many levels so can have a wide readership. Truly recommend!