Not only are people getting fatter and fatter; they are also, according to a recent U.S.
government telephone survey, becoming more honest about what they weigh. Theaters are installing bigger seats for bigger bottoms, and other accommodations will no doubt follow suit. Does all this mean overweight has become commonplace?
At one time, a heavy heroine in a novel was considered unusual—well, a novelty. But we're seeing overweight female protagonists in fiction more and more, perhaps yet another sign that society as a whole is getting real—acknowledging that people come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps one day an overweight protagonist in a novel won't even merit a mention.
We're not there yet, however, so in the meantime we wanted to recommend some of our favorite novels with heavy heroines. They're real, sympathetic people with real-life challenges.
In these novels, sometimes weight is an issue…sometimes not. Some titles feature the overweight heroine who grapples with much more than weight and learns to set healthier limits and conduct healthier relationships. She may or may not have lost weight or even want to lose weight—that may be a byproduct of her transformation but not her primary focus (although it may be the focus of others around her who do not accept her). Her primary focus might be the challenges of mental illness in the family, abusive relationships with men, lack of respect and appreciation at work, or frustrated creativity. We root for her transformation as she tackles these issues and cheer for her as she begins to enjoy a healthier, happier life.
Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb. After suffering a heart attack, Stevie Barrett undergoes bariatric surgery and loses 170 pounds. But the problems she thought would melt away with her weight are still very much there. (In the interest of full disclosure, Cathy Lamb is a client of Evan's literary agency.)
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. Twenty-eight-year-old reporter Candace Shapiro is horrified to discover that an ex-boyfriend has written a magazine piece called "Loving a Larger Woman." She must come to terms with this betrayal.
Several other books feature large women who are okay with their weight. The following mystery series feature heroines with some extra pounds who fully accept their size and shape.
The Heather Wells mysteries by Meg Cabot: Size 12 Is Not Fat, Size 14 Is Not Fat Either, Big Boned (UK title: Size Doesn't Matter). Heather's a former pop idol who's now a size 12 and works as an assistant dorm director at a New York college.
The Josephine Fuller series by Lynne Murray: Larger Than Death, Large Target, At Large, A Ton of Trouble. Full-figured Josephine works as an undercover cop. Book one begins with this great sentence: "My name is Josephine Fuller, and I've never weighed less than 200 pounds in my adult life, not counting the chip on my shoulder."
The Scumble River mysteries by Denise Swanson. Twelve novels so far, starting with Murder of a Small-Town Honey and, most recently, Murder of a Wedding Belle. Heroine Skye Denison is a school psychologist who's comfortable with her extra pounds.
