Rating:  Summary: Escapist fiction at its best! Review: This is the epitome of a fun novel, one that you can't take seriously, but at the same time, wonder "what if?" Jemima is a seriously overweight, "everyone's friend," journalist living in England. She suffers from poor self-esteem and can't get ahead because everyone judges her by her weight. When she meets a gorgeous California hunk in a chat room on the internet, she takes a little creative license with what she looks like. He falls immediately in love and insists that they meet. This prompts her to almost starve herself and work out fanatically until she sheds her weight to look like the computer enhanced picture that she sent to him. Of course, she is stunningly beautiful and attracts every man around her from this point on. Although she is in love with Ben, a former reporter on her paper who is now a nationally known news reporter on TV, she goes to Los Angeles to meet Brad. Read the book to find out what happens here, it takes a twist that you may or may not see coming. You have to take this book with a grain of salt, it's fiction for goodness sake! It's a good parable about feeling good about yourself no matter what you look like. It also proves that what looks good on the surface may not be so delectable when you dig a little deeper. I must say it's inspired me to try to lose the 15 lbs. that have been hanging on me for the last few years! This is an easy summer read, so enjoy!
Rating:  Summary: A great summer read! Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are funny and likeable. It was a very fast read and I found that I really missed Jemima J when I finished. I picked up Diary of Bridget Jone and although the genre is similar, I found that Bridget Jones was not as entertaining.
Rating:  Summary: One of the best girlie books around! Review: Jemima J is a phenomenal, cleverly written, hilariously funny novel about the need to find love, success and happiness. "Jemima Jones is overweight. About 7 stones overweight". Jemima J works in a dead end job as a journalist writing a 'Top Tips' column for the Kilburn Herald. She admires the beautiful, slim, clever Geraldine who is less talented than Jemima, but better paid. She falls in love with the gorgeous, charming work colleague, Ben, who looks upon only as a friend. Just when Jemima can't take it any more, depressed about her job, her weight and her life, she turns to the Internet. She meets Brad, a rich hunk from Los Angeles and it is at this point that Jemima J releases she needs to change. She needs to lose weight so that everyone can see her for the beautiful, successful woman that is hiding under a lack of self confidence. She goes to America to meet Brad as the 'new' Jemima, and certainly comes home with a man. But which man...? This is a MUST READ book girls. It is the best I have ever read and I am telling you once you start reading you won't be able to stop! Jane Green deserves a medal for writing this terrific book! It makes you laugh when you want to cry and all I can say is thank you Jane Green!
Rating:  Summary: Ultimately disappointing Review: "Jemima J" began well. Jemima seemed like a promising character, with flaws and good qualities. Unfortunately, the novel never really developed to its full potential and fell prey to just about every romance novel cliche around. JJ was fat, therefore ugly, friendless, without a social life and yearning for an unattainable man. She becomes obsessed with losing weight, obsessed with a guy who seems shallow (maybe it's just that his character had little development, but I doubt it), and addicted to an Internet relationship. She loses her sense of humor, and apparently her self-respect and all intelligence and goodsense as she loses weight. Automatically by losing weight she becomes desirable and sought after. All novels are ultimately a brief escape from reality. But this one takes flight of fancy too far. It reinforces unfortunate stereotypes about weight, women, happiness, and ultimately says that if you lose weight you'll be desired...even by someone who knew you when you were a better (fatter) person. I'd stick to Helen Fielding, Marian Keyes, Nick Hornsby or Isabel Wolff.
Rating:  Summary: Irresponsible and appalling Review: The one clear message of this book is that if you are overweight you will have no friends, no boyfriend, a job you hate and no life. Thanks a lot, Jane Green! Okay, I'm not fat myself, but I can see that books such as this do not help women and girls who are overweight. Crash-dieting is a health hazard, and the kind of weight loss described by Green is highly dangerous. But does Jemima get ill as a result? No; she gets beautiful, and suddenly *everyone* notices her and she gets the job she craves as well as the boyfriend she wants. Sure. And pigs might fly. What a message - that a woman can only be happy and successful when she has the figure of a Jodie Kidd! Oh, and as for the 'Internet romance,' what on earth was Green thinking? Okay, this is a novel and not reality, but even in fiction people should be aware of the dangers in going to meet someone you've only chatted to over the Net. And since Jemima sent a false photo, didn't she think Brad might have as well? I confidently expected him to be some sort of weirdo, and was amazed to find Green expected us to assume that he was a normal guy. Oh, and didn't anyone else find the narrative style profoundly annoying? Why couldn't she make up her mind whether she wanted to write a normal third-person narrative or a first-person narration from Jemima's point of view? And what did she think she was doing with those irritating second-person sections? That's enough for me; I'll know to avoid Jane Green's books in future.
Rating:  Summary: CAPTIVATING,ENTERTAINING READ Review: WHAT A CLEVERLY WRITTEN BOOK. NOT ONLY IS IT A FUN READ YET ALSO VERY TOUCHING. MOST READERS WILL IMMEDIATLEY RELATE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO THE MAIN CHARACHTER, JEMEIMA JONES. WRITTEN WITH TRUE EMOTION AND EMPATHY. WITH EACH PAGE READ YOU WILL BEGIN TO FEEL AS IF JEMIMA J. IS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF YOURS. PERHAPS EVEN A BEST FRIEND. THIS BOOK WILL BE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER READS. ENJOY!
Rating:  Summary: Not So Great Review: I was so excited to read this book, as it seemed like something I could relate to and enjoy. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Yes, I finished the book (record time = EASY reading), but I was frustrated with it all the way through. The switch from first to third person storytelling was annoying, and the writing seemed either condescending or ... does the author really think we are idiots? I guess she chose this style intentionally, but - why? Plus, I think it sends a bad message about women, men, image... believe me, I like Cinderella stories as much as the next person (probably more), but this just didn't work for me.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent Self-Confidence Booster Review: This book was excellent. The novel is written in the first person at times, and the third person at other times. It makes it more interesting because you can read about the other characters even if Jemima (the main character) isn't in that scene. Jemima Jones is a wonderfully developed character, filled with the insecurities and flaws of real women. The fact that she was able to turn her life around, even if it is fiction, really makes you feel good while you read. There was actually a lot of suspense in this book, considering that it is a chick's book about weight loss and love. Hoping that Jemima will get together with the man of her dreams really takes it out of you.
Rating:  Summary: GREAT BOOK! Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am very impressed with Jane Green. I was able to visualize the characters, emotions and surroundings thanks to Jane's mastery of the english language. If you can't actually identify with Jemima you can certainly sympathize. I found myself cheering out loud as she realized her self worth. Read this book!
Rating:  Summary: An enjoyable book... Review: Jemima Jones is overweight, underappreciated and basically unhappy. She has never had a real boyfriend, is in an unfulfilling job, and lives with two very insecure and jealous roommates. This book is about how Jemima goes from being an ugly-duckling to becoming a swan and how her life changes. She learns just how to become the woman she wants and makes it happen. I felt that although it is possible to make yourself over, she loses almost a hundred pounds in a matter of three months or so. Jemima becomes obsessed with getting that "perfect body" and nearly develops an eating disorder in the process! Is this the kind of message we want to keep sending to young women? Life isn't all about looks and how much you weigh and I think this book tries to get that message across, although at times unsuccessfully. I loved the love story in this novel and couldn't wait to finish the book to see what happens...there is even a twist at the end! All in all, a great book that makes you laugh! Just don't take it too literally!
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