Too Big To Miss

Sue Ann Jaffarian
Midnight Ink (2006)
ISBN 0738708631
Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (2/06)

It's an ordinary Sunday afternoon for Odelia Grey. An afternoon spent with her dysfunctional family means a stop at the grocery store on the way home to buy her favorite comfort food, Stouffer's Macaroni and cheese, to get the taste of her family (and her rotten date on Saturday night) out of her mouth. And then she gets the phone call.....her dear friend Sophie, a staunch supporter, mentor and banner carrier for BBW----big, beautiful women---has committed suicide. As she struggles to cope with this heartbreaking news, she has more disturbing news piled on. Not only did Sophie commit suicide, she did it in front of dozens of eyewitnesses on her adult website!!! With the emergence of more hidden facets of Sophie's life, Odelia finds it difficult to reconcile this new Sophie to the Sophie she knew and loved.

As Odelia digs deeper into Sophie's life, both past and present, she comes to the conclusion that Sophie would not, under any circumstances, kill herself. With backup help from a memorable cast of characters, Odelia sets out to clear her friend's name and in the process gains a new acceptance of herself as a fat woman in a thin society.

This book was enjoyable on so many levels. First and foremost, it is very well written. Second, it confronts the prejudice that is openly shown to fat people in today's society and gives a gentle nudge toward developing tolerance. And finally, it leaves you impatiently awaiting the next installment in the life of Odelia Patience Grey......the best new heroine to spring from the pages of a book in years.

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