Jemima J

Jemima J: A Novel About Ugly Ducklings and Swans is a 2000 novel by British author Jane Green.

Synopsis

Jemima Jones is a clever, good-hearted, but self-deprecating columnist for a small newspaper in Kilburn, London. At over two hundred pounds, she envies her slim, glamorous coworker Geraldine, and resents her two likewise slim flatmates, who frequently take advantage of her good nature while mocking her for her size. Jemima has a crush on Ben, the office hunk, but feels too embarrassed by her appearance to approach him. When her office finally gets internet access, Jemima begins visiting chatrooms and develops a long-distance relationship with a handsome gym owner named Brad from Santa Monica, California. At the same time, Ben leaves the newspaper for a television position, leaving Jemima alone with a broken heart.

To get over Ben, Jemima throws herself into her online relationship with Brad and re-invents herself as "JJ", an attractive newsreader. Her friends further the false identity by photoshopping Jemima's face onto a thin, attractive model. After seeing her photo, Brad falls head over heels for "JJ" and immediately invites Jemima to his home in California. Jemima impulsively accepts the invitation and finds herself forced to lose over one hundred pounds in three months in order to match the image of "JJ." As Jemima slims down, Geraldine takes the role of her fairy godmother, buying Jemima a whole new wardrobe, coloring her hair, and teaching her how to use make-up.

Having lost the weight, Jemima goes to California and meets Brad, who takes her to his impressive Santa Monica home. Soon, however, she begins to realize that she and Brad are incompatible in almost every way except physically. Lonely and disenchanted, Jemima distracts herself by exercising and soon becomes dangerously underweight. She quickly realizes her newfound obsession with thinness is as unhealthy as her former obesity, and comes to the conclusion that her obesity was a cover for lifelong insecurity issues that are still present even though she is now thin.

The final straw comes when Jemima, while cleaning Brad's apartment, accidentally discovers a huge stash of fat fetish pornography. She confronts Brad, who confesses that he is attracted to large women but needs a slim, conventionally attractive girlfriend in order to keep up appearances in beauty-conscious Santa Monica. Jemima, upset and horrified at the betrayal, leaves.

By happenstance, Jemima learns that Ben has become a minor celebrity and is, at that moment, on a trip to California. Jemima rushes to meet him. Ben, who has not seen Jemima since her transformation, barely recognizes her, but the two quickly realize that their feelings go far deeper than appearances. The two return to England and start a relationship. Jemima is happy, lets go of her body issues, and learns to love herself for who she is.

Reception

References

Green, Jane. Jemima J: A Novel About Ugly Ducklings and Swans. New York: Broadway Books (2000)