Alternate Beauty

In the beginning, Ronnie Tremayne keeps telling herself she loves her body, while at the same time showing the discomfort and embarrassment she feels at being overweight. She also admits to being unhappy for so long it felt normal to her. Apparently in danger of losing her job because of her size, she contradicts Oprah's comment that "the key to happiness is loving yourself, and self-love comes from within" with her own belief that "The key to happiness is living in a world where fat is beautiful." And that's what Ronnie wakes up to the next day--not all at once--it takes a while for her to realize why everyone is acting in an unusual manner. But there it is--a world where fat is not only beautiful but is a state to be worked toward and hoped for. The concept of this book is original and thought-provoking. And the story becomes more so as Ronnie adjusts so well to her new world that she ends up losing her appetite. Living in a world where fat is considered beautiful, she'd been given permission to eat, something she'd been denied throughout her life by her mother and by herself. I don't want to give away the ending of this well-written, imaginative, most enjoyable book, so I'll just give a hint. On page 358, Ronnie tells a friend, "What you see is what you get. If you don't like it, well, that's not my problem."

Andrea Rains Waggener is an author who knows how to write in a way that truly allows the reader to "feel" her written words. Her books are written in an honest and thoughtful way that challenges the reader to think. Alternate Beauty is a prime example and will leave the reader with food for thought for many days to come. I cannot recommend it highly enough, especially to readers who have had weight concerns or body image issues.

So I was shopping on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and browsing overpriced books at Borders and I found this one amongst all the 20 something new romance books. I read the cover and thought (hey I am a size 28 too), its nice that there is a heroine who is plus sized, and then I read who the author was- and I realized she was a do gooder and I thought, oh this book will be formulaic.. In that regard, i was not disappointed, what I thought would happen did... However, I got drawn in.. I found that this was one of the few books that I read that understood that weight issues were not about how you eat as much as why you eat! The characterizations of how she was treated by others, how she felt about herself in life, in career and relationships was complex and interesting and almost painfully honest.. The characterization of her family was honest, humorous, perhaps a bit over the top, but still very honest. So often you read a book where someone grows a little personally and its like poof a magic fairy came and changed the whole darn world, I found this book more honest than that.. So I realize I have been marketed to.. and I bought the book (and paid 10% tax on it to boot).. but I enjoyed it.. I admit, I told several friends about it, and even cried a little when I read it.. because it made me think about a few things. In some ways, it reminded me of the Spanish Melodramas that were designed in the 80's to educate people about STD's and AIDS.(Entertaining with a lesson) While I know that this book was written with a message in mind, the story was enjoyable, the reading level is not too high (fast read) and the characters are engaging. I am giving it a 5 out of 5, because, I find myself still thinking about it a few days later.. so I guess its worth a good rating. If you want a book that has a plus sized character but does not ring as true or hit as close to home, try Inappropriate Men (one of the red dress ink books).

"Alternate Beauty" by Andrea Rains Waggener is a winning book. All those who have ever struggled with being overweight will find this book fascinating, and even those who haven't will enjoy this book. The way Ms. Waggener weaves her story is entertaing, eye opening and thought provoking. Her easy to read way of writing also makes for a wonderful reading experience. I highly recomment taking the time for this one.

Over salads that would not feed a mouse, her paper thin mother Audrey informs size 28 Ronnie Tremayne that her obesity is driving the overweight customers away from Luscious Landing Large Women's Clothing Boutique. The owner, her mom's friend Cheryl Land, expects Audrey to lose a lot of weight or lose her store manager's position. Upset that even her boyfriend Gilbert cannot help her, Ronnie overindulges in an eating binge. That night she dreams of a world where fat is beautiful. When she awakens her fantasy ahs turned out to be true. She is the centerfold of beauty with her near three hundred pound body. Ronnie attends all the galas and men want her. However, as her she finds a lust for life, she eats less. Over time the perfect 28 becomes an imperfect 10, but inside Ronnie detests what has become of her and misses her Gilbert. This fantasy romance is an insightful look at the American idealization of thinness and demonizing obesity. The story line is fun to follow as Ronnie finds her role as an ALTERNATE BEAUTY in the new world order not quite as captivating as she thought it would be; instead she learns that what is inside a person is what counts not calories. Though health concerns of someone obese or too underweight are passed over too lightly, fans will cherish Andrea Rains Waggener's intelligently insightful look at the cost to a person's happiness of the constant drumming of the never too thin ideal. Harriet Klausner