Miss Invisible

I have so enjoyed each Walker book, but I consider Miss Invisible a cut above the rest. The writing is seamless and fun. A great example of "big-girl" chic-lit or would that be "chunk-lit?" The almost thirty Fredricka 'Freddie' is plagued by other important issues including: a history of abuse from her father and stepmother who always found fault in Freddie, harassment from her boss, being ignored everywhere she goes, and a rocky love-life 'at best'. In fact, call it a non-existent love-life. But Freddie's wit and resilience shine through in spite of her lack of self-worth. When God puts Deborah into her path, Freddie's world begins to change. For the better! The writing was so good, the story so compelling, the setting so enticing, the characters so unique and real, and the situations so gripping...I could not put it down. I carried it with me everywhere, hoping I'd need to wait for roadwork or at the Dr.'s office. It was THAT good. Loved it!

This book was like a heartfelt cheering section for EVERYONE who feels invisible, unaccepted, and is struggling to find who God made them to be. Although my "issues" may be different than Freddie's, the author created a character I could completely identify with. I was delighted and inspired by taking this journey of risk, change, and growth with Freddie and her friends.

Freddie is a just your regular almost 30 something woman, who has a job she enjoys, with a boss she hates, trying to find that special guy. Oh and she's also on the bigger side which ironically makes her easy to miss. She's learned to blend in the crowd, pleasing society by eating carrot sticks in public and then going home and downing a pint of ice cream. She's learned to keep her anger inside and stay hidden. Then she meets Deborah, a caterer who gets Freddie to release her true self and become a new person. Once Freddie finds her voice, her life changes- for the better. Oh I loved loved LOVED this book! The story is excellent, the characters are great, there's so much food in the book! I could really relate to Freddie. I'm not a big girl, but neither am I a size 6 either. I felt the same way she does about how smaller girls always get the attention from society and everyone else gets ignored. And I was really glad that Freddie showed realistic reactions to those girls that wear low cut jeans and belly baring shirts. I loved that there is a character named Deborah in this book. Usually when I read a book where there is a character that shares my name she usually gets it shorten down to Debbie (ugh). Not so here, and what an awesome character Deborah was. I wish I had a friend like her in my life. I really felt for Freddie when her father kept insulting her throughout her life. It really hurt during the party when he did it to her face right in front of everyone. I'm glad that the author did not feel that this book needed to have a tidied ending where Freddie and her father magically get along. I would not have believed it if it was written that way, it would have been completely unrealistic. I just loved how real this book is. Christians do tend to be prejudiced in regards to appearance no matter what they say. I really loved this book. And I totally did not feel guilty about eating ice cream while reading it either! This is one of the best chick lit books I have ever read, Christian or secular. This is a perfect book to pass along to non Christian readers as well, it's not preachy at all, just a fun good read. If you haven't read any of Laura Jensen Walker's other books, I highly recommend reading those as well. I know I'll be anxiously awaiting her next one!

Laura Jensen Walker's MISS INVISIBLE delivers a tale of life in the plus-sized girl's lane. At once witty and moving, it appeals regardless of whether one's experience of being overweight is firsthand or secondhand by way of a friend or loved one. Bravo, Laura!

When I read the first chapter of Miss Invisible I almost put it down because the feelings Freddy was experiencing were too real and painful for me. But...I decided to keep reading and I am so glad it did. I really enjoyed the journey with Freddy. I loved the way her friend Deborah brought so much love and healing into her life. She was like Jesus with skin on to Freddy. Reading Miss Invisible allowed me to look at some of the issues behide my food cravings and process that a little more. So it was helpful as well as entertaining. I also loved Laura's other fiction books: Reconstructing Natalie, Dreaming in Black and White, and Technicolor. So glad someone is writing about real issues!