Other than the ubiquitous canon of Jennifer Weiner, most fiction features so-called normal size protagonists. Book publishing is not much better than showbiz when it comes to representation. In a nation that is only sixty percent white, with an average women’s dress size of 12, books still often reflect the Madison Avenue ideal of beauty. This may partly be because the industries are connected: to land a book deal, your odds increase if TV and movie rights are likely. Whatever the reason, the average American woman doesn’t see herself in print very often.
Kate Stayman-London kicks it up a notch this summer by not only featuring a zaftig heroine, but taking on the size representation dearth in reality TV. A former speech writer for Obama, she has written a popcorn rom-com book, destined for Netflix. Her heroine, Bea Schumacher, is a fashion blogger living in Los Angeles. Pining for her best friend Ray after an ill-advised one night stand, Bea writes a scathing blog about a reality show called Main Squeeze. In a cinematic twist, the once popular show is tanking in the ratings so the new showrunner decides to let Bea take the mike for the next season. Will she find love?
As can be expected in romantic comedies, the boat doesn’t sink in the final act. As Bea takes her bachelorette journey, Stayman-London offers some insightful commentary on fatphobia and Internet bullying and provides a sweet, albeit predictable, coupling. I don’t know if this book would have been published without the author’s high profile industry connections, but it’s decent summer froth.
Books Smitten 