The Dieter

by Susan Sussman

Book Overview

In the tradition of Susan Isaacs' Compromising Positions, Judy Blume's Wifey and Nora Ephron's Heartburn, The Dieter is a contemporary look at love, marriage, motherhood, friendship and calories . . .... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671661248
• ISBN13: 9780671661243
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 299 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A sheer delight

Ok, I admit that this is what is scathingly called "chick lit" but, what a total joy it is. Barbara Avers watches her oldest and dearest friend, Sarajane, die of lung cancer while Sarajane's husband continues with his philandering with anything in a skirt. Sarajane had always been overweight while Barbara battled to keep her weight down with heavy smoking and with constant criticism from her husband, Franklin. As soon as Barbara gives up smoking, her weight and her craving for food increases dramatically so she joins various weight loss programs where she meets Kathlyn, a beautiful, very large black woman. They decide to partner up in an effort to bolster each other's resolve. With her carping, sarcastic and self absorbed husband encouraging their teenaged children to belittle their mother, Barbara's weight seesaws from near obesity to nearly right, but when she discovers her husband/s treachery, her revenge is swift and powerful and had me cheering her out loud. I'd defy any woman to read this story without enjoying herself hugely (except maybe for those skinny Minnies, and they don't count!)

Hilarious! A must for anyone who has tried to diet!

Barbara Avers, after her lifelong friend dies, vows to quit smoking and begins to gain weight. As her weight climbs from her starting 105 pound frame on up the scale, she tries every diet there is out there, makes a new friend, and discovers a lot about herself, her family, and her husband. Her discoveries will leave you laughing, crying, concerned, and sometimes angry. But never bored, not with Barbara! Susan Sussman writes about Barbara's journey with such humor that this book is a 10 star, can't put it down, must have addition to anyone's library.

3rd time's a charm!

I have loved this book for years. I first stumbled across it in the grocery store when I was in high school...the title called me because I was starting to feel the sting of being a fat girl...i read it again in college and shared it with a friend that time, too...for some reason I remember it as I browsed to fiction ailes of the library last week. I took it home and got reaquainted with a favorite character and a familiar story. Any woman who has ever had a weight problem or a problem with burrying her feelings should be able to relate to Barbara Marlow-Avers. There's also a hilarious chapter for anyone who's curious about sex shops but just doesn't quite have the nerve. Read this book. it is truly a delight!

I didn't want the book to end, ever.

I felt like I was losing a friend when I was finished with the book. It was such a personal and real experience.

Hysterical, touching, funny, easy to relate to- it's me!

The heroine was so funny...and touching...reading this book was like talking to a girlfriend, a really good friend. It summed up for me all of the crazy thinking we do while dealing with life, love and diets. Susan Sussman's writing is wonderfully expressed. I enjoyed it so much I'm trying to find used copies for several friends.