I came across this book when I was searching for books with Pagan elements. It's in the young adult section of the library and only takes a couple of hours to read. The following is a review from amazon.com. I just copied and pasted it because I'm feeling lazy right now :) It was a really enjoyable book, though.
From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-Myrtle, a talented, funny, obese young woman, is unhappy with herself but feels powerless to change. Frequently shunned and ridiculed, she resorts to self-destructive behavior as a coping mechanism. She shares an apartment the summer between freshman and sophomore years in college with beautiful and sexually active Jada, who pressures her to try more traditional notions of beauty such as makeovers and dieting, which only make Myrtle feel worse. A postcard from her only high school friend, Margie, a practicing Wiccan, brings back painful memories. Taunts of being a lesbian caused the vulnerable teen to end their friendship, but Margie still tries to keep in touch with her. When Myrtle's erotic painting of Jada's boyfriend earns her the label "nympho-psycho-lesbo" from her roommate's friends, she is spurred to action. These hurtful words inspire her to paint her strongest piece yet, a self-portrait as a blue goddess in the form of the ancient stone figure, Venus of Willendorf. The artwork is purchased to hang in the Department of Women's Studies, and Myrtle takes tentative steps to reestablish her friendship with Margie. This powerful first novel is well written and thought-provoking. Teens will appreciate Myrtle's self-deprecating humor and cheer for her as she begins to realize her true strengths and like herself as she is.
Susan Riley (Farber), Greenburgh Public Library, Elmsford, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-Myrtle, a talented, funny, obese young woman, is unhappy with herself but feels powerless to change. Frequently shunned and ridiculed, she resorts to self-destructive behavior as a coping mechanism. She shares an apartment the summer between freshman and sophomore years in college with beautiful and sexually active Jada, who pressures her to try more traditional notions of beauty such as makeovers and dieting, which only make Myrtle feel worse. A postcard from her only high school friend, Margie, a practicing Wiccan, brings back painful memories. Taunts of being a lesbian caused the vulnerable teen to end their friendship, but Margie still tries to keep in touch with her. When Myrtle's erotic painting of Jada's boyfriend earns her the label "nympho-psycho-lesbo" from her roommate's friends, she is spurred to action. These hurtful words inspire her to paint her strongest piece yet, a self-portrait as a blue goddess in the form of the ancient stone figure, Venus of Willendorf. The artwork is purchased to hang in the Department of Women's Studies, and Myrtle takes tentative steps to reestablish her friendship with Margie. This powerful first novel is well written and thought-provoking. Teens will appreciate Myrtle's self-deprecating humor and cheer for her as she begins to realize her true strengths and like herself as she is.
Susan Riley (Farber), Greenburgh Public Library, Elmsford, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
