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Synopsis of Fat Girl Slim(2)

By Julia L. Rick

Fat Girl Slim spans three decades and is the portrayal of an intelligent, fun-loving woman who becomes drawn into a downward spiral of greed and obsession. Her traumatic childhood experience at a boarding school and resulting substantial weight gain undermine her chances in a top broking firm, and she is determined to reinvent her body and personality into the stereotypical image of success. She reaches the top of her profession but at what price? Can she find inner strength, find the life she wants, and find love?

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 reflects the 1980s obsession with fitness and slimness. Suzanna, the main character, is reluctant to succumb to the pressures of image, but the verbal abuse she receives on a daily basis becomes to much to bear and she realises that the only way to succeed is to reinvent her body and personality into that of the stereotypical yuppie. Sheís a senior PA to the Managing Director of Capital Markets with a BSc in economics. She thinks if she can get into a broking company at any level, just to prove her worthiness, her employers will see her quality and promote her. Suzanna attends night school to further her career and participates in several Open University courses to increase her chances to achieve her ultimate goalóto become a Senior Swaps broker at one of the biggest broking firms. But sadly, no matter how hard she tries to increase her knowledge, her physical appearance is her downfall, as she finds out from her cruel, tormenting peers.

The banking world in the 1980s was very much a male-dominated environment. The Thatcher years made many people very rich, but they also became extremely greedy and selfish. Personal feelings were not in the business equation; if someone didnít like your face, you were history! Sexual harassment wasnít considered a problem, much less questioned then, it was part of the job! Women just accepted it, dealt with it in their own way, and were thankful they had been chosen to represent this prestigious company.

In Chapter 1, Suzanna tries to push her luck in trying to pursue her career as a money broker. The more she tries, the more she feels as if sheís hitting her head against a brick wall. Her determination begins to wane, apart from her diminished career. And after trying many diet plans, her fight to lose weight becomes overwhelming. Life becomes unbearable, and she feels she has no alternativeó but attempts suicide, to no avail.

Chapter 2

Suzannaís early childhood was happy and middle-class. Her parents wanted the best for her and worked hard to be able to afford the boarding fees at the most prestigious and well-known convent in the county.

At the age of eleven Suzanna arrives at her new girls school, already carrying a bit too much puppy fat and not ëposhí enough to fit in, Suzanna is bullied physically and emotionally by pupils and teachers alike. She finds her only comfort in food and uses her layers of fat as a ëprotective shellí. She realizes that this school is not good for her physically and emotionally when she accidentally discovers the schools dark secret?

After leaving school she opts to take her degree in a provincial town university away from the ëpony setí. She joins circles of friends, male and female, who enjoy her company and accept her size. She enjoys a few brief sexual encounters but is too focused on study for a serious relationship. By the time she graduates, she has regained most of earlier confidence and feels strong enough to take on the City boys.

Chapter 3

Now in the 1980s, Suzanna wakes up in a hospital bed; there are flowers and cards galore. After her suicide attempt everyone seemed to feel sorry for her. She decided there and then she is going to get in shape. Suzanna works hard at her diet and with much effort reaches a healthy balanced weight. A really nice guy named Michael; heís rather dashing, with straight, short brown hair and beautiful blue eyes, frequented the same gym as her. They start a relationship; things seem to change for the better; the world seems a better place. Finally, she gets her promotion.

Suzanna suddenly realises that her new image and beauty is getting a lot of attention, especially from the big shots of her broking firm. With that, she begins to change from a sweet, unselfish person to a bitter, twisted bitch. Revenge is all she thinks about, particularly toward those people who deliberately hurt her in the past. This is the start of a new Suzanna, one determined to get the power and recognition, which she so rightly deserves, by deception and deceit.

Chapter 4

Suzanna becomes the most headhunted broker in the city. She rubs shoulders with all the top directors of triple-A banks. She wines and dines at the most magnificent restaurants and nightclubs. The worldís her oyster. She flies all over the world and back in her company plane, meeting with company executives and discussing market evaluations, mergers and take-overs. The company directors are infatuated with her style and intellect. She finally gets her revenge on the people that made her life hell when she was fat but this point of obsession becoming addicted to power, more callous and skinny deteriorated her relationship with Michael. Michael still loves her and is concerned about her, but can no longer live with the person that she has become. Vulnerable, she falls in love with a very influential drug baron. His approach to life is awesome, and Suzanna just adores his brash yet powerful aura. Everywhere they go, people nod and bow with respect; she loves it. She also, however, takes a liking to the drugs, and after many months of abuse, she becomes sadly addicted, so much so that her addiction takes her into very shady areas. The drug baron abandons her. She is left to the mercy of vagabonds and other drug users. She overdoses!

Chapter 5

Critically ill in hospital. Her family and friends talk to her constantly to bring her round. Doctors are not sure if she will come throughóand if she does, she might be brain dead. The family decides to switch off the machine and take their chances with Suzanna.

Suzannaís heart keeps on beating. Suddenly, her eyes open and she slowly absorbs the environment. She recognizes that her mother and Michael, this wonderful handsome man, are there. Puzzled, she looks around the room, where there are lots of cards and flowers from well-wishers. Oh God! She felt so disgusted by what sheíd become. Has the endless hours in recovery made her consider the mistakes she made and regret the loss of Michael who loved her for who she was, and finds inner reserves of strength and determination to move on with her life.

As her eyes glance down at her body, she notices that her wrists are wrapped with bandages? (This cannot be, she thought?) There is something different; not quite right, her body isnít slim anymore. She is back to her normal weight. But How? Thank god, she thinks. She feels somewhat relieved and tranquil as she looks up at her friends and family. Had it all been a dream?