Something's Wrong with your Scale [Hardcover]

Van Whitfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1999

Van Whitfield's first novel, Beeperless Remote, originally published in paperback in 1996, was an underground sensation. Following its successful hardcover publication the following year, this Blackboard and Emerge bestseller placed Van Whitfield among the ranks of a cadre of young up-and-coming African-American male writers such as Omar Tyree and Eric Jerome Dickey. Now, in Something'S Wrong With Your Scale, Whitfield exercises his comedic flair in a universal tale of two people who meet and fall in love at a weight-loss center.

Meet Sonny Walker, a thirty-something-Mr. Nice Guy who's found companionship and comfort with Marsha. The only problem is that he's become too comfortable. Weighing seventy-five pounds more than when the courtship first began, the newly food-obsessed Sonny just can't stay away from Marsha's marvelous pie, even in the middle of their breakup conversation.

Determined to slim down and get his girlfriend back, Sonny joins the FutraSystem weight-loss center and meets potential love interest Kayla, as well as a host of other colorful characters. In a heartwarming tale that is alternately hilarious, wise, and ultimately self-affirming, Whitfield has created a thoroughly delicious and engaging novel sure to be enjoyed by those who have waged the battle of the bulge, or know someone who has.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the author of the Blackboard bestseller Beeperless Remote comes a lighthearted tale of self-discovery and weight loss. Overweight African-American Sonny "Chubbs" Walker is in serious denial about his food obsession and his portly new proportions. He's a sweet-natured, down-to-earth wanna-be Buppie, who's just been dumped by his girlfriend after putting on more than 75 pounds. In hopes of winning back his lady and getting a promotion from his current embarrassing position as "loose balls" section manager at Sports Authority, Sonny decides to join FutraSystems weight loss center, where he develops a friendship with fellow dieter Kayla Jennings, a sassy and successful entrepreneur. Sonny is attracted to Kayla, but his deluded ego just can't accept the fact that she's a "big girl," and his buddies, Chet and E, prove themselves to be shallow, wise-cracking goofballs as they advise Sonny not to date Kayla. Sonny grapples with his buddies' opinions and gradually comes to terms with some of the real issues around losing weight: health, feeling good about oneself, and loving someone for who they are. Weight discrimination is a strong and humorously illuminated theme, as Kayla and Sonny are derided by waiters in restaurants, saleswomen in plus-size clothing stores, co-workers, bosses and even each other. Whitfield's hip-hop narrative style places us squarely within Sonny's world, and issues of self-esteem and consumerism are reflected with a very '90s glut of name brand and media references. Rife with the obvious "fat jokes" and an uplifting message about finding happiness in neither food nor fitness alone, this book doesn't take itself too seriously, and its good-natured tone makes for an entertaining, if fluffy, feel-good romance.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sonny Walker, a nice, hard-working African American, is overweight. Very overweight. His lady friend has broken up with him, unable to accept his rotund appearance any longer. Heartbroken and fed up with the difficulties of being large, Sonny goes to a weight-loss center and signs up for a program of bland food, meetings, and counseling. There he meets the lovely Kayla, who but for her abundant outward appearance could be someone in whom he might take a romantic interest. Kayla turns out to be better for Sonny than he'd ever expected. Whitfield, author of Beeperless Remote (Pines One, 1997), a Blackboard best seller, details the emotions of the overweight with a light, humorous touch. The second half of the story seems rushed, mentioning events and characters that have nothing to do with the main plot, but overall this is a cute book about a difficult problem. Recommended for large libraries seeking solid leisure reading about African Americans.
-?Shirley Gibson Coleman, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (January 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385489358
• ISBN-13: 978-0385489355
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,343,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing's Wrong With THIS Scale - Delicious!!, October 7, 1999

By 

Pete (Lincoln, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Something's Wrong with your Scale (Hardcover)

Loved this book. LOVED IT! I see that Mr. Whitfield is now writing for a TV show (Grown Ups with Jaleel "Urkel" White) and that show is on par with his book. I can't wait for the movie. Queen Latifah would make a great Kayla!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Laughed Until I Cried!!!, May 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Something's Wrong with your Scale (Hardcover)

As a full figured woman struggling with my own weight issues and the prejudice that goes along with it, I thoroughly enjoyed this book that caught my eye and attention from the first paragraph. The scene in Leon's, the relationship with KJ and the mail box scam were my favorites. I was reading on the train when KJ's character was introduced. I unsuccessfully tried to contain the laughter while tears were running down my face and eventually gave up. I laughed so loud and hard that people around me started laughing and in turn wanted to know what I was reading!!! I have then passed the book around and told everyone I know to read it. I respect the way Van took a sensitive subject that needed to be addressed and presented it in a way that all can emphathize with. I also enjoyed the way Van developed Kayla and Sonny's relationship. The way the relationship grew and evolved was very realistic. I also wanted to note that there are many "Kayla's" out there - Beautiful full figured women who are together and have it "going on". I can't wait to read "Beeperless" and look forward to more of Van's books. (P.S. - I really feel a movie should be made from this book).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What do you get when you cross COMEDY and ROMANCE..., January 23, 2000

By 

"cynsmile" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Something's Wrong with your Scale (Hardcover)

...you get a romantic comedy written by Van Whitfield. From page one, you don't know whether to cry or laugh so be prepared to laugh until you cry.

Mr. Whitfield takes a subject that many people are very sensitive about and sheds new light on it. We can either change or accept ourselves the way we are.

Hopefully, others will learn an important lesson from this book also, which is let's not judge from the outside, but from the inside. For many tried to judge Kayla (strong female character), but they misjudged her, with all her confidence and strength.

A good read