My shift starts in an hour, and I need to get the bus. One of the girls who works there, Ellen, gets the same one, and we’re going in together. She’s a bit older than me; she has blue hair and a tattoo on her foot that reads One Fat Bitch, which I think is pretty awesome. She’s big, but she certainly isn’t fugly. She’s invited me out for a drink this Friday. I might take Amy with me, for moral support.
Another good thing about working in a supermarket is I can bring home dinner, so the cupboards are rarely empty now. I’m thinking fish pie. They do a good ready-made one, with lots of salmon in it. For me, that’s almost healthy.
See? I’m trying. And for now, that’s good enough.
Topics for Discussion
1. What experiences have exacerbated Beth’s insecurity about her weight?
2. Why does Beth get a rush out of trolling “the Beautiful People” on social media?
3. How does Amy upend Beth’s assumptions about “Beautiful People”? What problems does Amy have in her life that aren’t obvious on the surface?
4. In what ways are Beth and Brad similar? How have they responded differently to the stresses of their home life?
5. In what ways are Patrick’s comments about Beth’s weight harmful, even though Beth recognizes that he doesn’t mean them maliciously? How does Beth’s view of Patrick, and his of her, evolve over the course of the novel?
6. As she falls for Tori, Beth becomes convinced that the internet can foster genuine connections between people who haven’t met. What kinds of online communities and interactions might make this possible? What kinds of online interactions create distance between people? How does Beth walk this line in her relationship with Tori?
7. Beth comes to realize that most people haven’t figured out the secret to happy, fulfilled lives and are “just winging it.” Aside from Amy, give an example of someone who illustrates this reality for Beth.
8. On some level, Beth has known all along that her trolling is wrong. What else does she realize about her behavior after Dizzy’s crisis? What does she realize about Tori?
9. Why did Beth lie about being enrolled in university? How does this compare to her other deceptions? Do you agree or disagree with Beth’s reflection that this is “the worst thing” she has done?
10. What does Beth come to understand about her mother’s depression? How do you think it is similar to and different from Beth’s emotional state after Tori’s betrayal?
11. Why do you think “Tori” targeted Beth? Who do you think “Tori” actually is? If you were to write an epilogue from Tori’s point of view, what motivations would it reveal?
12. In what ways is Beth changing her life at the end of the novel? How do you think the choices she’s making now will affect her future?
Acknowledgments
So many people shaped this book. Thanks to my Lovely Agent (it warrants the capitals), Sandra Sawicka, who has supported me every step of the way and continues to do so every day. My wonderful editor, Amy Fitzgerald, who “got” Beth straight away. Julie Harmon for copyediting, Parisa Syed for proofreading, and Emily Harris for her wonderful cover and interior designs. Allison Hellegers of Rights People, who helped find Fugly a home with Carolrhoda Lab. My most wonderful friend Jane Colebrook, who helped me immeasurably not only by typing up the first draft but also by allowing me to talk out my ideas. The Word Cloud (now called Jericho Writers) members for their help, encouragement, and support, especially Debi Alper and Emma Darwin for their marvelous Self-Edit Your Novel course. And last but not least, my family—my husband, Grant; my daughters, Lucy and Emily; and my mum and dad, who have supported me in this little dream turned big. (See, it was all worth it in the end—I did it!!!) Oh, and Mum? Sorry for the swearing . . .
About the Author
Claire Waller is a secondary school English teacher who works with teenagers with mental health issues. She is the author of two adult horror novels, Predator X and Nine Eyes. Fugly is her first YA novel. She lives in Portsmouth, England with her family.
Fugly Page 27