Fag Hag (original 1991; edition 2001)

A funny and oddly sympathetic book. In less capable hands Natalie (the titular hag) could have ended up as a one-dimensional butt of bitchy jokes. Despite her creepy, pathetic stalking, Rodi successfully conveys the sadness in her predicament.

Though well-plotted, the book stands mainly on the strength of its quirky characters, even minor ones like the corrupt gay cop or -- my favorite -- the ganster turned Objectivist rapper. ( )

Not so much mean spirited as painful, but wildly fun nonetheless. I fear I empathized with the heroine a little too much. ( )