The premise of Amanda Filipacchi’s appealingly odd fourth novel is unveiled a few pages in, when an overweight, unattractive woman sits down in a therapist’s office. After some prodding that’s aimed at uncovering emotional pain (low self-esteem, difficult relationship with mother), the woman, Barb, reveals what really lies beneath: She strips off a grey wig, muddy brown contacts, false teeth and jellyrolls of fake fat to emerge a blond, blue-eyed goddess who’s spent two years in ugliness to see whether she can find one man who will fall in love with her despite her appearance.