So, my problem turns out to be related to this bug: https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=655002
The /desktop/gnome/interface/monospace_font_name gconf key was set to a font that I no longer had on my system, and so evolution fell back to using a variable font. ** Bug watch added: GNOME Bug Tracker #655002 https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=655002 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Desktop Bugs, which is subscribed to evolution in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/793580 Title: no way to set fixed-width font for reading emails To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/evolution/+bug/793580/+subscriptions -- desktop-bugs mailing list desktop-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/desktop-bugs