Peter Hedges

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges is a 1991 Simon & Schuster publication.

This is one of those books that has now made it into the ‘classics’ category- but I’ve heard more about the movie adaptation than the novel. When I saw the book in the KU program, I decided to check it out on a whim and then, after I read it, I planned on watching the movie -which I found on one of my streaming services.

Well, I must tell you, I didn’t get what everyone else saw in this book. By the time I got to that ghastly conclusion, I knew I’d never watch the movie. I couldn’t get this one in the rearview mirror fast enough- and I’d rather just keep Gilbert Grape as a distant memory instead of tormenting myself with the visual saga of this dysfunctional family on steroids- great acting or no.

Overall, I can’t say the book was a disappointment or letdown because I only read it out of curiosity. That said, I struggled with it from the get-go and was tempted to throw in the towel on numerous occasions. I finished it- but was left scratching my head- wondering what on earth it was about this book that captivated so many people.

I could go into the cons of the story- but I don’t think I’ll spend that much of my time on a book I didn't like. You know it’s bad when I’m willing to take the abuse for my one star review.

1 star… (more)

This was a fun read because I live in the city in which it takes place and most of the places mentioned are real. It also took place in the time I grew up, so all the television shows were familiar.

Scotty Ocean turns seven. His mother leaves him and his two older sisters. Scotty tries various ways to get his mother to return to the family. Some are funny and some are embarrassing. If you are interested in a humorous book about a young boy growing up in Iowa, I would suggest The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. This is a laugh out loud that takes place in Des Moines.… (more)

5717. What's Eating Gilbert Grape, by Peter Hedges (read 9 Nov 2020) I read this book because the author was born in Iowa and I tend to read Iowa authors when I learn of them. This 1991 work of fiction tells of a weird family which lives in the fictional town of Endora, Iowa. The mother of the children is a widow (the father hung himself) who eats and has grown from a beauty as a young woman into a grossly fat woman who eats as much as the four children who live with her do combined. Gilbert Grape is the 24-year-old son who is the narrator of the book and works in a grocery store and has an adulterous relationship with a woman who taught him in school. There is a retarded 17-year-old son who is a constant source of grief for the family but much beloved nevertheless. The two oldest children live away from home but support their mother's huge food and smoking life by monthly checks. I could not admire any character in the story and thus was not really taken up by the story. I prefer at least one admirable character in a story.… (more)