Fat Kid Rules the World is a story written in the first person of an overweight teenager who is depressed and even contemplates suicide, but I did not get the feeling he was ever serious about it. He becomes friends with a high school dropout that he had heard is an excellent guitar player, who lives as a homeless person most of the time. Their relationship is unusual but meaningful, and the protagonist learns to look at the world differently and that he can find a place to fit in.I enjoyed this author’s writing style, and I liked how you learn little pieces of the background story as you go. The main character’s mother died when he was in the third grade, and it is clear to see how that still affected him. Constantly referring to himself as “Fat Kid,” he had to learn not to worry about what other people thought. As his friend told him, “Like what you like.” (p. 39) Toward the end of the story, he gains confidence and discovers that he has a purpose, and he also develops a better relationship with his father and his brother.
Review by David Dunkerton
No comments:
Post a Comment