Fat Boy Saves World

Australian author Ian Bone's YA morality tale treats us to family melodrama at its best as the Bennett clan (dysfunctional with a capital "D") tries to find happiness after many years of internal strife. The title refers to Brian, the obese son who goes years without talking before finally saying (of all things), "I want to save the world." Susan (the sister) is the Angry Young Woman who has sat on the sidelines while her father, author Peter, made a name for himself by writing a book about this son who doesn't talk. Least important in the story is the mother, Bel, who is a patroness of the arts with little time for her children and a small role in the plot. Susan and Brian meet Todd, a street improvisational actor, and Todd turns out to be the key in unlocking Brian's silence. When Brian does talk, he mentions the importance of a "Mr. D" to saving the world. Who is the mysterious "Mr. D"? Brian's childhood stuffed animal ducky, of course. Readers who enjoy emotions and family interactions will take to this book. While the Susan vs. Dad narrative starts off as a sub-plot to the fat boy talking one, it soon emerges as the book's most important theme. Susan is angry due to neglect while, paradoxically, the family oddball has soaked up all the attention. Bone's handling of the Brian narrative arc is less satisfying. Brian and an ex-TV game show host that he "saves" get their own Community TV show, and this interesting development gets only passing treatment as Bone turns more to Susan trying to build a new relationship with Todd and rebuild a destroyed one with her dad. With shifting points of view, FAT BOY SAVES WORLD might challenge some YA reluctant readers, but will probably appeal to more advanced readers and to adults. A teenaged soap opera with a twist, this book is appropriate for all ages who are up for its demands.

To put a label on this book seems a crime, but I will try anyways. It reminded me of "Catcher in the Rye" as seen through the eyes of Tim Burton.It started out as being a very odd title, that turned into an even odder story. The charicters were very well developed, and the author expressed his views on life and the world without coming off as preaching.The really puzziling thing about "Fat Boy Saves World," is that I stole it from my library's teen section, and not the general fiction shelves. Trust me there is a lot more to get out of this book than most other teen novels. I would suggest it for any age.

Susan Bennett has been sent home from boarding school in disgrace after going one step too far and shaving her head. At home she is left to care for her older brother who the rest of her family calls Brian, but to Susan he will always be Neat. The rest of the knows Neat as the Silent Boy, so it is a huge surprise when he speaks for the first time in years. That single moment takes Susan, Neat, and their new friend Todd on a fast-paced adventure that no one seems to be able to control. An unforgettable novel.I describe this novel as unforgettable because even though the writing isn't the best I have ever read, the characters and the way they interact makes it a very interesting read. The bizarre thing is I didn't like this novel that much when I started it, but I couldn't put it down, and the character of Neat refused to go away. While I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, if you like something a little different, a book that is unique and creates its own identity - then this is the book for you. There are parts of this book that make you sit up and take notice, and there are parts of the novel when you just sit back and wonder at this boy who has become this icon for the world - and the sister who is so angry at her parents.If you have read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, or most of the Chris Crutcher books - then you should enjoy this book too.