{Poll Book Tally] [Bingo] What's Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges 2 stars

[Karin]

This book was written fairly well, which is why it's two stars and not one.

This book does have humour in it, but it's not a happy book. Gilbert Grape is part of a highly dysfunctional family still suffering in their own ways since his dad was found in the basement after hanging himself, and in addition, his younger brother Arnie has special needs. They are dysfunctional because none of them has had any sort of help in handling their feelings and issues since then.

If you like really psychological, darkly funny novels about families in crisis, then you may well like this book. There is a redeeming feature to this book--a very redeeming feature, but that goes beyond the kinds of things I include in my review.

[NancyJ]

Karin wrote: "This book was written fairly well, which is why it's two stars and not one.

This book does have humour in it, but it's not a happy book. Gilbert Grape is part of a highly dysfunctional family stil..."


That’s too bad. I was interested in this one too. I liked the movie long ago. The movie was notable because of the breakout role for a young Leonardo DiCaprio. His character was developmentally delayed and he was the highlight of the film for me.

What was the redeeming feature?

[Karin]

NancyJ wrote: "Karin wrote: "This book was written fairly well, which is why it's two stars and not one.

This book does have humour in it, but it's not a happy book. Gilbert Grape is part of a highly dysfunction..."

The ending. Well, and of course Gilbert Grape is very good with his developmentally delayed brother for the most part.

[Robin P]

It was an interesting film with a young Johnny Depp and an even younger Leonardo DiCaprio.

[Karin]

Robin wrote: "It was an interesting film with a young Johnny Depp and an even younger Leonardo DiCaprio."

The film may have been better, but I think part of it is the timing of when I read it as well. I am quite sure that if this had been published when I was under 20, I'd have liked it.

[Meli]

Two stars, brutal!

I've only seen the movie, never really had the interest to read the book.
I hate reading a book after already seeing the movie because I see the actors instead of making up my own character looks and I know what is going to happen which ruins the reading experience for me (usually).

[Karin]

Meli wrote: "Two stars, brutal!

I've only seen the movie, never really had the interest to read the book.
I hate reading a book after already seeing the movie because I see the actors instead of making up my ..."

Well, I think one star is brutal :), but hearing who played the disabled brother means I can't watch the movie because he looks entirely wrong.

But of course we all vary in what we like here and even one of my daughters would give 5 stars to a book I give a 1 star to and it is an American classic, The Grapes of Wrath.

[Meli]

I rarely use 2 stars, don't think I have ever rated anything 1 star, but I reserve it for shitty writing, plagarism, not really based on dislike. If it is not my thing but it's good for what it is I will bump it up. Hate to drive down the rating of a good book because it isn't my taste.

[Karin]

Meli wrote: "I rarely use 2 stars, don't think I have ever rated anything 1 star, but I reserve it for shitty writing, plagarism, not really based on dislike. If it is not my thing but it's good for what it is ..."

Ah, that makes sense, then. I am not like that. If it's 3 stars I liked it or, once in a while, I nearly did and rounded it up from 2.5. It can be brilliantly written, but if I dislike it enough, I'll give it 1 star (1 because of the writing, 0 for how I loathe it), or I'll give it 2.