06 - A Book with an Overweight Main Character Whose Story Isn't About Losing Weight

[Nadine in NY]

A book with an overweight main character whose story isn't about losing weight


As a fat person, I have some misgivings about this one. I remember last time we had a category like this, they used the word "fat" and a lot of people were offended. I wonder how this one will go over?

I'll probably find a contemporary romance to read, and I see If the Shoe Fits is on my TBR



Listopia list is Here: A book with an overweight main character whose story isn't about losing weight

[As You Wish]

If the Shoe Fits is great! I actually really enjoyed it despite hating the whole "reality dating" tv genre.

[Emma's Things to Read]

I read If the Shoe Fits last time this was a propt

[Gillian]

I loved If the Shoe Fits!

[K.L.]

I do like the fact that this prompt focuses on a story that isn't about the main character losing weight. I think a romance novel will probably work well for this one.

[Katy]

I might read a biography about Taft.

[Jennifer W]

I'm thinking along the lines of Katy and finding a person from history who was portly....
Darn! Historical research? ;)

[Sasha]

I don't normally read much contemporary romance, but for whatever reason, Zora Books Her Happy Ever After appeals to me for this.

[Conny]

For the romance readers, may I recommend Olivia Dade? All her main characters are plus-size and comfortable in their own skins.

[Laura Ruth]

Anything in the Number One Ladies Detective Agency Series Set 1-10 by Alexander McCall Smith would fit.

[Toni]

the Brown Sister trilogy would fit here. I read them this year for 3 of the 2025 prompts. they're written by Talia Hibbert. Very funny and entertaining

[Kenya]

Second the Olivia Dade recommendation, especially Spoiler Alert and Zomromcom. For other authors, One to Watch (for reality TV fans) and The Love Con (for a nerdier romance with a plus-sized female lead).

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine)]

I really recommend 2 Sisters Detective Agency. I don't know what I'm going to read yet.

[Bookworm_0413]

Kenya wrote: "Second the Olivia Dade recommendation, especially Spoiler Alert and Zomromcom. For other authors, One to Watch (for reality TV fans) and [book:The L..."

I'm going to read Zomromcom for this one!

[Jennifer]

If you’re looking for something not romance oriented I found Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series on a search. I’ve been wanting to read this series FOR YEARS. The first book is The Crossing Places. Also Winnie the Pooh is an option lol.

[Dea]

Wouldn't Dumplin' fit this prompt? I loved that book! Wonderful relationship development, and character development, all in a great story!

[Acidic Quagga]

I think this qualifies:


Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton

I'll know better once I actually read the book. If anyone knows otherwise, feel free to let me know.

[Bea]

Laura Ruth wrote: "Anything in the Number One Ladies Detective Agency Series Set 1-10 by Alexander McCall Smith would fit."

Thank you for reminding me that this series has a large woman in it. I dearly adore Precious Ramotswe. I had to look to see if there was a new book that I had not read yet...and yes.

[Audrey]

The Cocky Kingman series by Amy Award would fit here. It’s very funny and entertaining ( steamy rom com) great to read during football season too

[Karen]

Stretching category -- Piglet by Lottie Hazell - MC has had a varied weight. Great book!

Heavy by Kiese Laymon

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder - on my TBR forever - Second main character described as "zaftig".

[Ellen]

I'm going to read by Jes Baker

[Brandon]

Star Wars: Tales from Jabba's Palace is a bunch of short stories, but Jabba relates to all of them, so he could be considered the main character.

[Denise]

I think there are probably a lot of classic stories where a main character is a rich, overweight man who isn't trying to lose weight. Can anyone think of one?

[Jennifer W]

Seems like there must be someone like that in Dickens, right??

I'm not having a ton of luck with historical figures. Other than US President Taft, I've come across Winston Churchill (who tops out at 250, from what I've found, and that doesn't seem so overweight to me...?) and Ghengis Khan (and who the heck was weighing him??)

If I really get stuck, I'm going with Garfield the cat! Yes, he gets put on diets by Jon and the vet lady all the time, but *he* doesn't care about losing weight.

[Denise]

Toni wrote: "the Brown Sister trilogy would fit here. I read them this year for 3 of the 2025 prompts. they're written by Talia Hibbert. Very funny and entertaining"

I have one of those books. That may be my choice then. Thanks

[Denise]

Denise wrote: "I think there are probably a lot of classic stories where a main character is a rich, overweight man who isn't trying to lose weight. Can anyone think of one?"

It's a big one...but I've been reading War and Peace over the entire year and Pierre is always referred to as "stout" or some other euphemism about his weight

[Denise]

Nadine in NY wrote: "A book with an overweight main character whose story isn't about losing weight


As a fat person, I have some misgivings about this one. I remember last time we had a category like this, they used ..."

I asked my cousin who is 300+ pounds about it and she thought it was weird. But because of the way it's worded we think the prompt is trying to push people past stereotypes, like this year's prompt POC experiencing joy not trauma so she she's alright with it. I hope that made sense

[Theresa]

There are romances - Spoiler Alert will finally get pulled off my TBR.

[LeahS]

Clown Town, containing the character Jackson Lamb.

[Sasha]

Jennifer W wrote: "Seems like there must be someone like that in Dickens, right??"

Samuel Pickwick in The Pickwick Papers would be perfect for this. You might even be able to find an edition with the original illustrations by Robert Seymour. Seymour's widow claimed that the original inspiration for the book came from Seymour rather than Dickens, and he draws Pickwick as an adorably portly little gentleman.

[Ellie]

Jennifer W wrote: "I'm not having a ton of luck with historical figures. Other than US President Taft, I've come across Winston Churchill (who tops out ..."

The WHO classifies "overweight" as a BMI over 25. It's generally seen as a flawed scale since it doesn't take into account extra muscle mass - but for the purpose of this prompt it can make life easier! Churchill was probably obese by that scale (I don't believe he was very tall). Throughout history being overweight was a sign of wealth too, so I can imagine Genghis Khan was weightier than the average citizen. Henry VIII and Queen Victoria were quite rotund in their later years.

[Brandon]

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again has Bombur. He is in the main group of adventurers, although those who are stricter may not agree that he is a main character. His goal is treasure, not looser pants.

[Jennifer W]

Ellie wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I'm not having a ton of luck with historical figures. Other than US President Taft, I've come across Winston Churchill (who tops out ..."

The WHO classifies "overweight" as a BM..."

Ah, the height thing. My bf is a little under 250, but he's tall enough that he doesn't seem "fat". (plus, I'm probably a little biased that's he's cute! lol)
I did forget Henry VIII! That would be an easy enough one to find!

[Nadine in NY]

Denise wrote: "I think there are probably a lot of classic stories where a main character is a rich, overweight man who isn't trying to lose weight. Can anyone think of one?"



There's the Count in The Woman in White

[LeahS]

Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor

[Michele]

Too bad it has to be the main character. I'm currently reading Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy, and the narrator mentions his brother Oscar a lot and how fat he is. (Not to mention metaphorically, because he's a big FAT jerk.)

[Nadine in NY]

LeahS wrote: "Clown Town, containing the character Jackson Lamb."

thank you! I love this idea! I've read the first three books in this series and I definitely want to continue it.

[Karen]

Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen fits this prompt - Set in a Northern Irish (which side of border?) chip shop and about the daily life of the local girl who works there, I gave it 5 stars - really enjoyed the voice and construction.

[Denise]

Karen wrote: "Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen fits this prompt - Set in a Northern Irish (which side of border?) chip shop and about the daily life of the local girl who..."

Thanks Karen! I'm going to try that one.

[Sasha]

Karen wrote: "Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen fits this prompt - Set in a Northern Irish (which side of border?) chip shop and about the daily life of the local girl who..."

That will be the UK side. "Northern Ireland" is a political term to UK and Republic of Ireland speakers, not a geographical one. Also, Michelle Gallen's novels are inspired by her own childhood in Castlederg, which is on the UK side.

[Liza]

Ugh, why are we using the pathologizing O-words??? Just call us FAT

[Megan]

Really any book about Henry VIII in his later years would count lol

[♞ Pat]

I read a book a few years ago titled Fat Vampire. It was pretty funny.