What's Eating Gilbert Grape

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Summary: What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Review: What's Eating Gilbert Grape is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Gilbert who is a middle aged man stays home in little old Endora, Iowa for his mother. He has a big family and most of them left town but he stayed home to take care of his mother who is over weight and not doing well at all after the death of her husband. He also has to take care of his younger brother who is mentally challenged and his snotty little sister. This inspirers me because he fights through a lot of stuff with his life. He doesn't let many things get to him. The way Peter Hedges portrays the characters in this story are very good. He makes them come to life and seem realistic. Its not one of those fantasy books but its more of a real life kind of book. They have so many family problems that they have to fight through and they still stick together as a family and it is just one of the best books I have ever read.
It seems like in the book that one person can change the way you view life. Before Gilbert met Becky life was much calmer and not as much stuff was happening. But after he met her it got more frantic but it also seems as if he liked it better like that so maybe one thing that makes your life more difficult could be the best thing to ever happen to you.

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Summary: Satisfaction...Gilbert Grape is one of the greats!
Review: What's Eating Gilbert Grape, a book that I wouldn't have read if it wasn't for my reading class. I am glad I chose to enjoy this book. This book is strongly recommended by me to anyone who is willing to release themselves from the big city life and into an imagination of a small town boy waiting to get out. I also recommend reading this book if you have already seen the movie because there is so much more detail in this book. The movie was based on the book, so if parts of the film were unexplainable read the book for better details and descriptions of the characters and their actions. The author of this book, Peter Hedges, attended the same school that I did, so it was really neat to be reading his work. The book also requires some added thought, and I suggest annotating the book for fun. It takes a little extra time but it is well worth it for the added knowledge and insight you get into Gilbert's fascinating life. Gilbert is a 24 year old small town boy who struggles to find his place in society. Through his affair with an older woman, being a father-figure to his family, and being an unexperienced lover, Gilbert Grape has plenty of new experiences in this book. His sister, Amy is also very independent, but is forced to take care of her siblings and mother as well. Both adults work hard to support their mother who is very obese and unable to leave the house, a brother, Arnie who is mentally challenged and always finds himself in some kind of mischief, and a sister, Ellen whose young teenage horomones are racing for men. A mysterious girl comes to Eldora, Iowa and leaves all the young men drooling. Gilbert learns a lot from this girl, how to let go, how to forgive, and how to show his emotions. Through all of Gilbert's pain and happiness, he learns about life through a whole new perspective and is less eager about leaving his small hometown.