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Fruit
Peter Paddington is 13, overweight, the subject of his classmates’ ridicule, and the victim of too many bad movie-of-the-week storylines. When Peter’s nipples begin speaking to him one day and inform him of their diabolical plan to expose his secret desires to the world, Peter finds himself cornered in a world that seems to have no tolerance for difference.
Peter’s only solace is “The Bedtime Movies” — perfect-world fantasies that lull him to sleep every night. But when the lines between Peter’s fantasy world and his reality begin to blur, no one is safe from the depths of Peter’s imagination — especially Peter himself.
Peter’s only solace is “The Bedtime Movies” — perfect-world fantasies that lull him to sleep every night. But when the lines between Peter’s fantasy world and his reality begin to blur, no one is safe from the depths of Peter’s imagination — especially Peter himself.
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
24 people are currently reading
1661 people want to read
About the author
Brian Francis
4 books105 followersBrian Francis's non-fiction book, Missed Connections: A Memoir in Letters Never Sent, was a finalist for the 2022 Trillium Book Award. The Toronto Star called it “thoughtful, funny, poignant, insightful and honest.”
His previous novel, Break in Case of Emergency, was a finalist for the 2019 Governor General’s Literary Awards. Apple Books called it a “knockout” and The Globe and Mail said it “beautifully explores issues around mental health and suicide.”
His second novel, Natural Order, was selected by the Toronto Star, Kobo and Georgia Straight as a Best Book of 2011.
His first novel, Fruit, was a 2009 Canada Reads finalist and is an Amazon and 49th Shelf “100 Canadian Books to Read in a Lifetime” title.
He writes a monthly writing advice column, Ask the Agony Editor, for Quill & Quire magazine and is a regular contributor to CBC Radio's The Next Chapter.
His previous novel, Break in Case of Emergency, was a finalist for the 2019 Governor General’s Literary Awards. Apple Books called it a “knockout” and The Globe and Mail said it “beautifully explores issues around mental health and suicide.”
His second novel, Natural Order, was selected by the Toronto Star, Kobo and Georgia Straight as a Best Book of 2011.
His first novel, Fruit, was a 2009 Canada Reads finalist and is an Amazon and 49th Shelf “100 Canadian Books to Read in a Lifetime” title.
He writes a monthly writing advice column, Ask the Agony Editor, for Quill & Quire magazine and is a regular contributor to CBC Radio's The Next Chapter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
May 13, 2022
When I was growing up in small town Canada, "fruit" was label slapped on men and boys who were seen as being different, and if a man was "fruity" he was suspect.
Peter Paddington, in this wonderful novel, is finding the world hard to understand — and even his own body is acting mysteriously.
I’ve enjoyed re-reading this book over the years. Even though I've read it a couple of times before, there are still "lol" elements. I also appreciate that it does not have a sappy, sentimental ending, but remains in the realm of the completely believable.
Oh, Peter Paddington, where are you now? It gets better, you know.
Peter Paddington, in this wonderful novel, is finding the world hard to understand — and even his own body is acting mysteriously.
I’ve enjoyed re-reading this book over the years. Even though I've read it a couple of times before, there are still "lol" elements. I also appreciate that it does not have a sappy, sentimental ending, but remains in the realm of the completely believable.
Oh, Peter Paddington, where are you now? It gets better, you know.
February 16, 2009
Simply called "Fruit" in Canada by Brian Francis.
I started reading the book enjoying it,its funny,sad,nostalgic content although I found that when I got to the middle of the book, I had to give it a rest,as the feelings expressed about being and feeling different,from other boys, brought back unpleasant memories of my childhood.
Peter is focused more on his weight, especially his nipples, but the need to avoid bullies, nasty comments etc. at any cost is frightening. Peter certainly had a wonderful imagination in order to cope wether, it was his nipples and the various funny ways of taming them, or the unique escape via "The Bedtime Movies", loved the descriptions, and the role Peter played in them.
As a Gay Man now my 70th year I could not help but think about how courageous Brian is to write in this manner, since I well recall the 50-60 etc, the fear of having your sexual orientation revealed could be devastating. Then I remember that thank god times have changed, well for most people.
Peter's family life was unique and certainly whacky his one Sister working for Peoples, telling him never to come into the store, while she was there, Sarnia wow, his Dear Mother having difficulty in deciding which restaurant to go to, as well the hairs Peter would put on his desk to see if his Mother looked in his drawers, and finding them broken started leaving notes for her to find.
Mr Hanlan, I was hoping that some relationship might have developed out of this crush on him, just to make Peter feel wanted.......
Adored Daniela, her Italian background with her family restaurant,her parents described well, I could hear their accents, her attempt at becoming # 1 in womens contest, Peters loyalty to her.
I read it again a few days later, and really got the feel of the characters,and found it witty, caring, in how Peter dealt with growing pains,by using his imagination as an escape, and in many ways being loyal to friends or relatives.
I cannot believe I missed reading this book earlier I highly recommend this book to anyone.
I started reading the book enjoying it,its funny,sad,nostalgic content although I found that when I got to the middle of the book, I had to give it a rest,as the feelings expressed about being and feeling different,from other boys, brought back unpleasant memories of my childhood.
Peter is focused more on his weight, especially his nipples, but the need to avoid bullies, nasty comments etc. at any cost is frightening. Peter certainly had a wonderful imagination in order to cope wether, it was his nipples and the various funny ways of taming them, or the unique escape via "The Bedtime Movies", loved the descriptions, and the role Peter played in them.
As a Gay Man now my 70th year I could not help but think about how courageous Brian is to write in this manner, since I well recall the 50-60 etc, the fear of having your sexual orientation revealed could be devastating. Then I remember that thank god times have changed, well for most people.
Peter's family life was unique and certainly whacky his one Sister working for Peoples, telling him never to come into the store, while she was there, Sarnia wow, his Dear Mother having difficulty in deciding which restaurant to go to, as well the hairs Peter would put on his desk to see if his Mother looked in his drawers, and finding them broken started leaving notes for her to find.
Mr Hanlan, I was hoping that some relationship might have developed out of this crush on him, just to make Peter feel wanted.......
Adored Daniela, her Italian background with her family restaurant,her parents described well, I could hear their accents, her attempt at becoming # 1 in womens contest, Peters loyalty to her.
I read it again a few days later, and really got the feel of the characters,and found it witty, caring, in how Peter dealt with growing pains,by using his imagination as an escape, and in many ways being loyal to friends or relatives.
I cannot believe I missed reading this book earlier I highly recommend this book to anyone.
September 1, 2020
This book was so much fun. I loved Pete in all his denial. Oh and the Canadiana, lol, very familiar to someone my age. Makes me smile to think of it.
March 11, 2009
4 Stars
Passionately defended by Jen Sookfong Lee (End of East), Fruit made it to the final two in CBC’s 2009 Canada Reads. If you missed this exciting week, and/or know little about Fruit by Brian Francis, I can say unequivocally that is is it a delightful read, and at no time inauthentic.
Written in the first person, this novel, set in the early 1980’s, makes us privy to Peter Paddington’s immediate thoughts, most especially the fantasy world he inhabits: his cherry-sized nipples, which pop out and talk to him, despite his attempts to shut them up with masking tape; the telepathic messages he sends to people; the bedtime “movies” he creates to lull himself to sleep.
An overweight 13 year-old Peter is ridiculed at school, especially by the “Bangers”. He spends his recess breaks as a library assistant, and eats lunch at home with his hormonal mother.
Peter would love to make his dad happy by participating in sports and making friends, but mild-mannered Dad is unwilling to accept Mom’s insistance that there isn’t anything wrong with their boy. Yet, it is Dad who signs the papers so that Peter can take Home Ec instead of Shop.
Then there is neighbour Daniela, an unattractive girl who wets the bed, swears an awful lot, and wants to be a beauty queen. Peter comes to realize that he isn’t any more socially acceptable than she is. And while Peter doesn’t appear to realize he is gay -- despite his dressing up to perform as Olivia Newton John, or pouring over the men’s underwear in the Sears catalogue -- the reader certainly does. He keeps thinking he needs to get a “boy friend” but somehow never concatenates to “boyfriend”.
This quick read is a book any adolescent (or adult who can recall those days) will be able to identify with in some way.
Recommended.
Passionately defended by Jen Sookfong Lee (End of East), Fruit made it to the final two in CBC’s 2009 Canada Reads. If you missed this exciting week, and/or know little about Fruit by Brian Francis, I can say unequivocally that is is it a delightful read, and at no time inauthentic.
Written in the first person, this novel, set in the early 1980’s, makes us privy to Peter Paddington’s immediate thoughts, most especially the fantasy world he inhabits: his cherry-sized nipples, which pop out and talk to him, despite his attempts to shut them up with masking tape; the telepathic messages he sends to people; the bedtime “movies” he creates to lull himself to sleep.
An overweight 13 year-old Peter is ridiculed at school, especially by the “Bangers”. He spends his recess breaks as a library assistant, and eats lunch at home with his hormonal mother.
Peter would love to make his dad happy by participating in sports and making friends, but mild-mannered Dad is unwilling to accept Mom’s insistance that there isn’t anything wrong with their boy. Yet, it is Dad who signs the papers so that Peter can take Home Ec instead of Shop.
Then there is neighbour Daniela, an unattractive girl who wets the bed, swears an awful lot, and wants to be a beauty queen. Peter comes to realize that he isn’t any more socially acceptable than she is. And while Peter doesn’t appear to realize he is gay -- despite his dressing up to perform as Olivia Newton John, or pouring over the men’s underwear in the Sears catalogue -- the reader certainly does. He keeps thinking he needs to get a “boy friend” but somehow never concatenates to “boyfriend”.
This quick read is a book any adolescent (or adult who can recall those days) will be able to identify with in some way.
Recommended.
May 3, 2012
My husband bought this book for me for Christmas about seven years ago when we were living in Chicago. Why? Because he read a portion of the novel and laughed at a part where the main character, Peter Paddington, places Band Aids over his nipples to keep them quiet.
Once I started reading the book, it was all over. There are so many laugh out loud moments in this book. The main character is an overweight high schooler who is babied with sugary, fat treats from his mother and has zilch social skills. His only friend is an awkward Italian girl named Danielle. Danielle is one of the funniest characters in a novel. She is a potty mouthed, curly-haired Italian beast who is riddles with disillusion as to who she is. She tells many tells of boys who try to court her and even goes as far to join a beauty pageant.
Anyway, the whole book is first person narration, and we see slowly what is going on with Peter as he suffers the most embarrassing moments thanks to his parents, peers and lastly, his two really red nipples that just won't leave him alone.
Read it, you need it!
Once I started reading the book, it was all over. There are so many laugh out loud moments in this book. The main character is an overweight high schooler who is babied with sugary, fat treats from his mother and has zilch social skills. His only friend is an awkward Italian girl named Danielle. Danielle is one of the funniest characters in a novel. She is a potty mouthed, curly-haired Italian beast who is riddles with disillusion as to who she is. She tells many tells of boys who try to court her and even goes as far to join a beauty pageant.
Anyway, the whole book is first person narration, and we see slowly what is going on with Peter as he suffers the most embarrassing moments thanks to his parents, peers and lastly, his two really red nipples that just won't leave him alone.
Read it, you need it!
August 17, 2015
a re-read. I've read this at least twice before and damn of it wasn't just as good this round. if you've been a teenager, or known a teenager, or just need to figure out a teenager, you will probably adore this.
February 4, 2018
A beautifully innocent, uncensored Bildungsroman. Observant, curious, and just plain cute, it is impossible to not end this book loving poor Peter Paddington, who is like us in so many ways. Brian Francis has created a classic in Fruit. I hope this book falls into the hands of those who need it, for I think it has the potential to be especially healing and enlightening to a few particular demographics.
Read on recommendation of CBC Books' 100 novels that make you proud to be Canadian.
Read on recommendation of CBC Books' 100 novels that make you proud to be Canadian.
October 5, 2012
If my nipples could speak they'd say, "Terrific, terrific, terrific book." (Because if they were to sound more eloquent than me, like Peter I would tape over them and shut them up.)
However, this book goes well beyond the topic of nipples. Yes, Peter is gay, but he hasn't figured it out yet. And so the book stopped being about sexual identity at all. Instead all I saw was a boy trying to fit in, be the "right weight" (a Mom who doesn't want her 200 pound thirteen yr old to stop eating fast food, yikes), and overcome puberty.
However, this book goes well beyond the topic of nipples. Yes, Peter is gay, but he hasn't figured it out yet. And so the book stopped being about sexual identity at all. Instead all I saw was a boy trying to fit in, be the "right weight" (a Mom who doesn't want her 200 pound thirteen yr old to stop eating fast food, yikes), and overcome puberty.
Read
April 15, 2011One of the five novels chosen for Canada Reads for March 2-6, 2009. More at http://www.cbc.ca/canadareads The title in the U.S. is The Secret Fruit of Peter Paddington: A Novel (P.S.) My writing partner, Jen Sookfong Lee will be pumping for this novel when the show hits the airwaves. Jen's website is http://www.sookfong.com and, if you're curious, our writing group resides at http://www.spinwrites.com
February 4, 2008
I'm not sure how a book featuring talking nipples could go so wrong, but miracles never cease. A junior high boy on a journey to self discovery dealing with weight and questioning his sexualuality. Not worth it unless you like talking about candy bars. Or just really like the idea of talking nipples.
February 22, 2014
"it's weird how your mind can make you believe things that aren't really true. Especially when it comes to yourself."
This has been on my "to read" list for a few years. I knew I would enjoy it. It could almost be a memoir of my own grade eight experiences. It's sad, funny and very honest. I highly recommend it.
This has been on my "to read" list for a few years. I knew I would enjoy it. It could almost be a memoir of my own grade eight experiences. It's sad, funny and very honest. I highly recommend it.
January 12, 2009
Had read this book before, but read it on the plane and loved it. I love the voice, the Sarnia setting and the unique story. This is a Canada Reads selection for 2009. I don't think it will win as it is rather different, but I'm glad that it is getting more attention.
May 17, 2021
this might have been an okay book if not for the rampant [internalized] fatmisia, ableism, racism, etc. like...I lost count of the number of times the r-slur was used
July 20, 2021
Fruit is a young adult contemporary coming of age written by Brian Francis. It centers on Peter, an average eighth grader, except that his nipples are speaking to him.
Thirteen-year-old Peter Paddington suffers through a year of eighth grade in this entertaining debut novel set in Sarnia, Canada, in 1984. In some ways Peter is an average awkward teenager – hair sprouting in unexpected places, a lack of friends, and curiosity about religion. However, in other ways he's different – he weighs 204 pounds and swollen nipples have just surfaced on his doughy chest. Soon these nipples take on a life of their own, actually speaking to Peter and giving him unsolicited advice.
A vividly drawn dysfunctional family fills out the novel's landscape – most of this dysfunction revolves around food and weight and Peter's menopausal, smothering mother, Beth. Peter's long-suffering father, Henry, works a factory job in Chemical Valley, his thin sister Christine does her best not to associate with her family, his sister Nancy dumps her fat boyfriend to discover her "new" self, and his Uncle Ed is an overweight, closeted homosexual.
Fruit is written and constructed rather well. The fluid, lively narrative is punctuated with a series of "Bedtime Movies," fantasies in which Peter is loved, popular and famous, propelled out of his fat, sad existence. Despite its fantastical twists, the novel hews closely to familiar coming-of-age formulas, but it’s the hapless narrator is a winning hero.
All in all, Fruit is a lovely and odd take on a time many of readers would just as soon forget – adolescence.
Thirteen-year-old Peter Paddington suffers through a year of eighth grade in this entertaining debut novel set in Sarnia, Canada, in 1984. In some ways Peter is an average awkward teenager – hair sprouting in unexpected places, a lack of friends, and curiosity about religion. However, in other ways he's different – he weighs 204 pounds and swollen nipples have just surfaced on his doughy chest. Soon these nipples take on a life of their own, actually speaking to Peter and giving him unsolicited advice.
A vividly drawn dysfunctional family fills out the novel's landscape – most of this dysfunction revolves around food and weight and Peter's menopausal, smothering mother, Beth. Peter's long-suffering father, Henry, works a factory job in Chemical Valley, his thin sister Christine does her best not to associate with her family, his sister Nancy dumps her fat boyfriend to discover her "new" self, and his Uncle Ed is an overweight, closeted homosexual.
Fruit is written and constructed rather well. The fluid, lively narrative is punctuated with a series of "Bedtime Movies," fantasies in which Peter is loved, popular and famous, propelled out of his fat, sad existence. Despite its fantastical twists, the novel hews closely to familiar coming-of-age formulas, but it’s the hapless narrator is a winning hero.
All in all, Fruit is a lovely and odd take on a time many of readers would just as soon forget – adolescence.
January 3, 2021
I was torn between giving it a 4 and 5. Entertaining read that I could not put down. Enjoyed the nostalgia of 1980s Canadiana.
September 3, 2024
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Read
February 10, 2025...I'm not too sure what I think about this book.
October 3, 2013
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Brian Francis's Fruit: A Novel About a Boy and His Nipples ... there were elements I loved, some I despised, others that wigged me out and still more which left me vaguely hollow.
Told from the perspective of an overweight 13-year-old boy named Peter Paddington, Fruit is essentially a book about nothing. There is really no plot or scheme here, this is a novel about what it is not to fit in. And while there are humorous themes within the novel the subject itself is a darker one.
Laugh, and you will, at this chubby boy who has "telepathy conversations" with his family and schoolmates or the fact that he thinks his nipples are deformed and, yes, converses with them as well -at least when they aren't taped up. There is some funny stuff in here, the dynamics between Peter and his friend Daniela are particularly amusing, but there is also tougher stuff too.
I felt for Peter when journeying with him through his Grade 8 year, I too was that particular breed of uncool! Fortunately, not the kind the "cool" kids throw rocks at (that was another girl in my class) but the kind that nobody saw. Peter goes days without speaking to anyone at school and all interaction is cruel and hurtful. Even his family largely ignores him.
<--- I don't know that that is really a spoiler given what the title is but just in case.
Peter's life is an uphill battle every step of the way. Overall, this novel is well done within it's bizarrity. Peter is an at times annoying but lovable character. Brian Francis has made a story that is both crazy and true feeling, and for a first novel, that is wonderful!
Told from the perspective of an overweight 13-year-old boy named Peter Paddington, Fruit is essentially a book about nothing. There is really no plot or scheme here, this is a novel about what it is not to fit in. And while there are humorous themes within the novel the subject itself is a darker one.
Laugh, and you will, at this chubby boy who has "telepathy conversations" with his family and schoolmates or the fact that he thinks his nipples are deformed and, yes, converses with them as well -at least when they aren't taped up. There is some funny stuff in here, the dynamics between Peter and his friend Daniela are particularly amusing, but there is also tougher stuff too.
I felt for Peter when journeying with him through his Grade 8 year, I too was that particular breed of uncool! Fortunately, not the kind the "cool" kids throw rocks at (that was another girl in my class) but the kind that nobody saw. Peter goes days without speaking to anyone at school and all interaction is cruel and hurtful. Even his family largely ignores him.
<--- I don't know that that is really a spoiler given what the title is but just in case.
Peter's life is an uphill battle every step of the way. Overall, this novel is well done within it's bizarrity. Peter is an at times annoying but lovable character. Brian Francis has made a story that is both crazy and true feeling, and for a first novel, that is wonderful!
June 14, 2007
As posted in [http://www.amazon.com]:
Peter Paddington is an overweight 13-year-old paperboy...with man-boobs. Any guys who have struggled with their weight as a teenager knows it's just downright embarrassing to be cursed with man-boobs.
What's even worse is that Peter has imaginary conversations with his nipples. His nipples are telling him what to do even to the point of daring him.
Peter is just a fat paperboy who is just not quite like the other guys. He isn't into sports, which is a disappointment for his dad. He rather be in Home Ec. class. He trades stickers with the girls. He has fantasies about the cute married man across the street. He "makes sperm" with the showerhead. Can you say gay? However, *Fruit* doesn't really dwell much on homosexuality but rather implies it. More like we all know he's gay but he doesn't know it himself.
His goal is to be skinny and normal like the other guys by the time he hits 9th grade in the Fall. However, he keeps postponing the day that he'll really start the diet. He has to deal with his family. His mother is going through The Change. His father is just distant. His sisters are fighting more than usual. His embarrassing and talkative Uncle Ed keeps hanging around.
*Fruit* is a simple read with some occasional humor. The talking nipples is just really odd as having man-boobs is already embarrassing enough.
Peter Paddington is an overweight 13-year-old paperboy...with man-boobs. Any guys who have struggled with their weight as a teenager knows it's just downright embarrassing to be cursed with man-boobs.
What's even worse is that Peter has imaginary conversations with his nipples. His nipples are telling him what to do even to the point of daring him.
Peter is just a fat paperboy who is just not quite like the other guys. He isn't into sports, which is a disappointment for his dad. He rather be in Home Ec. class. He trades stickers with the girls. He has fantasies about the cute married man across the street. He "makes sperm" with the showerhead. Can you say gay? However, *Fruit* doesn't really dwell much on homosexuality but rather implies it. More like we all know he's gay but he doesn't know it himself.
His goal is to be skinny and normal like the other guys by the time he hits 9th grade in the Fall. However, he keeps postponing the day that he'll really start the diet. He has to deal with his family. His mother is going through The Change. His father is just distant. His sisters are fighting more than usual. His embarrassing and talkative Uncle Ed keeps hanging around.
*Fruit* is a simple read with some occasional humor. The talking nipples is just really odd as having man-boobs is already embarrassing enough.
February 9, 2013
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I had a preconceived idea that I wouldn't like it, but I was hooked from the first paragraph. Which I just have to share:
"My name is Peter Paddington. I just started grade 8 at Clarkedale Elementary School. Six days a week, I deliver the Sarnia Observer and the other day my nipples popped out."
Then, I just sat and read. And laughed, and laughed.
All thoroughout the book I thought poor kid, he has no real friends, with a dysfunctional family, his mother going through Menopause and he's going through puberty, plus he has weight issues. But the book was written in way that made it funny, because you kind of remember going through the change as well. But what was really touching was his confusion, actually his questions about his own sexuality. He likes girls but doesn't feel anything for them. He prefers boys, but he's afraid that that would make him a freak. Poor Peter.
I enjoyed the ending. In a way it was about a resolution and sticking to it. Even though his nipples were still talking to him. Yep, really...You need to read this book!
It was time well spent.
4.5/5
"My name is Peter Paddington. I just started grade 8 at Clarkedale Elementary School. Six days a week, I deliver the Sarnia Observer and the other day my nipples popped out."
Then, I just sat and read. And laughed, and laughed.
All thoroughout the book I thought poor kid, he has no real friends, with a dysfunctional family, his mother going through Menopause and he's going through puberty, plus he has weight issues. But the book was written in way that made it funny, because you kind of remember going through the change as well. But what was really touching was his confusion, actually his questions about his own sexuality. He likes girls but doesn't feel anything for them. He prefers boys, but he's afraid that that would make him a freak. Poor Peter.
I enjoyed the ending. In a way it was about a resolution and sticking to it. Even though his nipples were still talking to him. Yep, really...You need to read this book!
It was time well spent.
4.5/5
June 25, 2015
I may have been laughing at this book more out of his stories of Sarnia than his "coming of age" tale. Or maybe it's just the memory of coming of age in Sarnia.
While key locations had their names changed, I knew where everything was he mentioned, as that was in the same neighbourhood as my childhood. Right down to the flowering-tree lined streets Which is why I loved it.
Too often Canadian literature passes over southwestern Ontario, let alone small working class cities which, socially, is quite quirky. Thank you Brian Francis for telling our story in this setting, and thank you ECW Press for printing it. It helps validate life in towns/cities like Sarnia as part of the overall Canadian framework.
That aside, the story itself is really funny. Although, you sometimes forget it's from the perspective of a 14-yr old boy, as it read much older. But, it is a first published novel. I'm willing to overlook that.
PS. So tempted to write out the passages specific to the quirks of life in Sarnia to archive in this review, as many made me actually LOL.
[edit notes: originally typed on a touch screen which just went wrong in so many ways, cleaned up spelling and grammar]
While key locations had their names changed, I knew where everything was he mentioned, as that was in the same neighbourhood as my childhood. Right down to the flowering-tree lined streets Which is why I loved it.
Too often Canadian literature passes over southwestern Ontario, let alone small working class cities which, socially, is quite quirky. Thank you Brian Francis for telling our story in this setting, and thank you ECW Press for printing it. It helps validate life in towns/cities like Sarnia as part of the overall Canadian framework.
That aside, the story itself is really funny. Although, you sometimes forget it's from the perspective of a 14-yr old boy, as it read much older. But, it is a first published novel. I'm willing to overlook that.
PS. So tempted to write out the passages specific to the quirks of life in Sarnia to archive in this review, as many made me actually LOL.
[edit notes: originally typed on a touch screen which just went wrong in so many ways, cleaned up spelling and grammar]
July 10, 2012
I loved this coming of age tale of an overweight, shy, just beginning to figure out he's gay, thirteen year old boy. He's very naive, and is highly uncomfortable with the changes that puberty has wrought upon his body. Like most teens he feels alienated from his caring but clueless parents who are dealing with their own problems and his self absorbed older sisters who treat him as a nuisance at best and pariah at worst. He has a friend in Daniela, the foul mouthed neighbour girl that works in her parents restaurant. She's crude, and overly confident; but Peter is both loyal and protective of her. He becomes a closet Catholic for a while, thanks to Daniela's influence, but he is more entranced by the pageantry then any actual spiritual calling.
I loved Peter and would have liked to know how he was doing in 2012. I figured he must be just under 40 years old if the story took place in the mid to late 80's. I'd like to think for Peter Paddington it did indeed get better.
I loved Peter and would have liked to know how he was doing in 2012. I figured he must be just under 40 years old if the story took place in the mid to late 80's. I'd like to think for Peter Paddington it did indeed get better.
September 6, 2012
This was a first novel in which the author has spilled an entire childhood of fear and loathing onto the page. Peter is horrified by his suddenly noticeable nipples talking to him, criticising, bullying, and generally making his life miserable. He buys rolls of making tape and tapes himself up to hide the nipples and later substitutes an elastic bandage. He tries to figure out what the world is about, why he doesn't have friends, what the code is that everyone seems to be speaking, and what he should do about anything and everything. The writing is so funny that laughing out loud would be inevitable if it weren't so sad. He can't get up enough nerve to tell anyone about what is happening to him so he doesn't get any help, but given that this is not a present day story he probably wouldn't have got much help, except possibly from his mother who realizes what her own brother is.
December 7, 2007
So I was a little bit of a loser in Junior High, but I had it great compared to Peter Paddington. He has talking man-boobs, his only friend is this crazy, hairy, potty-mouthed Catholic girl on his street, and he has fruity secret fantasies! But in spite of all this, Peter's voice is never too whiny and the book manages to have a sense of humor about itself while also being strangely inspiring. Those who are expecting a typical coming-of-age and coming out story might be disappointed, because the book's more unsettlingly ambigious about Peter's future as a gay man, but that adds to the realism of the book and gives it a wider audience than the LGBT community. The P.S. extras at the back of this edition include a very good dialogue between Dan Savage and the author.
June 8, 2009
Well written novel with seamless transitions between reality and fantasy sequences. Rather disturbing in some ways, though. I always felt embarrassed for and of the protagonist. He's very awkward, and yet normal...I think it's his obesity that made me most embarrassed, though his sexual thoughts also made me feel like I was invading his privacy. A very unusual book in that sense, though for young male teens who are obese and/or gay, this book may be what they need to affirm themselves as valuable. I like his friend Daniela, too, and I think she opens the book to be relevant for young females.
And how many books actually take place in Sarnia, Ontario? That in itself is a hidden gem. :)
And how many books actually take place in Sarnia, Ontario? That in itself is a hidden gem. :)
September 12, 2009
This was absolutely hilarious! Awesome first book!
Story of an overweight teen who is horrified when 'his nipples pop out' and spends the whole book taping them down so that no one notices. Oh, and they talk to him, too!
Told first person POV, and Peter's voice is nailed perfectly. The way he thinks and talks is so true for a person Peter's age.
Toward the end, Peter was working on losing weight. My only complaint is that we never fully got to see him try and see if he was successful. Screw if he lost anything, I just wanted to know if he did. It was something that I was hoping for from the start, so I was a bit disappointed.
As cracky as this book sounds, it is a really entertaining read!
Story of an overweight teen who is horrified when 'his nipples pop out' and spends the whole book taping them down so that no one notices. Oh, and they talk to him, too!
Told first person POV, and Peter's voice is nailed perfectly. The way he thinks and talks is so true for a person Peter's age.
Toward the end, Peter was working on losing weight. My only complaint is that we never fully got to see him try and see if he was successful. Screw if he lost anything, I just wanted to know if he did. It was something that I was hoping for from the start, so I was a bit disappointed.
As cracky as this book sounds, it is a really entertaining read!
January 21, 2015
A quirky book about an obese, gay teenager going through puberty in Sarnia, Ontario. "Fruit" chronicles what you would expect: an odd but loving family, odd but loving neighbourhood characters, and the imaginative internal life of an isolated kid trying to accept himself for who he truly is.
Still, it's told well with enough memorable characters and events that it doesn't feel too much like tired ground. Francis injects enough pathos into his humour to make for a compelling read and ground the book so that the people only feel slightly caricaturized.
It's a fun, personal book that isn't especially groundbreaking, but feels indelibly honest about the strangeness of finding yourself.
Still, it's told well with enough memorable characters and events that it doesn't feel too much like tired ground. Francis injects enough pathos into his humour to make for a compelling read and ground the book so that the people only feel slightly caricaturized.
It's a fun, personal book that isn't especially groundbreaking, but feels indelibly honest about the strangeness of finding yourself.
May 6, 2008
I wish I could review this without it ending up sounding like a terrible book because it is actually really wonderful. Brian Francis manages to characterize a very strange boy without any of his quirkiness seeming phony. Peter is an overweight, teenager whose family enables his poor eating habits as well as his failing self-esteem. They are all such misfits that they cannot really take care of eachother. To cope, Peter's nipples begin to give him helpful, if a little bit derogatory, advice about his life. He is smart but has not yet understood this about himself; he doesn't quite get anything yet and that's what makes him such a compelling character.
July 27, 2008
This book was really touching and I connected with the main character. It's funny growing up on the outside of life, as a fat, queer kid and how you begin to think that you may actually be going crazy. And the crazy things you do to your body to squash the parts that shouldn't protrude....it made me laugh and cry all at the same time. I recommend this book to any and everyone who has ever felt the least bit different as a child. Funny, warm and heartfelt. It was like a Lifetime movie minus the cheesiness and Valerie Bertenelli, Jane Seymour and Alyssa Milano.
November 2, 2008
13 year old Peter Paddington is overweight and most definitely gay. He is coming to terms with this encouraged by his growing nipples which have taken to talking to him and excoriating him for his lack of courage. This is a delightful novel of a young gay lad coming of age. It is charming, clever brash and very entertaining.
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