Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Amy Ward

I just finished the book Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher. The story revolves around Eric Calhoune and his long-standing friendship with Sarah Byrnes. Both are social outcasts, Eric being extremely overweight and Sarah Byrnes being horribly scarred from a childhood burn incident. They grow up together fighting the school bullies and a society that doesn't accept them. As Eric begins to lose weight from joining the swim team and gaining a normal life, Sarah's life becomes more complicated, until she winds up in a psychiatric unit, not speaking. Eric must get to the bottom of her troubles and secrets before she is silenced for good.

There were things about this book I loved and things I hated. I loved the overall story of Eric and Sarah Byrnes, their friendship. Lots of stories focus on the well-adjusted, "popular", "pretty" people. This story looks at life from the perspective of those that are shunned, those that don't fit in. Sarah Byrnes is so strong and full of life. I love the way Eric sees her in the story. He doesn't pity her, he sees her as his equal and respects her. The reader definitely feels the love these characters have for each other. I also loved the mystery and suspense. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I didn't love how Christians are potrayed in this book. They all seem to be one-sided, over-critical, mean, and shallow. Being a Christian myself, I really bristled at those parts in the book. It seemed as though Chrisitanity was being attacked. As if the other characters in the book were better for not being Christians. But that is just my opinion.

Overall, the story was good, if a bit over-dramatic. Go into it expecting a lot of language. If you can overlook those parts, the story really rings true.