Big Brother by Lionel Shriver

Lionel Shriver is the Orange Prize winner who wrote We Need to Talk About Kevin. In this novel, she examines another social problem of our time – morbid obesity.

Pandora has not seen her brother Edison for four years. He has been down on his luck in the ensuing time, so Pandora offers him sanctuary with her family. Since she has last seen him, he has had a massive weight gain, and the older brother she once held on a pedestal must now rely on her.

Edison’s extended visit causes friction between Pandora and her husband, Fletcher. Fletcher exercises and monitors his food intake obsessively. When Pandora decides to take her brother on as a project, it has a huge impact on her whole family.

Big Brother gives a fascinating insight into our relationship with food, as well as the enduring ties of a close sibling relationship. Shriver’s own brother died in recent years, due to obesity related illness. In Big Brother, she once again tackles broader social issues and what they say about Western society.

Reviewed at Young at Heart Book Group

Catalogue Link:  Big Brother