58 pages • 1 hour read
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Endora, Iowa • 1990s
1991
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set in 1989, Peter Hedges' debut novel, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, follows young Gilbert Grape in Endora, Iowa, whose life is dominated by his responsibilities toward his family, including his mother, whose severe obesity confines her to their home, and his younger brother Arnie, who has an intellectual disability.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
19,105 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Peter Hedges' What's Eating Gilbert Grape is widely praised for its heartfelt portrayal of small-town life and complex family dynamics. Reviewers commend its authentic characters and emotional depth. However, some critics find the pacing sluggish and feel the narrative could be more focused. Overall, it's a touching exploration of personal struggle and community.
Who Should Read What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
Fans of character-driven stories grappling with familial duty and personal aspirations would enjoy What's Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges. Similar to readers of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Secret Life of Bees, these readers appreciate emotionally resonant, small-town narratives focused on personal growth.
19,105 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Becky
Becky
A young newcomer to Endora who captivates the local youth, including Gilbert, and provides an opportunity for him to reflect on his emotions and choices.
Mrs. Betty Carver
Mrs. Betty Carver
An older, married woman who engages Gilbert in a complex affair, representing both a source of intimacy and an expression of Gilbert's unresolved familial feelings.
Bonnie Grape
Bonnie Grape
Gilbert's mother, whose life is constrained by her obesity and past grief, influencing the dynamics within the family.
Arnie Grape
Arnie Grape
Gilbert's younger brother with an intellectual disability, whose care is a central element of Gilbert's life and decisions.
336
Novel • Fiction
Endora, Iowa • 1990s
1991
YA
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.