About book Fruit: A Novel About A Boy And His Nipples (2004)
4 StarsPassionately 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.
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.
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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.
—Amy
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. :)
—Lorraine
A funny and memorable read, especially with such a character as 13-year-old Peter Paddington. I never thought I'd ever read a book about a boy whose nipples talk to him, but I did and I liked it. Peter's naïve way of describing himself and the people in his life are absolutely hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of his Bedtime Movies, the made-up scenes that play in his mind before he falls asleep. This book became inredibly touching toward the end and I enjoyed reading about Peter's changing relationships with his sisters and parents.
—Gem
