Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
What's Eating Gilbert Grape | Peter Hedges
Faced with an obesely overweight mother, a mentally retarded brother, an affair with an older married woman, and a budding new love with a young woman his own age, Gilbert Grape stands stressed out at the crossroads of his life. Reprint.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Donna1980
post image
Pickpick

LOVED this book. Gilbert is not the most comfortable lead, he has many faults but you still end up championing him throughout. He navigates his dysfunctional family the best he can, his love for his brother, Arnie is pure and whilst he struggles to find reasons to stay his loyalty ties him to his family. 5 stars for me

review
TheIntrovertedDodoBird
post image
Pickpick

A beautiful, unembellished, warts-&-all tale of the perseverance & devotion of young Gilbert Grape, a man barely keeping his head above the metaphorical water of his small town life & burdened heavily beyond his years. Never before have I been acquainted with such a realistic collection of characters. I found myself feeling almost as though I was prying into the intimate, private thoughts of Gilbert. Gilbert & Arnie stole every piece of my heart ♡

Suet624 I never realized this was book first. Great movie! 2y
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Suet624 Honestly, the book is even better than the film 😍. The film is great! I wish I'd read it before watching the film, but I loved having the opportunity to explore the characters even more and the film left quite a lot out too! Highly recommend it! Xx 2y
Suet624 @TheIntrovertedDodoBird I shouldn‘t be surprised that the book is better. 😀 they always are. I‘ll definitely check it out. 2y
TheIntrovertedDodoBird @Suet624 So true 😁. I've lost count how many times I've said it. Never have I yet come across a film which is better than the book (I hope it never happens 😆). I hope you enjoy it as much as I did ❤️ Xx 2y
57 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Liked this a lot. The portrayal of small town America, the oddness of individuals and the cohesion of families.

Tamra It‘s been years since I watched the film, but it definitely left an impression. 2y
rachaich @Tamra same, not sure how similar the film was as it was years ago. 2y
19 likes2 comments
blurb
rachaich
post image

Charity shop score!
Plus it's published by one of my favourite independent book shops #mrbs in Bath.
I watched the film years ago so only have a vague recollection of the story.

blurb
jb72
post image

#wondrouswednesday

1. Yikes 😳 - Kris Radish, Mike Rowe, Juliet Blackwell are three that come to mind.
2. Gilbert Grape
3. Daily Magic

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍽🍁

Eggs Thanks for playing 🙏🏻 2y
27 likes1 comment
review
JenlovesJT47
post image
Pickpick

I freaking loved this book! I‘ve always loved the movie and only recently discovered it was based on a book. What‘s Eating Gilbert Grape? Well, lots of things actually, and he comes by it honestly. He‘s pretty jaded and understandably so, but this was a great small-town story that made me laugh and cry, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can‘t wait to watch the movie again, I haven‘t seen it in years. 5⭐️ Highly recommended!

Librariana I had no idea it was based on a book either! Glad you enjoyed it 😊 Makes me miss the movie. Such great performances! 3y
JenlovesJT47 @Librariana yes! I knew Leo was special when I first saw this movie. Such a great actor! ❤️ 3y
60 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
baberj

Can't believe I haven't read this before. Amazing story so far.

rachelm His other one is so good too!!! 4y
baberj I read that one several years ago 4y
2 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
jb72
post image

1. Picture books 📚
2. YA - I just don‘t read a lot of YA books.
3. Freezer book - that‘s a great prompt!
4. Recommended by a kid
5. What‘s Eating Gilbert Grape - love book and movie 🍿
6. I‘ve heard The Gunslinger really sucked, but I haven‘t watched it yet for fear I will hate it. (I liked the book.)
7. @Shakespearience @kindergartenkat

bibliobard LOL I work with teens so I can try and pass those along when I hear them. 5y
jb72 @Shakespearience HAHA thanks! Yeah I‘m not much for the teen drama and angst. I figure I lived it in real life why read about it. I did like 13 Reasons Why (Book). 5y
Crazeedi So what would be a freezer book? Everyone is saying this will be hard but not sure what it means! 5y
LibrarianRyan @Crazeedi it‘s a Friends Reference. Joey puts books in the freezer when they scare him. You know like Steven King or Little Women. (Beth dying scares Joey). 5y
23 likes4 comments
blurb
jb72
post image

#booktomovie #MayMadness
One of my favorite book to movie adaptations is What‘s Eating Gilbert Grape. The book is so good, and the movie is great too.

BeansPage Ooooo 😗 that's a good one! 5y
Clwojick Yessss! I loved this one! 5y
rather_be_reading this is a book! omg 5y
Itchyfeetreader I loved that film and did not know it was a book first - will need to check it out 5y
19 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
Oryx
post image
Pickpick

I really, really liked this. I was utterly absorbed by its description of small town USA and the Grape family. I felt transported there. I haven't seen the film, so I'll have to watch it, but based on the book, I can't imagine Johnny Depp as Gilbert, so that will be interesting. I love this edition too, from independent press Fox, Finch & Tepper.

Reviewsbylola I unfortunately didn‘t connect with the book like I expected to. The movie is absolutely phenomenal though. I definitely recommend it! 6y
MicheleinPhilly I‘m still mad that Leo didn‘t win the Oscar for this. 6y
batsy Love this cover! And agreed @MicheleinPhilly he was excellent in the role. 6y
See All 6 Comments
Tamra Yes, the movie is quite good! 6y
Zelma The movie is really good, but I could see having problems with it based on reading the book first (isn‘t that always the case?). 6y
Oryx @Zelma hopefully I'll like both! 😀 6y
98 likes5 stack adds6 comments
blurb
Oryx
post image

When someone mentions baking cookies in your book. And then you really want cookies. Good thing I always have peanut butter handy.

Tamra My favorite. 😋 6y
Lreads Love the mug! 😂 And the cookies look so good! 6y
rabbitprincess Haha I need that mug 😆 6y
Oryx @rabbitprincess @QuietlyLaura It's an awesome mug isn't it? When I saw it in the shop, I had to have it! 6y
90 likes4 comments
blurb
Oryx
post image

Daisy testing the new outdoor sofa. It passes the doodle comfort test. Maybe she'll let me share it for a bit of reading. #dogsoflitsy

TrishB Awww 🐶 6y
Tamra I didn‘t realize this was a novel. I enjoyed the movie! 6y
ladym30 Daisy is such a beauty and a reader too! 6y
See All 6 Comments
CoffeeK8 She looks just like my Hurley... is she a labradoodle? 6y
Oryx @CoffeeK8 close, goldendoodle 😁 6y
Oryx @Tamra Yeah I didn't know it was a book either. I'd heard of the film, but not seen in yet. Book was really great! 6y
100 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
Oryx
post image

Me: OMG, that was amazing, I could move in there
Mr Oryx: I thought you had

tpixie 💜💜💜💜 6y
Kalalalatja Love Mr. B‘s ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
See All 11 Comments
Suzze Just the name makes me want to visit! 6y
Tamra 😹 6y
saresmoore Ahahaha! Perfect. 6y
TrishB Cool 💜 6y
Cathythoughts Great pic 💫 6y
Cathythoughts Great pic 👍🏻💫 6y
youneverarrived 😂😂 6y
LeahBergen 😂😂 Sounds like my husband! 6y
98 likes11 comments
blurb
js0315
post image

This was a bit more difficult, #punctuation in the title. #riotgrams #bookriot

review
Reviewsbylola
post image
Mehso-so

I‘m so unsure of how I feel about this book. This has always been one of my favorite movies. As I read the first 100 pages, I was impressed with how well the movie and the book resembled one another. That changed pretty quickly. There were big differences. Characters in the book that weren‘t in the movie, relationships portrayed differently in the movie, etc etc. I understand no film adaption will be spot on, but I liked the movie more. #pop18

MicheleinPhilly Leo was robbed! *looks up who actually won the Oscar that year* Ugh. Totally robbed. 6y
RealLifeReading I loved this movie! Can't remember if I've read the book though! 6y
Reviewsbylola That was what my husband kept interjecting as I read the book. 🤣 Totally agree. @MicheleinPhilly 6y
See All 10 Comments
Reviewsbylola I think this is one of those times it probably pays to read the book first. But either way, I think I would have liked the movie better. @RealLifeReading 6y
emilyhaldi Bummer! 6y
kamoorephoto I read the book way before the movie (donkeys years ago), and LOVED it to death. And then enjoyed the movie. I read the book as a teen and enjoyed it soooo much, and to this day will say it‘s a favorite from that era. So maybe it‘s the timing. I‘d definitely always say read the book first!! (edited) 6y
Eggs I'd agree. Many movies seem irrelevant or disjointed without having read book first 6y
Mdargusch That movie is unforgettable. 6y
ReadingRover I haven‘t read the book but I love that movie! Lol I live down the street from a restaurant called Burger Barn and it kills me everyday! 6y
Cinfhen Sort of glad I skipped this one 6y
110 likes2 stack adds10 comments
blurb
Reviewsbylola
post image

Trying to read with a 5 year old on my back.

I really should be reading my two #readersgonna read books or #luminariesbuddyread, but you know when a book has been hiding out on your shelves for YEARS and then all of a sudden it just demands to be read that instant? That‘s this book. It kept popping into my mind so I decided to start it this morning. 100 pages in and I‘m loving it. Just as good as the movie.

LoveToReadLiveToRead I never knew this was a book! 😱 6y
Cinfhen Can‘t wait to get to this one too!!! #somanybookssolittletime 😬 6y
Reviewsbylola I didn‘t realize until a few years ago. The book was published a few years before the movie. The author is also the screen writer. And what‘s even crazier is that the Mom from the movie was discovered after she appeared on Sally Jesse Rafael! @lovetoreadl 6y
See All 14 Comments
Reviewsbylola It‘s really good. The movie really did it justice as far as not straying too far from the book. @Cinfhen 6y
Reviewsbylola I‘m using it for #pop18 @cinfhen for a book made into a movie you‘ve already seen. @Cinfhen 6y
kamoorephoto LOVE this book so much. I read it sooo long ago now, before it was a movie. Just brilliant. 6y
Cinfhen One of my favorite movies is Slum Dog Millionaire so I‘m gonna read the novel because I already own it for my #pop18 6y
Reviewsbylola I can‘t even imagine reading it without seeing the movie because the characters are so vivid to me via the actors that portrayed them. Kind of like GWTW! Now that I‘ve seen the movie, Vivian Leigh will always be Scarlett and Clark Gable will always be Rhett. @kamoorephoto 6y
Reviewsbylola Good one! I was going to do The Birds or Psycho and then remembered about this one! @Cinfhen 6y
jillannjohn I love the movie and didn‘t realize it was a book! Adding to my mammoth list. 6y
emilyhaldi Nice selfie. I feel like I need to watch this movie again... it‘s been so long! 6y
Reviewsbylola Same! I‘ve been watching clips on YouTube as I read the book. @emilyhaldi 6y
Mdargusch That was soooo depressing. 6y
148 likes1 stack add14 comments
blurb
Centique
post image

#tuneintonovember #promises
You may have seen the film but the book is really worth a read too. Possibly this would fit better for “responsibilities” but I feel that in his heart Gilbert has made #promises to look after his obese mother and developmentally disabled brother Arnie. I felt it was affirming of all different types of people with problems but also understood that Gilbert needed his own life too.

RadicalReader @Centique my only issue was that I didn‘t discover this exceptionally well done film‘s book counterpart sooner!! 6y
Cinfhen Look at johnny Depp😱😱😱he's sooooo young!!! Great choice for today💗 6y
Reggie Very nice post, even if I haven‘t read or seen it. 6y
See All 6 Comments
Centique @Reggie thanks Reggie. It‘s a pretty sweet book and movie really. This dysfunctional family are sort of looked down upon in the community but they get their moment of triumph. 😊 6y
Centique @Cinfhen I just looked and he was about 29 when this was made. He looks about 19 I reckon! 6y
Cinfhen He looks wayyyy younger than 29😲 6y
64 likes3 stack adds6 comments
blurb
BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
post image
review
Mtompkins
Pickpick

This book was hilarious! I have seen the movie, but it's been forever. I look forward to watching it again so I can compare.

RadicalReader @Mtompkins still stuck on the iconic water tower scene with Arnie and Gilbert 😂😂 6y
Mtompkins @RadicalReader 😂😂 So hilarious! 6y
3 likes2 comments
review
rachelm
post image
Pickpick

Easily my top pick for #bookishsiblings for #augustphotochallenge-- Gilbert and Arnie. If you liked the movie (young Leo and Johnny), then you'll love the book. The book brings more wry humor and depth to this complicated family.

Reviewsbylola Great pick!!! That movie is so amazing. I haven't read the book but I think I own it. 8y
RealLifeReading Oh good one! It was such a great movie. I can't remember if I've read the book though! 8y
Hugoreads Excellent choice! 8y
Gayan I love the movie and still watch it from time to time. I will be reading this book! 8y
31 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
Mtompkins
post image

My friend recommended this book to me. I'm a huge Leonardo DiCaprio fan, so of course I've seen the movie. I had no idea it was a book though!

RadicalReader @Mtompkins I‘m a sucker for the young Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape 6y
Mtompkins @RadicalReader Same here! He was perfect. 6y
4 likes3 stack adds2 comments
quote
Martyn_J_Pass
post image

So true! So many people have 'facial fabric softeners' instead of just being honest ha ha.

review
whiteflagwarrior
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Pickpick

All throughout the book I tried to guess the ending, but nothing could've prepared me for this. I haven't cried this hard over a book since I read "The Fault in Our Stars" in eighth grade. Bonnie Grape got to see her boy turn 18.

1 stack add
blurb
whiteflagwarrior

100 pages in, and I'm waiting for it to get interesting. It's not as though the story is unreadable, it just has no action.

review
MandaRie
post image
Mehso-so

Eh. It was an up and down novel. I actually prefer the movie over this, though the book is much grittier and more realistic about how complicated and fucked up families can be. 3/5.

quote
MandaRie
post image

Bull's-eye!

4 likes1 stack add