Big Brother

By: Lionel Shriver

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Synopsis: From the acclaimed author of the National Book Award finalist So Much for That and the international bestseller We Need to Talk About Kevin comes a striking new novel about siblings, marriage, and obesity. When Pandora picks up her older brother Edison at her local Iowa airport, she literally doesnt recognize him. In the four years since the siblings last saw each other, the once slim, hip New York jazz pianist has gained hundreds of pounds. What happened?And its not just the weight. Imposing himself on Pandoras world, Edison breaks her husband Fletchers handcrafted furniture, makes overkill breakfasts for the family, and entices her stepson not only to forgo college but to drop out of high school. After the brother-in-law has more than overstayed his welcome, Fletcher delivers his wife an ultimatum: Its him or me. Putting her marriage and adopted family on the line, Pandora chooses her brother--who, without her support in losing weight, will surely eat himself into an early grave. Rich with Shrivers distinctive wit and ferocious energy, Big Brother is about fat--an issue both social and excruciatingly personal. It asks just how much well sacrifice to rescue single members of our families, and whether its ever possible to save loved ones from themselves.