Fat City
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1996
183
Novel • Fiction
Stockton, California • 1950s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Fat City by Leonard Gardner explores the lives of two boxers in Stockton, California, focusing on their struggles and aspirations. The narrative delves into their personal challenges, relationships, and the pursuit of meaning within the boxing world, painting a gritty picture of resilience and perseverance amidst life's hardships.
Gritty
Melancholic
Contemplative
Challenging
4,721 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Leonard Gardner’s Fat City is celebrated for its gritty realism and evocative depiction of boxing and the struggles of down-and-out characters. The prose is praised for its raw authenticity and vivid imagery. However, some find its bleak narrative and focus on despair challenging. Overall, the novel stands out for its powerful portrayal of human resilience and futility.
A reader who enjoys Fat City by Leonard Gardner likely appreciates gritty, poignant tales of struggle and redemption in a Californian setting. Fans of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men or Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, who enjoy exploring the human spirit amid despair, would find this novel compelling.
4,721 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
183
Novel • Fiction
Stockton, California • 1950s
1996
Adult
18+ years
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