TOO BIG

As a man’s height and body mass inexplicably increase, so does his popularity in Tarulli’s satire.

At 41, John Whitmore shouldn’t be too alarmed to learn that he’s gained a few pounds. But he’s also a few inches taller, which a local physician can’t explain. With his freelance-journalist best friend (and the novel’s narrator) Max by his side, John sees specialists who are unable to diagnose his continuing “growth spurt.” In little time, the media picks up the story, turning John into a celebrity. This leads to unexpected perks, from a professional athlete lending John his vacated, high-ceilinged home to a product endorsement deal that may ameliorate the Whitmore family’s financial strain (exacerbated by all of those doctor visits). As Max chronicles John’s loving relationship with his wife, Amanda, the narrator himself stumbles into an understated romance with endocrinologist Dr. Jessica Merriwether. John’s candor and approachability make him a perfect choice to support a political candidate’s campaign. It’s hardly surprising that, given the country’s political polarization, he receives some backlash—but that negativity may hit someone close to John in ways that no one could anticipate. Tarulli’s satire casts a wide net: While the author merely pokes fun at such topics as wokeness and contemporary youth culture, he scathingly derides numerous other subjects, including exorbitant medical costs, politicians, and the media in general. The story, however, maintains a lightheartedness throughout; John’s sense of humor rarely falters, as evidenced by his frequent banter with Max. The latter’s narration blends welcome insight with a sometimes-awkward use of slang (he describes a devious TV host “throwing enough shade to darken the planet”). This good-natured, relatively short novel, which gradually shifts focus from physical changes to metaphorical growth, builds to an ending that befits its overall tone.

An engaging, compact story of the merits and many downsides to fame.