One Fat Summer
One Fat Summer is a teen drama novel written by American author Robert Lipsyte, published in 1977. In 2018, the novel was adapt into the motion picture, titled Measure of a Man, starring Blake Cooper, Donald Sutherland, Luke Wilson and Judy Greer and was distributed by Great Point Media.
 First edition | |
| Author | Robert Lipsyte |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Teen drama |
| Publisher | Harper & Row |
Publication date | 1977 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-0-064-47073-5 |
Plot
No summer vacation could be less promising than Bobby Marks's.
Bobby Marks hates hot weather. It's the time when most people are happy to take off their heavy jackets and long pants. But for Bobby, who can't even button the waist of his jeans or reach over his belly to touch his toes, spending the summer at Rumson Lake is pure torture.
This particular summer promises to be worse than usual. His mom and dad can't stop fighting. His best friend, Joanie, goes home to New York City unexpectedly and won't tell him why. Dr. Kahn, the rich, stingy estate owner who hires him to manage the lawn, is trying to work Bobby to death before he can earn a single dime. And the local guy who worked for Dr. Kahn last summer is lurking around every corner, itching for a chance to catch Bobby alone, to pay him back for stealing the job.
But there's more to Bobby Marks than his 200 pounds. He's about to find out just how terrifying and exhilarating, how dangerous and wonderful, one fat summer can be.
Characters
- Bobby Marks – A fourteen-year-old boy experiences a turningpoint summer in which he learns to stand up for himself.
- Dr. Kahn – An estate owner who hires Bobby to manage the lawn.
- Lenore Marks – Bobby's mother.
- Marty Marks – Bobby's father.
- Joanie Williams – Bobby's friend.
Reception
Released in 1977, the novel has earned a place on lists of top books compiled by the American Library Association and The New York Times, and been a favorite of many adolescents and teachers.[1] Writer Judy Blume, another writer of books for young people and also friend of the author, said: "I know he [Mr. Lipsyte] would never write anything that didn't come from deep inside him, where the best books come from".
Film adaptation
In June 2015, director Jim Loach started pre-production for the film with screenwriter David Scearce, who wrote the screenplay, based on Robert Lipsyte's novel. The film went into production several months later when Donald Sutherland and The Maze Runner star Blake Cooper joined the cast on September 23, 2015.[2] Sutherland plays Dr. Kahn, and Blake Cooper plays character Bobby.[3] On October 5, 2015, Judy Greer and Luke Wilson joined the film alongside Sutherland and Cooper,[4] to play Bobby's parents.[5] The film was released on May 11, 2018.
References
- "A 1977 Comes Under Scrutiny". June 8, 1997.
- "Donald Sutherland to Star in Indie 'Measure of a Man'". September 23, 2016.
- "Donald Sutherland Takes 'Measure Of A Man'; Indie Shoots In Rhode Island". September 23, 2016.
- "Judy Greer And Luke Wilson Find Measure Of A Man". October 6, 2015.
- "Luke Wilson & Judy Greer Join 'Measure Of A Man'". October 5, 2015.