Thinner by Stephen King (written as Richard Bachman)
1984 / 442 pgs. (95,716 words) Horror

The premise of Thinner centers on William “Billy” Halleck, an overweight lawyer who kills an old Gypsy woman in a driving accident. When Halleck uses his connections to avoid legal consequences, the woman’s elderly father deems it unjust and places a curse on him: “Thinner.” The novel chronicles Billy’s terrifyingly rapid weight loss and the looming question of whether the curse will prove fatal.

While the plot’s predictability, especially towards the conclusion, is a minor drawback, it doesn’t completely detract from the story. Reading it prompts relatable thoughts: rapid, unexplained weight loss in a loved one would likely first suggest cancer, and claims of a “Gypsy curse” might be dismissed as denial. Much of the narrative telegraphs future events, including the ending.

So, is Thinner a bad book? Not at all. I’d still recommend it if asked, though it wouldn’t make my personal list of top Stephen King novels. Its somewhat foreseeable nature prevents it from being a completely captivating read, slightly diminishing its ‘getaway novel’ appeal.

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!

Lopaka

Interesting Notes:

Recognizing the Gypsy curse as a common storytelling device (a trope), I immediately thought of Sideshow Bob shouting “Trope Alert!” in a Simpsons‘ Halloween special.