Chunk

by Brian Donovan

Brian Donovan, author of the bestselling Kindle Single “Not a My True Tales of Online Dating Disasters,” returns with a hilarious glimpse into yet another struggle faced by losing weight. Chunk follows him along his crazy, overweight journey; from the chubby 10-year old who stole brownies and tricked his parents into thinking he’d lost weight, to the teenage boy who made regular after-school plans to eat entire pies, to the adult man who still hates working out and still loves Cinnabons. It’s a bracingly funny and delightfully uncomfortable collection of essays exploring food, fitness, and the funny things that happen when we try to slim down and grow up. Brian Donovan has written for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, National Public Radio, and, most recently, ABC’s The Neighbors. His work has also appeared on Chapelle’s Show, Funny or Die, and Off Broadway in New York City. His “Not a My True Tales of Online Dating Disasters” is currently being developed for television.Cover design by Adil Dara.

Genres: Nonfiction

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2015

About the author

Brian Donovan has written for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, National Public Radio, and, most recently, ABC’s The Neighbors. His work has also appeared on Chapelle’s Show, Funny or Die, and Off Broadway in New York City. His “Not a Match: My True Tales of Online Dating Disasters” is currently being developed for television.

Reviews

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Stuff...but wish for more

I actually wish that this were more than a kindle single - it was entertaining enough that I laughed out loud several times. I connected with so many of his experiences and feelings. But it just kind of...ended. I would have liked more detail on how he lost the weight, got a girlfriend...but he finished with a memorable event that didn't really provide enough closure for me.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Quick Hilarious Read

I literally laughed out loud more times than I can count. The stories he recounts and the way he cheated the scale, priceless! He was upfront and open about his weight issues and the struggle to lose it.

[Joanne R. Lesher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny!

I had never read him before but I'm glad my kindle recommend "Chunk" it was well done and hilarious I plan to read more

[Cam31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny, moving, and very recognizable for anyone who has struggled with their weight.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was SO funny.

[James Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

This mini-book served its purpose as something light and relatively mindless to read right before bed. While it was enjoyable, it wasn't particularly clever in its humor - jokes followed a traditional setup with tried and true punchlines. There was a tinge of sadness as the author recounts his folks errant attempts to shape his...shall we say *complicated* relationship with food. We are reminded that it is not just women who can become obsessed with body image. In fact, it reminded me of the school yard bullies who peppered me with a relatively minor (non-physical) but constant flow of insults. At the time, I thought I learned to tune it out but that sort of stuff sticks with you - I mean apparently it does, since this book seems to have resurfaced some of that nonsense. Anyhow, in the end this provided moderate levels of entertainment and more than anything, I really find this the short format interesting. In the interest of encouraging writers and readers to explore the creative possibilities in this new space between short story and full length book (made possible by digital distribution) this is ultimately a very low stakes gamble. It was enough fun to warrant the couple bucks and 45 sleepy minutes I spent reading it.

[Sneha Bollepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious quick read.

Every overweight person can completely relate to this and any other regular person will enjoy this short read.

It's short and simple funny tale.

[Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describes most of my adolescent life pretty accurately.

[Jeff Prunkard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bored me to death. Too much hyperbole, and read like a blog post (which I found out later it was a series of). Just too much smarmy for me... I had to bail halfway through...

[NoraJLeSueur · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very readable

I was looking for a romantic comedy, and got something else. I was not looking for a book on how someone felt about being overweight.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely understand the struggle from the author, losing weight. The struggle is real. This one was pretty funny, wish there was a bit more.