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The Fat Man
In 1933, Herbert Muskie returns to his rundown hometown of Loomis, New Zealand, and uses a combination of cunning and psychological threats to take control of the lives of twelve-year-old Colin Potter and his family. Reprint.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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About the author
Maurice Gee
45 books108 followersMaurice Gough Gee was a New Zealand novelist. He was one of New Zealand's most distinguished and prolific authors, having written over thirty novels for adults and children, and having won numerous awards both in New Zealand and overseas, including multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in the UK, the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, the Robert Burns Fellowship and a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. In 2003 he was recognised as one of New Zealand's greatest living artists across all disciplines by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, which presented him with an Icon Award.
Gee's novel Plumb (1978) was described by the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature to be one of the best novels ever written in New Zealand. He was also well-known for children's and young adult fiction such as Under the Mountain (1979). He won multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and in 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Margaret Mahy Award by the Children's Literature Foundation in recognition of his contributions to children's literature.
Gee's novel Plumb (1978) was described by the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature to be one of the best novels ever written in New Zealand. He was also well-known for children's and young adult fiction such as Under the Mountain (1979). He won multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and in 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Margaret Mahy Award by the Children's Literature Foundation in recognition of his contributions to children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 4, 2023
definitely something i wouldn’t have picked up had it not been for uni but i enjoyed it a lot more than i was expecting.
January 19, 2019
I wrote a review as part of a university course so I'll attach that here:
The Fat Man by Maurice Gee is not your typical young adult novel. It contains adult themes such as violence that may frighten younger readers. The novel is about a boy named Colin Potter who encounters Herbert Muskie or ‘The Fat Man’, a psychopathic figure. When Colin steals and eats his chocolate bar, Muskie forces Colin to help him steal and abuses him when he tries to run. Muskie then returns to get revenge on Colin’s parents for bullying him in high school, which ends with him kidnapping Colin and his own stepdaughter. However, it all ends for The Fat Man when he asks Colin to cut the rope on a wooden beam, falling to his death. This all seems pretty dramatic but could still theoretically happen in real life. Therefore, the realism of the novel makes it far more controversial in its appropriateness for young readers.
Some might say that The Fat Man is too explicitly violent for children. They might say that children can’t handle such explicit violence. What I say is that children encounter violence in different forms every day. No, they may not get kidnapped by a psychopathic man seeking revenge for those who bullied him in school (in the case of Colin). At the same time, they may very well experience something like that. Adults like to believe that children should never have to experience violence, but sadly, some do. After Colin’s violent encounter with The Fat Man, Colin has recurring nightmares about him: “When people like Herbert Muskie take up residence in your mind, there’s nothing you can do to get them out." When Muskie turns up at his house one day, he vomits out of panic. Like any adult, he experiences trauma after being abused and kidnapped by Muskie. The novel is showing that the after-trauma can be of greater affect than the actual violence. Therefore, children know what it is to be afraid, even if they haven’t experienced violence. By the end of the novel, Colin could have escaped from Muskie as his hostage, but instead assists in his ultimate escape. I think the novel says a great deal about facing and overcoming your greatest fears, which is a valuable lesson for children to learn.
A lot of adults think that children are completely ignorant about the real world. However, in The Fat Man, Colin knows Herbert Muskie’s true colours, while his parents initially don’t. He’s had a scary encounter with The Fat Man and is too afraid to tell his parents about it. Despite this, Colin begins to realise the real reason Muskie has suddenly become a part of their lives: “Yes, Dad, Colin wanted to say, keep away from him, he’s after us." Even though Colin is only eleven years old, he is not ignorant of bad people in the world. Even fairy-tales that very young children read have evil villains in them. Colin views Herbert as a kind of monster whom is everywhere, even after he has escaped from him: “But they’re always there, they’ll always come out, even when you’re sure they’ve left the district." However, Herbert is not just a villain in a fictional fairy tale world but a very real and very dangerous man. This novel is simply taking the idea of the fairy-tale villain and putting it into a realistic setting to show children that these kinds of people do exist in the world.
To me, this novel is making a statement about the sad realities of life. Set in The Great Depression in the 1930’s, it is clear Colin’s family does not have a lot. He goes to school barefoot and his family has very small meals. In contrast, Herbert has his own car, plenty to eat and constantly buys the Potters gifts. It seems he has a tonne of money to throw around, which is pretty unusual for the time period. When children read this, they can learn that the good people don’t always get what they want. Sometimes it’s the people that least deserve it that have it all. In Muskie’s case, however, he’s probably only rich because he stole sovereigns from his own mother. Still, he uses his wealth to wiggle his way into the Potters’ lives. He lures Colin’s father, Laurie, with offering him wages for renovation work and gives Colin’s mother oranges, which he knows she loves but can’t afford to get. Even though she is suspicious of him, she cannot help but accept as “we haven’t had oranges for years." The Fat Man is able to control Colin’s family with his wealth, as Laurie keeps tagging along with him in the hopes of further employment. This shows children that poverty was and still is a serious issue and can influence the decisions people make. Herbert Muskie even kills his mother who wouldn’t stop searching for her stolen sovereigns, which he himself stole. This shows children that bad people don’t just do bad things for no reason; there’s often a deeper reason as many are greed-driven.
Overall, The Fat Man is a mature view into the bigger societal issues such as violence and poverty. While it can be heavy handed, younger readers learn much more about the real world than they arguably would reading an unrealistic fantasy novel, for example. While many novels can teach children basic lessons like believing in yourself, Gee’s novel depicts a young boy who has to quickly learn to face his fears when the ones he loves are in danger. I think that this kind of lesson is much more important for children who will one day grow up and face the world. They need to believe in themselves but they also need to know that the world is not perfect; they are living in a world where things like poverty and violence are serious problems. Young people need to read this novel to be wary of the darker parts of reality so they can grow up equipped to brave whatever is out there.
The Fat Man by Maurice Gee is not your typical young adult novel. It contains adult themes such as violence that may frighten younger readers. The novel is about a boy named Colin Potter who encounters Herbert Muskie or ‘The Fat Man’, a psychopathic figure. When Colin steals and eats his chocolate bar, Muskie forces Colin to help him steal and abuses him when he tries to run. Muskie then returns to get revenge on Colin’s parents for bullying him in high school, which ends with him kidnapping Colin and his own stepdaughter. However, it all ends for The Fat Man when he asks Colin to cut the rope on a wooden beam, falling to his death. This all seems pretty dramatic but could still theoretically happen in real life. Therefore, the realism of the novel makes it far more controversial in its appropriateness for young readers.
Some might say that The Fat Man is too explicitly violent for children. They might say that children can’t handle such explicit violence. What I say is that children encounter violence in different forms every day. No, they may not get kidnapped by a psychopathic man seeking revenge for those who bullied him in school (in the case of Colin). At the same time, they may very well experience something like that. Adults like to believe that children should never have to experience violence, but sadly, some do. After Colin’s violent encounter with The Fat Man, Colin has recurring nightmares about him: “When people like Herbert Muskie take up residence in your mind, there’s nothing you can do to get them out." When Muskie turns up at his house one day, he vomits out of panic. Like any adult, he experiences trauma after being abused and kidnapped by Muskie. The novel is showing that the after-trauma can be of greater affect than the actual violence. Therefore, children know what it is to be afraid, even if they haven’t experienced violence. By the end of the novel, Colin could have escaped from Muskie as his hostage, but instead assists in his ultimate escape. I think the novel says a great deal about facing and overcoming your greatest fears, which is a valuable lesson for children to learn.
A lot of adults think that children are completely ignorant about the real world. However, in The Fat Man, Colin knows Herbert Muskie’s true colours, while his parents initially don’t. He’s had a scary encounter with The Fat Man and is too afraid to tell his parents about it. Despite this, Colin begins to realise the real reason Muskie has suddenly become a part of their lives: “Yes, Dad, Colin wanted to say, keep away from him, he’s after us." Even though Colin is only eleven years old, he is not ignorant of bad people in the world. Even fairy-tales that very young children read have evil villains in them. Colin views Herbert as a kind of monster whom is everywhere, even after he has escaped from him: “But they’re always there, they’ll always come out, even when you’re sure they’ve left the district." However, Herbert is not just a villain in a fictional fairy tale world but a very real and very dangerous man. This novel is simply taking the idea of the fairy-tale villain and putting it into a realistic setting to show children that these kinds of people do exist in the world.
To me, this novel is making a statement about the sad realities of life. Set in The Great Depression in the 1930’s, it is clear Colin’s family does not have a lot. He goes to school barefoot and his family has very small meals. In contrast, Herbert has his own car, plenty to eat and constantly buys the Potters gifts. It seems he has a tonne of money to throw around, which is pretty unusual for the time period. When children read this, they can learn that the good people don’t always get what they want. Sometimes it’s the people that least deserve it that have it all. In Muskie’s case, however, he’s probably only rich because he stole sovereigns from his own mother. Still, he uses his wealth to wiggle his way into the Potters’ lives. He lures Colin’s father, Laurie, with offering him wages for renovation work and gives Colin’s mother oranges, which he knows she loves but can’t afford to get. Even though she is suspicious of him, she cannot help but accept as “we haven’t had oranges for years." The Fat Man is able to control Colin’s family with his wealth, as Laurie keeps tagging along with him in the hopes of further employment. This shows children that poverty was and still is a serious issue and can influence the decisions people make. Herbert Muskie even kills his mother who wouldn’t stop searching for her stolen sovereigns, which he himself stole. This shows children that bad people don’t just do bad things for no reason; there’s often a deeper reason as many are greed-driven.
Overall, The Fat Man is a mature view into the bigger societal issues such as violence and poverty. While it can be heavy handed, younger readers learn much more about the real world than they arguably would reading an unrealistic fantasy novel, for example. While many novels can teach children basic lessons like believing in yourself, Gee’s novel depicts a young boy who has to quickly learn to face his fears when the ones he loves are in danger. I think that this kind of lesson is much more important for children who will one day grow up and face the world. They need to believe in themselves but they also need to know that the world is not perfect; they are living in a world where things like poverty and violence are serious problems. Young people need to read this novel to be wary of the darker parts of reality so they can grow up equipped to brave whatever is out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2017
This book is daaaaaark. And I was expecting it to be lighthearted as, lol.
August 27, 2013
I didn't like it at all.
August 20, 2025
Read this for a uni class. Mildly interesting but literally filled with fatphobic rhetoric - but this is unsurprising.
June 10, 2024
yes i’m counting the book we’re reading in english i’m desperate
May 29, 2015
Set in tough times (1930-40’s) Colin Potter is on his way to his grandmother’s. He takes a shortcut down the river and comes across a fat man washing in the creek. He has built himself a hut on the riverbank and has his belongings inside. When Colin takes some chocolate from the hut he is caught! The fat man is frightening, forcing Colin to steal something in payment for the chocolate. But that is only the beginning. The stranger soon has others under his control, including Colin's parents. How are they going to escape him?
Maurice Gee is one of NZ's master storytellers. Have read this twice and enjoyed it even more the second time. Easy reading, cleverly constructed plot, action packed ending – would make a great movie.
Maurice Gee is one of NZ's master storytellers. Have read this twice and enjoyed it even more the second time. Easy reading, cleverly constructed plot, action packed ending – would make a great movie.
October 25, 2017
I read this for my YA Fiction class, and found it to be a bit creepy for my tastes. While the writing style is very good and the suspense is built beautifully, I found myself very uncomfortable while reader and ready for it to end.
For someone who enjoys creepy/scary/horror stories, I think this would be a great read! Personally, however, I don't like scary stories and am glad to be done with it.
For someone who enjoys creepy/scary/horror stories, I think this would be a great read! Personally, however, I don't like scary stories and am glad to be done with it.
September 18, 2017
Maybe an educational book when it was first published in 1994, but not one I would encourage my child to read today. Mostly because of the violence throughout the novel, even in the resolution. Had the book not had such a violent ending I may think differently. I also don't like the evil and greedy connotations it places on a person that is 'fat'.
January 15, 2021
As an English teacher in NZ, this is largely a ‘must-read’. I was a little disappointed with the book as it has been lauded as one of the great YA texts produced in NZ. The writing lacked Gee’s normal depth (perhaps due to the expected audience) but it also didn’t have the page turning element that I wanted from this author.
I’m glad I read it, but it won’t go down as a classic for me.
I’m glad I read it, but it won’t go down as a classic for me.
February 17, 2023
Struggled through this, I just could not connect with any of the characters and the plot was quite bad (first couple of chapters were good but that was it). I get that it’s a kids book and I am an adult but this isn’t something I’ll be teaching my students :/
September 13, 2023
Had to read for uni
Was a quick read and a little bit funny. It also got worrying at times as the main characters motives were often confusing. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t memorable. Only reason I finished it so fast is cuz it was so short and storyline kept moving fast
Was a quick read and a little bit funny. It also got worrying at times as the main characters motives were often confusing. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t memorable. Only reason I finished it so fast is cuz it was so short and storyline kept moving fast
December 12, 2017
This is a very emotional tale of a young fats mans journey to find a woman that loves him in the end he finally does and gets with 20 girls in 1 hour it’s quite and inspirational book
May 6, 2021
Why did someone think it would be a good idea to write/publish this lmao?
2 stars for some interesting narration here and there
2 stars for some interesting narration here and there
July 8, 2023
Quite a disturbing book. Reveals the power of words and actions and how mistreating others, even as children, has such a detrimental effect…you reap what you sow.
January 31, 2024
Interesting as a period piece. The end was fine but the two pages after explaining about the side characters, didn’t make a ton of sense.
January 30, 2026
I was forced to read this in English class. There was some good stuff in this book but the ending was trash
June 10, 2023
When Colin first meets the fat man (Herbert), he is stealing a piece of his chocolate. Because of this, the fat man forces him to commit a robbery with him. Colin is terrified of him, so when he shows up again at Colin's grandfather's boarding house, he gets a sick feeling. Suddenly, Laurie and Maisie are taken in by Herbert. Only Colin seems to understand that the fat man isn't what he seems, but instead is staging a revenge plot because of what happened to him when he was "the fat boy" at Loomis School. To make matters more threatening, Colin has fallen in love with Verna (the fat man's step daughter) and now he must worry about her, as well. When Verna tells Colin that Herbie plans to kick her mother out and marry another woman (as soon as he takes care of the husband), Colin knows his mother and father are in danger and he must do something.
I like the character of Colin, who feels powerless to combat the evil of the fat man but is still compelled to do something. The flash forward writing style with the accompanying "But we'll come back to the later..." is an interesting technique.
I like the character of Colin, who feels powerless to combat the evil of the fat man but is still compelled to do something. The flash forward writing style with the accompanying "But we'll come back to the later..." is an interesting technique.
August 7, 2009
This was described on the flap as a "psychological thriller" which may be overstating it a little but it still was very good and kept me reading because I knew the guy was going to do something bad to these people who had bullied him in their youth but I couldn't figure out what he was going to do and how he was going to tie their child into the plot. The ending was a surprise and I wasn't sure I had figured it out right, so I made Mike read it to explain it to me. He zipped through it, liking it very much too, and came to the same conclusion on the ending as I but also was unsure if we're right. Let me know what you think!
September 9, 2022
Honestly one of my favorite books I've ever read. As someone who is not a New Zealander (or a child), I was surprised that this was such a compelling and relatable read for me.
Every character feels so real and natural in the way that they interact with each other. Because it's through the main characters perspective, it's rare to actually see how others engage with each other but thanks how well everyone was written, it's easy to imagine.
The suspense and stakes really do mound with each passing chapter and is only accentuated by all of the characters. Seriously the best domestic horror/thriller I've read a long time.
Every character feels so real and natural in the way that they interact with each other. Because it's through the main characters perspective, it's rare to actually see how others engage with each other but thanks how well everyone was written, it's easy to imagine.
The suspense and stakes really do mound with each passing chapter and is only accentuated by all of the characters. Seriously the best domestic horror/thriller I've read a long time.
October 23, 2008
The fat man held a grudge for 13 years. When he decides to come back to his hometown to even the score, he involves Colin, the son of his school-yard nemesis. No one knows what evil the fat man has planned but Colin, and he is too frightened to tell anyone. The Fat Man, by Maurice Gee is a short novel that will keep you engrossed in the fate of the townspeople of Loomis, New Zealand.
February 13, 2016
So this was a novel I had to read for school. It was a little strange.
There's a Fatman who was bullied as a child and basically he turns out being a kind of psycho who aims to get back revenge on those who bullied him as a child. Yeah there were some sad parts, especially the second to last chapter. There were some parts that confused me. It was an OK book.
There's a Fatman who was bullied as a child and basically he turns out being a kind of psycho who aims to get back revenge on those who bullied him as a child. Yeah there were some sad parts, especially the second to last chapter. There were some parts that confused me. It was an OK book.
March 26, 2015
Good NZ author, a very dark novel (especially for children). I enjoyed it, but didn't quite sympathise with the fat man as much as Gee wanted me to. We all have our bullying issues throughout childhood, but as some point we should rise above it - unlike the fat man.
January 30, 2010
I really liked this book.It was really intense.
October 4, 2010
Came across this looking for books from New Zealand. This was apparently controversial due to its violence, though he is well regarded as a NZ writer. I found it too creepy.
Read
August 4, 2011My favourite NZ author. This book is well written, but in my opinion not as satisfying as Under The Mountain.
August 24, 2011
I remember reading this and thinking it was the most confusing and weird story I've ever read in my life.
January 29, 2012
I read this for a history project freshman year. It is very suspenseful and original. The ending was unexpected, I figured the Fat Man would die, but not the way he did. I thought it was okay.
July 31, 2015
I thought it was a pretty good book because it has a good setting in Auckland + Loomis and also has a really good effect on how Herbet Muskie got into conflict with the Potters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews