Keelan Cavanaugh is fat. That’s why the government put him in prison.

They placed him in a Calorie Reduction Centre (CRC), where trained staff work to help him and many others slim down. Well, that was the intention, anyway. The powers that be had decided chubby citizens must either go there or lose their health care coverage.

When he meets Jacinda Williams, an activist lawyer researching this new system, Keelan is more determined than ever to slim down. But Keelan discovers losing weight is more difficult than it seems, especially when he also has to fight against a ridiculous bureaucracy and policy wonks with hidden agendas. Can he succeed, and will the CRC-crossed lovers ever sit at love’s banquet together?

From award-winning author Mark A. Rayner, The Fatness is a dark comedy that satires socialism, capitalism, and the so-called “obesity epidemic”. This is Catch-22 for a new generation, with a distinctly tender undertone, even as it mercilessly spoofs the establishment.

IPBA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Humor (silver), 2018
IndieReader Discovery Award for Best Humor, 2018

★★★★★ “THE FATNESS is a story of socialism gone wrong is set amid a plausible backdrop with witty characters who will steal your heart and, snag your cheeseburger if you’re not careful.”
~IndieReader.com

★★★★★ “Food for thought dished out in one of the funniest novels to come around.”
~San Francisco Review of Books

★★★★★ “LOVED this book. It was funny, sweet, scary and absolutely charming. It dealt with the horror of fat phobia and discrimination sensitively and directly. Read it – you too will love it.” ~Amazon Reviewer

★★★★ “When first diving in, I wasn’t sure to expect. I was a bit leery due this being classified as satire; I tend to not enjoy satirical stories. However, I was pleasantly surprised while reading. To be honest, I didn’t find much of the content humorous. It had more of a sad undertone, but still fairly light, if that makes sense.” ~Heidi N.

★★★★★ “I love this book. It is funny, satirical and inspiring with a little bit of suspense. Most importantly, for a portly person like myself, I find it very relatable.” ~Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ “At times this book was hilarious, and at others, it was all too real. This is a biting satire focusing on everything from governmental control to private healthcare to corporate greed to societal norms. You do not have to be an individual who has struggled with their weight to enjoy this book, but those of us that have ever fallen into the 30+ “bimmi” category with certainly identify with Keelan and company.” ~Kyle E.

“Rayner’s satire is best read without a lot of preconceived notions. His work is never boring, often surprising and always memorable. I don’t know of anyone writing fiction today that’s quite like his.” ~Lisa Brandt