Wersba skillfully weaves together setting, characters, and plot with the themes of friendship, self-esteem, selfidentity, class structure, and universal benevolence. In addition, she uses a variety of other literary techniques, including allusion, metaphor, and symbolism.

Allusions to classic pieces of writing put Fat in the context of a broad literary tradition, and Wersba places these allusions in the appealing character of Arnold Bromberg. Arnold cites philosophers like Spinoza, Heidegger, and Jung, and he mentions Isak Dinesen as his favorite author. When Rita wonders what to do about Robert Swann, Arnold reads the whole of Hamlet to her over the phone. He quotes T. S. Eliot as he and Rita sit by the ocean talking about friendship and life. Even if the reader is unfamiliar with such references, they add richness and depth to the novel, and they can create an impetus for further reading.

Wersba likewise...