“There are, of course, fat characters in books out there, some of them quite enduring and famous. But they tend to be creatures of young-adult or commercial fiction.”

Canadian author, freelance journalist and critic

Michelle Dean is a Canadian author, freelance journalist, and critic. She writes on literature, culture, and ideas, and her work has appeared across a range of publications. Her writing is known for close reading and clear judgment, with a focus on the people and arguments that shape contemporary literary life. She has built a body of work that moves between journalism and criticism.