The novel "Thinner," written by Stephen King under the pen name Richard Bachman, explores the life of Billy Halleck, a lawyer who becomes unusually thin after a chance encounter. After hitting an elderly gypsy woman with his car, Billy experiences a curse placed upon him, causing him to lose weight uncontrollably. His desperate struggle against the curse leads him to confront the consequences of his actions and the supernatural forces at play. As his life spirals out of control, he becomes increasingly obsessed with his plight.
Throughout the narrative, themes of guilt, revenge, and the unpredictability of fate are prevalent. Billy’s transformation from a privileged lawyer to a desperate man fighting for his life serves as a critique of societal values regarding body image and self-worth. The reader witnesses his gradual descent into paranoia and dread as he attempts to reverse the curse, confronting both the supernatural and his own morality.