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The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

January 21, 2009 by Dawn

To give a synopsis of this story seems quite daunting to me, as the complexities of the novel are hardly recognized in a few sentences. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, the debut novel by Tiffany Baker, is a story that follows the arc of a woman’s life from birth to middle age, but in no way is that life typical. The story is often painful, the characters are frequently harsh and hurtful, but the voice of the protagonist is a quiet and quite unassuming one, even though her person is literally larger than life. Yes, this is a story of a giant.

At least that’s what Truly Plaice is told as a five year old by her astounded teacher as the only possible explanation for her much-larger-than-normal body– “You’re a little giant!” She proceeds to live her life trying to fade into the background, which as you can imagine is more than a little difficult. The cast of characters stays small in Truly’s life, since she never leaves her small town, and she suffers the indignities of essentially being the town freak. But, throughout the various hardships she has to endure, she does just that. She endures.

I found there to be an almost magical tone to this novel, even though it takes place firmly in a realistic setting of a small New York town, beginning in the 1950’s. Perhaps it was the lyrical quality of the language– when Truly expressed her feelings, I found myself going back to underline passages and dog-ear the pages. The novel moves along at a perfect pace, and I easily tore through the book in two days, which can be quite a feat for a mom with three young children!

I could have done with a bit of a difference at the end– one plot twist simply seemed too unjust for Truly– but all in all, this was a magnificent debut novel, and I wholeheartedly look forward to Ms. Baker’s next offering.

Would you like to win one of four copies of this new novel? Please leave a comment here, and we’ll announce the winners on January 28 when we announce our next giveaway. This is open to U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses and is void where prohibited.

Don’t miss future reviews and giveaways. Subscribe to our feed.

The winner of last week’s book The Book Tree is #59 Megret.

This unique novel has been included on our list of 5 Star Reads.

Guest reviewer Dawn blogs at my thoughts exactly while keeping up with three wacky kids.

Filed Under: 5 Star Reads, Dawn, Fiction, Literary

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Comments

  1. Michele says

    January 21, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    Sounds interesting…count me in!

  2. Heather G. says

    January 21, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    This book sounds interesting, and I’d love to see if it fits our book club. Count me in the contest!

  3. Amy says

    January 21, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    Sounds like a good one–sign me up!

  4. Laura says

    January 21, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    I was just looking at this one in the bookstore the other day – it sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for running the contest!

  5. Carol M says

    January 21, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win this book! It looks good!

  6. Carrie K. says

    January 21, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    I’ve been seeing great reviews of this everywhere – please throw my name in the hat.

  7. Kim says

    January 21, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    This sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it.

  8. Rachel Langston says

    January 21, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    Sounds like I would enjoy this very much. Add my name to the list for the drawing.

    Thanks,
    Rachel Langston

  9. angie says

    January 21, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    This sounds like a great book!

  10. Lori says

    January 21, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    I’m intrigued — I’d love to win a copy! Thank you —

  11. Anita Yancey says

    January 21, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Great write up on the book. It really makes me feel sorry for Truly. I would love to read this touching story.
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  12. Jen says

    January 21, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Uh-oh, sounds like it might make me cry!! Sounds just like the sort of book I’d love…

  13. Kaycee says

    January 21, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Sounds fun- count me in!

    kayceewilliams at gmail dot com

  14. sarah b says

    January 21, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    i would love to read this!

  15. Denise says

    January 22, 2009 at 5:39 am

    This sounds like fun to read!

  16. Karen E says

    January 22, 2009 at 7:17 am

    I ordered this for my library and it has already flown off of the shelves. I can’t wait to read it!

  17. Samara says

    January 22, 2009 at 7:35 am

    I would love to read this one. I was actually looking for a review on it so thank you for your timely review and for the giveaway. =)

  18. Roseann Kies says

    January 22, 2009 at 8:25 am

    I’d love to read this book. thanks!

  19. Karen N says

    January 22, 2009 at 8:35 am

    This sounds interesting! Looks like a new addition to my must read list thanks for the review and chance to win!!

  20. Michael Capp says

    January 22, 2009 at 9:03 am

    I’d love to win!

  21. randi oaklief says

    January 22, 2009 at 9:06 am

    I’ve read lots of good reviews & would love to read it!

  22. Helen says

    January 22, 2009 at 9:10 am

    All books are welcome in my house.

  23. edj says

    January 22, 2009 at 9:15 am

    Sounds intriguing! I have an Oregon address. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks

  24. Nicole C. says

    January 22, 2009 at 9:26 am

    I’ve been wanting to read this book! It sounds great!!

  25. kay says

    January 22, 2009 at 10:10 am

    sounds like a great read, thanks for the contest!

  26. Valerie says

    January 22, 2009 at 10:43 am

    sounds like a good read

  27. Jen S. says

    January 22, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    Seems interesting. Thanks for the giveaway – please count me in.

  28. Brenda says

    January 22, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Have seen great reviews on this book, would truly like to read, thanks for the giveawy

  29. c. clemens says

    January 22, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Hi, enter me please ~~~~~ THANKSSS

  30. Ginny says

    January 22, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    I’d like to be entered

  31. Ginny says

    January 22, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    subscriber

  32. dorothy latimer says

    January 22, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    looks like an interesting read..please enter me in your contest

  33. Gina Stratos says

    January 22, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Looks good to me….
    [email protected]

  34. Tom says

    January 22, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    Sounds like a great book!

  35. janeh says

    January 22, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Interesting subject matter…sounds fascinating!

  36. michele anne says

    January 22, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Sounds like a great giveaway……….I would really like to win

  37. adrienne Gordon says

    January 22, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    books are great

  38. sandy says

    January 22, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    would love to read

  39. MJ says

    January 22, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    I’d love to read this.

  40. Donna R says

    January 22, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    I’d love to win this prize. thanks for the contest.

  41. Paula says

    January 22, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Have heard nothing but good things about this book so please count me in.

  42. Linda Howard says

    January 22, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Please enter me. Thanks!

  43. Lorri S says

    January 22, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    This sounds like a good book. Would love to read it 🙂

  44. Kristine says

    January 22, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    Love to read books like this one. Thank you for the contest.

  45. Susan Smith says

    January 22, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    Sounds like a good book

  46. shannon Baas says

    January 22, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Looks good.

  47. christopher h says

    January 22, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    love to win this

  48. Anne says

    January 22, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    I’d love to win and read this book; it sounds really interesting.

    Thanks

  49. susan varney says

    January 22, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    i’d love to read this book

  50. Renee C. says

    January 22, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    My “must reads” gets longer every time I look at this website. Thanks so much for the information and the chance to win this book, it sounds like one that really explores humanity and all of its good and all of its flaws.

    rmc1raataoldotcom

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