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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. Darcy says

    January 22, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  2. Francine Anchondo says

    January 22, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    I would love to read this :).

  3. Rodney K says

    January 22, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    Hope I win thanks.

  4. Tina L says

    January 22, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Sounds like a good book. I’d like to win.

  5. Robert A. Piacquad says

    January 22, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    I hope I win the Book.

  6. Gabriel J. says

    January 22, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.

  7. Kenneth Helmick says

    January 22, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    Enter me.

  8. Renee G says

    January 23, 2009 at 12:27 am

    I’d love to read this.

  9. Laura Collins says

    January 23, 2009 at 12:34 am

    would love to read this

  10. Laura Collins says

    January 23, 2009 at 12:34 am

    would love to read

  11. Rebecca Graham says

    January 23, 2009 at 1:42 am

    I saw this book at Barnes and Noble today and it looks very interesting!

  12. Stephen Saunders says

    January 23, 2009 at 2:47 am

    Happy new year! lil late for that isn’t it… 😉

  13. Carol Lawrence says

    January 23, 2009 at 3:31 am

    After reading your review I am really interested in reading the book myself.

  14. Dove420 says

    January 23, 2009 at 3:50 am

    sounds like an interesting read

  15. Belinda says

    January 23, 2009 at 4:14 am

    This sounds like a unique book. Thanks for the chance to win it.

  16. Tracey Byram says

    January 23, 2009 at 8:42 am

    I’ve heard so much about about what a great book this is. I’d love to get my hands on it.

  17. Susan C says

    January 23, 2009 at 8:45 am

    This sounds like a wonderful story-please enter me!

  18. Leona P says

    January 23, 2009 at 8:52 am

    please enter me

  19. Katrina (Callapidder Days) says

    January 23, 2009 at 11:03 am

    Sounds interesting, and a little outside my “normal” reading. Please enter me.

  20. sarah says

    January 23, 2009 at 11:51 am

    enter me!

  21. Fresh Girl says

    January 23, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    I read about this book somewhere else recently and thought it sounded right up my alley. I’d love to win it! 🙂

  22. Tarah says

    January 23, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    I’ve been hearing a lot about this book, I would love to read it!

  23. Angela J says

    January 23, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    Looks like a good one to read

  24. Zoly says

    January 23, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    Sounds interesting.

  25. Gwen L says

    January 23, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    I’m glad I stopped by and read the synopsis. This book sounds much more interesting than I’d imagined from the title alone. Please enter me to win.

  26. Don says

    January 23, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Looks like a good read.

  27. Linda Chaput says

    January 23, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    I just subscribed.

  28. Sharon H says

    January 23, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    All of the reviews of this have really piqued my interest.Thanks for the chance to win!

  29. Karissa says

    January 23, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    looks really interesting! please enter me! thanks!

  30. Andria says

    January 23, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

  31. Occupation: Mommy says

    January 23, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    Sounds interesting!

  32. CINDY L says

    January 23, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    I LOVE BOOKS.

  33. veronica sandberg says

    January 23, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    want to win this

  34. Gary Osborn says

    January 23, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!

  35. Daniel M says

    January 23, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    yahoo add me please!

  36. Kim says

    January 23, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    I SO want to read this book!

  37. Kim says

    January 23, 2009 at 9:14 pm

    I subscribe

  38. Debbie W. says

    January 23, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    I’m curious myself. This books sounds very interesting.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  39. juicebox mom says

    January 23, 2009 at 10:16 pm

    Sounds so interesting! Thanks!

  40. Karla Reader says

    January 23, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway, sign me up. Looks interesting

  41. RockCitySmith says

    January 23, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    Great, sign me up. Thanks!

  42. Ordell Knot says

    January 23, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    Looks like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway!

  43. Renee says

    January 24, 2009 at 12:24 am

    This sounds really good. Would love to win!

  44. Krakovianka says

    January 24, 2009 at 5:11 am

    This looks like just the sort of character-driven story I enjoy…count me in.

  45. mannequin says

    January 24, 2009 at 7:55 am

    Sounds like a winner, not a topic you generally read about!

  46. david basile says

    January 24, 2009 at 9:51 am

    sounds like a great book

  47. Cheryl F. says

    January 24, 2009 at 10:12 am

    I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  48. Deborah Wellenstein says

    January 24, 2009 at 10:18 am

    I would love to have this-thanks!

  49. Jennifer Hedden says

    January 24, 2009 at 11:55 am

    enter me

  50. Sandy M says

    January 24, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    This book sounds really intriguing. I’d love to read it.

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