• 5 Star Reads
  • Audiobooks
  • Books on Screen
  • Children’s Books
  • Christian
  • Fiction
  • Giveaways

5 Minutes For Books

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We? Reviewer Bios
    • 5 Star Reads
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
  • Join In
    • 5 Minutes for Books Bookclub
    • Children’s Classics
    • Kids’ Picks
    • What’s on Your Nightstand
  • Link To Us
  • Contact
    • Advertise

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

« The Apothecary’s Daughter
My First Podcast »

Comments

  1. Denise B. says

    January 24, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    You got me hooked!

  2. James Coyne says

    January 24, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Enter me please

  3. Sherry Early says

    January 24, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Yes, I think I’d like to read this one.

  4. Alice hansen says

    January 24, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Sounds like a great book – thanks for the chance!

  5. ky2here says

    January 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    It sounds like a feminized version of a John Irving novel. I’m in.

  6. Vicki Wurgler says

    January 24, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    sounds interesting

  7. Dani says

    January 24, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    Enter me please! Sounds interesting.

  8. Molly Capel says

    January 25, 2009 at 12:28 am

    This sounds like a great read! I would love the chance to win a copy. 🙂

  9. Terra Heck says

    January 25, 2009 at 1:49 am

    I’d like to read this book.

  10. Rebekah says

    January 25, 2009 at 9:07 am

    oh, pick me, pick me! I’d love to read it, it sounds so interesting.

  11. Melissa P says

    January 25, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  12. Brandy says

    January 25, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    Sounds interesting … count me in!! 🙂

  13. Terry Vanderpool says

    January 25, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    Please enter me in this great contest thanks

  14. Janet says

    January 25, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  15. Karen Gonyea says

    January 25, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    Sounds great – count me in 🙂

  16. Chrysa says

    January 25, 2009 at 11:29 pm

    Looks like a great book!

  17. cris says

    January 25, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    I’d like to be entered!

  18. Jay F. says

    January 26, 2009 at 1:23 am

    Sounds like an excellent read.

  19. Geri Nyland says

    January 26, 2009 at 1:38 am

    Please, Please count me in on this giveaway… I would truely love to read this book and I bet I can beat your 2 days, but then again I only have 1 child to your 3 children.. This looks like a book I would enjoy and keep on my shelf and reread it again.

  20. Erma says

    January 26, 2009 at 7:38 am

    I would love the chance to win, thanks.

  21. Amy Tucker says

    January 26, 2009 at 9:42 am

    The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker would be a great book for my kids. Tx

  22. Stacie says

    January 26, 2009 at 10:03 am

    Count me in! Thanks!
    Staciele(at)netins(dot)net
    Stacie

  23. jennifer cecil says

    January 26, 2009 at 10:10 am

    please enter me. i’d like to read this book.

  24. Valeen N says

    January 26, 2009 at 10:18 am

    I loved your review and would love to read this book! Thanks for giving someone the opportunity (or should I say 4 someones!)

  25. djgroz says

    January 26, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Thanks for the sweepstakes

  26. cherri byford says

    January 26, 2009 at 11:43 am

    always up for a unique story…

  27. Vicky Boackle says

    January 26, 2009 at 11:44 am

    this looks like a great book.

  28. Lori Walker says

    January 26, 2009 at 11:49 am

    thanks for the giveaway

  29. Melanie says

    January 26, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    I would like to be entered!
    :]

  30. Dan says

    January 26, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Great giveaway

  31. Amber says

    January 26, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    This is one of the most interesting reviews I’ve read of this book. Please include me in the giveaway.

  32. Aletha Hendrickson says

    January 26, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Sounds like a good read. I’d love the chance to read the book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  33. CHARLENE S. says

    January 26, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    This is my kind of book. Thanks for offering it :o)

  34. Ed Nemmers says

    January 26, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    Happy Monday!

  35. herblady says

    January 26, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    I have been wanting to read this book. It has a lot to which I can relate. Thank you for the chance to win!

  36. herblady says

    January 26, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    I’m a subscriber.

  37. Delores says

    January 26, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    please enter me!

  38. Jackie B. says

    January 26, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    This sounds like a really good book. I would love to own a copy.

  39. John Deal says

    January 26, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Your review makes the book sound very inteesting.

  40. tony davis says

    January 26, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    love to win one

  41. Candie L says

    January 26, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    What a unique concept. I think it would be interesting. THank you

  42. Marion B says

    January 26, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Sounds like a good book!

  43. Tina Rath says

    January 26, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    I’d love to add this book to my library.

  44. Carla Pullum says

    January 26, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    Count me in I always love a good read!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

  45. Kathryn Gutierrez says

    January 26, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    fun

  46. Ann Marie Walker says

    January 26, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    The book sounds like a great read. Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!

  47. Bonnie says

    January 27, 2009 at 1:12 am

    This sounds like one of those books I would never pick for myself, then end up loving and never forgetting. Hope I win one so I can find out.

  48. Teri Irish says

    January 27, 2009 at 1:46 am

    Great book! I would love to read it!

  49. Miranda Allen says

    January 27, 2009 at 1:46 am

    i would love to be entered

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Trackbacks

  1. A Big Bloggy Giveaway of Books says:
    January 26, 2009 at 8:26 am

    […] The Little Giant of Aberdeen County […]

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to 5 Minutes for Books. We are a team blog dedicated to sharing reviews and information about children's lit, fiction, memoir, and more. Read More…

Reviews

5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor

MEET OUR TEAM



Connect With Us


Pinterest

Community

Cybils Logo Draft 3

Disclosure:

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

Recent Posts

  • Central Places
  • Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
  • The House of Eve
  • Bright and Deadly Things
  • Long Story Short

Categories

Privacy Policy    |     Disclosure Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 5 Minutes for Mom

Let’s Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Pinterest is Our FAVORITE!

Find and Follow Us at
pinterest.com/5min4books

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316