The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
Oh, Truly, you’ve had such a difficult life, but you’re so interesting!
“The Little Giant of Aberdeen County” is the story of Truly who was born in a small town in upstate New York in the 1950s. She was never like other children, she was always big, big, big. Even so, she never realized just how other people viewed her until going to school with her dismissive teacher who called her ‘giant.’
Truly’s sister, Serena Jane was the exact opposite; small, delicate, and feminine where Truly was bulky and dressed in boys clothes (the only thing that would fit), Serena Jane was the most beautiful girl in town. Despite her big dreams of getting out of town, however, Serena Jane becomes involved with ‘Bob Bob’ Morgan, son of the doctor Robert Morgan. Eventually Serena Jane’s involvement causes Truly to become enmeshed with the unpleasant man as well.
I loved the way Truly grew during this novel.
Wait, that sounds like a really bad joke.
I didn’t mean it that way.
I loved the way Truly developed her character over the course of this novel. Really she grew in a variety of ways. One was the obvious physical growth; she had a form of giganticism that kept her growing nonstop her entire life. ”Little Giant of Aberdeen County” also follows Truly from birth through adulthood. What was really interesting, though, and what i’m really talking about when I say her ‘growth’ is how Truly learned to feel comfortable with who she was and take control of her life within the strictures of her environment.
The language of the book was simply lovely, I adored Baker’s writing style and the story she was telling. I listened to an audio version of this book and really, the narrator was just the icing on this already delicious cake of a book.
Buy this book here and support this blog. Purchase from:
Powells.*
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound .*
Amazon.*
This review is part of “Debutante Ball Week” on DevourerofBooks. All this week I’m featuring reviews from the 2009 class of The Debutante Ball and spotlighting the 2010 Debs.
I got this book from my library.
*These are affiliate links, if you buy this book here I will be rich! Rich I tell you!
I just did an impulsive order of the audio from my library. Of course, once I get it, load it, listen to it, and review it, I won’t remember who inspired me, so I apologize in advance. Actually, I’ve read dozens of wonderful reviews of this book, but you were the final straw when you mentioned that it was a good audio. It also caught me in one of those moods where I’m empathizing with the main character. I ate so much over Thanksgiving I think I need to wear boy clothes.
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Wroclaw #4 =-.
I have this on my MP3 and haven’t listened yet. Yikes! Sounds like I missed out. But then, maybe I’ll save it for the challenge!
I am dying to read this book–I have heard nothing but great things!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: The Jade Cat =-.
I read this one earlier this year and liked it a lot. I was surprised that with so many characters that were actually unlikeable that I enjoyed the book as much as I did.
.-= SuziQoregon´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday #9 =-.
I have a feeling that I might like this one, but so far it hasn’t called to me.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..2009 Virtual Advent Tour: Day 2 ~ O Holy Night =-.
Glad to see that you enjoyed this one. It’s on my wishlist! Thanks for the review.
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Waiting On Wednesday (10) =-.
I had no idea Tiffany Baker is a former Deb. I really want to read this book – I think I’ll have to sign up for the challenge to give me an excuse.
I really enjoyed this book as well. I bet it would be great to listen to on audio. I’m going to see if my library carries it or not. Glad you liked it!
I cannot tell you how long this has been in my pile. Too long! I really need to pull it out.
Argh! I can’t make up my mind on this one. First I read that it’s great, then I read that it’s awful, then I read that it’s a must-read…Maybe a good one to get from the library.
I think this is the only Deb Ball book I didn’t read from last year’s Debs! I’ve got a copy of it and am going to rectify that next year.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..The Music Room – Namita Devidayal =-.
I loved loved loved this book. Great reveiw.
I loved this book, too. The writing was brilliant, the characters very interesting. I couldn’t ask for more. Glad to see you enjoyed it, too.