| Big Fish by Daniel Wallace Genre: historical/tall tales My rating: 4 out of teacups
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He could outrun anybody, and he never missed a day of school. He saved lives, tamed giants. Animals loved him. People loved him. Women loved him (and he loved them back). And he knew more jokes than any man alive.
Now, as he lies dying, Edward Bloom can't seem to stop telling jokes -or the tall tales that have made him, in his son's eyes, an extraordinary man. Big Fish is the story of this man's life, told as a series of legends and myths inspired by the few facts his son, William, knows. Through these tales -hilarious and wrenching, tender and outrageous- William begins to understand his elusive father's great feats, and his great failings.
Review:
*Side note - A big fish is someone who is important or influential in some way.*
If you saw the cheesy 2003 Tim Burton version of Big Fish and loved it, you are in for so, so much more from the story. Like most book-to-movie adaptations, Big Fish the book reigns very high over its movie.
Edward Bloom is dying, and his son, William Bloom, spends the last days of his father's life trying to find out who he really was. The story is told through snippets of fantastical memories, legends, and childhood stories that Edward Bloom told William over the course of his life. However, as his father was very distant from him, he never knew the truth about his father's life.
As Edward Bloom is dying, the readers are thrown into story after amazing story about the past life of William's mysteriously legendary father. The stories are of "mythic proportions" and deciding on which story is truth or fiction is very difficult. In fact, there are four different written ways that Edward Bloom dies. I suppose you must decide for yourself who this "larger-than-life" man really is. Interpretation on the reader's part is really what makes this book so special.
Above all, this story is about the journey, not so much of the destination. This book is filled with a paternal love that is yearned and worked for. One that many of us can relate to. Big Fish is heart-warming, and honestly, Daniel Wallace charmed my socks off. If you are looking for a book that is filled with colorful and imaginative stories, then pick up Big Fish. It's brief and satisfying. I suppose I only rated it four and a half out of five because I really wanted more pages to magically be added on at the end. So find yourself a copy of Big Fish. I'll never stop recommending this title. You won't regret it.
Now, as he lies dying, Edward Bloom can't seem to stop telling jokes -or the tall tales that have made him, in his son's eyes, an extraordinary man. Big Fish is the story of this man's life, told as a series of legends and myths inspired by the few facts his son, William, knows. Through these tales -hilarious and wrenching, tender and outrageous- William begins to understand his elusive father's great feats, and his great failings.
Review:
*Side note - A big fish is someone who is important or influential in some way.*
If you saw the cheesy 2003 Tim Burton version of Big Fish and loved it, you are in for so, so much more from the story. Like most book-to-movie adaptations, Big Fish the book reigns very high over its movie.
Edward Bloom is dying, and his son, William Bloom, spends the last days of his father's life trying to find out who he really was. The story is told through snippets of fantastical memories, legends, and childhood stories that Edward Bloom told William over the course of his life. However, as his father was very distant from him, he never knew the truth about his father's life.
As Edward Bloom is dying, the readers are thrown into story after amazing story about the past life of William's mysteriously legendary father. The stories are of "mythic proportions" and deciding on which story is truth or fiction is very difficult. In fact, there are four different written ways that Edward Bloom dies. I suppose you must decide for yourself who this "larger-than-life" man really is. Interpretation on the reader's part is really what makes this book so special.
Above all, this story is about the journey, not so much of the destination. This book is filled with a paternal love that is yearned and worked for. One that many of us can relate to. Big Fish is heart-warming, and honestly, Daniel Wallace charmed my socks off. If you are looking for a book that is filled with colorful and imaginative stories, then pick up Big Fish. It's brief and satisfying. I suppose I only rated it four and a half out of five because I really wanted more pages to magically be added on at the end. So find yourself a copy of Big Fish. I'll never stop recommending this title. You won't regret it.
"He hides behind lies and charm. I do not know him. My father is a fish."
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