Dear Thursday: LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY by Tiffany Baker [Book 5 of 2010]

Alright, don’t drop dead of shock, but I actually finished listening to this last book on time. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY by Tiffany Baker

Why I Decided To Read It: This book got great reviews and I just happened to read one of them before putting in a big order at audible.com.

What’s It About: It’s a story about a little girlnamed Truly, growing up in Upstate New York, who has both an out-of-control pituitary gland and eating habit, which causes her to grow into a fat giant of a woman.

What Makes It Different: Um, when’s the last time you read a story about plain female giant?

What I Loved: I love unusual main characters, and this book certainly has that going for it. Baker creates a very rich history for her small town, with a compelling and complex cast of characters. Also, I loved that the main character gets a romantic relationship with a really lovely guy.

What I Didn’t Like: This was waaaaaaaay too self-indulgent, with overworked metaphors and a plot that seemed to take forever to really get going — seriously Baker could have cut out a good quarter of the book and still told the story. I nearly switched audiobooks like three times while listen to the first bit.  Also, it employed a first-person omniscient narrator, which is one of my biggest pet peeves, b/c it takes me out of the story when I have to constantly ask, “How could she possibly know that???”

Writing Lessons Learned:

Go for the unique character. People will always read women-driven fiction centered around a traditionally beautiful woman, but they’ll remember stories like these, the stories centered around women who don’t often get to have their say.

Awesome backstory. Now I don’t need for things to begin in media res, but I do believe that if you’re going to give a ton of backstory, it should be really interesting and compelling. In the case of LITTLE GIANT, the show completely overwhelmed the tell. Baker could have told the first bit and then slowed down for show when the plot really got clicking. Instead she seemed to give us every single detail of Truly’s life, starting with her birth.

Unusual love interest. I completely ADORED the love interest in this book. He was well-drawn and I never had trouble believing that he was attracted to Truly. I can’t stress enough how romantic it is for two people to get to know each other and navigate some rough waters while falling in love.

To Whom Would I Recommend This Book: Upstate New Yorkers, People Who Love Extended Metaphors, Tall People, Giants, People Who Don’t Trust Doctors.

TEN PEOPLE WHO WANT TO READ THIS YESTERDAY: I’d hesitate to completely recommend this book. Some people will love it, some people will hate it. I suggest you read the reviews at Amazon.com and decide for yourself. Don’t worry, I’m not going to make a habit out of this, I’m already having trouble whittling next week’s list down to only 10 people.

Click on the cover pic to buy the book.