The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker is an amazing debut novel. I was struck immediately with the gorgeous cover. It’s covers like this that make me want to pick up a book immediately. And then I started reading fantastic reviews and knew that I needed to read it. I was worried that it would not live up to my expectations but I must say that I shouldn’t have been worried at all. It was everything that I had hoped for and more.
It’s been a while since I read the book (simply because my husband and I trying to do this joint review which seemed to take forever!) so I’m not sure I could do a plot summary justice. At the heart of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County is a story of two sisters. One beautiful, petite sister, Serena Jane, whom everybody adores and then there’s Truly, who came into this world at the cost of the death of her mother. She’s plain looking and abnormally large. Their father does his best to raise them but ultimately fails and both sisters are split and live in different homes.
Truly narrates this beautiful story as they grow into adulthood and their lives take very different paths. Also, at the heart of this story is Robert Morgan, the town doctor and Serena’s husband. When Serena Jane abandons her family, Truly steps in to relieve the burden and take care of her nephew.
The story is so simple but yet so deep. Although big on the outside, Truly has a heart to match and I found myself wishing and hoping that she’d gain everything she loved and desired. Including true love and her long lost sister.
There is so much more to this story than that very, very basic story line. You just have to read it. It was nothing short of amazing. I loved it. It’s the type of book that I look at sitting on my bookshelf, and saying, oh yes, I enjoyed reading that book (the book on the bookshelf, not me sitting on the bookshelf!).
It’s very rare for my husband and I to read the same book but he finished reading The Little Giant of Aberdeen County before I even started. He was thoroughly engrossed with this book and quickly finished it. In fact, with the exception of Twilight (that’s a whole other story) and Harry Potter, I’ve never really seen him so involved. I’m taking advantage of the situation and bringing to you my very first joint review with my husband.
Our Conversation About The Little Giant of Aberdeen County
Natasha: So you normally don’t read these type of books, why did you pick this book up?
Taylor: Because it was sitting on the floor.
Me: Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that you have to read it.
Taylor: Because of the nice cover. And this first line was really good, “The day I laid Robert Morgan to rest was remarkable for two reasons. First, even though it was August, the sky overhead was as rough and cold as a January lake; and second, it was the day I started to shrink.” I kept reading it and the rest of it was just as good as the first line. And I just kept on reading until it was all done. I liked the style of the writing, the way the words sounded together.
Natasha: I really liked the cover too. That’s the first thing that I was drawn to about this book.
Taylor: Her words are just so cool, I haven’t read anything like it before. ” . . . his spindly fingers gnarled together in a knot over his heart, awaiting judgment.” There was another sentence in here, I really liked, “Amelia and I ate together alone on the big rock shaped like a turtle, peeling the waxed paper off of our sandwiches silently and eating glumly, hunkered into our own separate miseries.” Also,
The morning my sister left him, Bob Bob woke up and knew it without opening his eyes. It was the absence of the usual odors in the house – the cottony scent of her breath captured in hollow of the pillow next to him, the slightly acrid aroma of coffee wafting up the stairs, followed by the grease of bacon frying. He lay perfectly still in the bed, his nose twitching, but there was nothing.*
So, what did you like about this book?
Natasha: That’s too general of a question.
Taylor: What did you find intriguing about the characters?
Natasha: I really like how the author never told us exactly how big she was.
Taylor: And you like that because it’s audience participation. You fill in the blanks and you become part of the story.
[So we Googled the condition that Truly has (and if I can find the official name again, I'll edit it in) and apparently as a giant you can either grow vertically or laterally. The images that we found were fascinating.]
[long, long silence from Taylor]
Natasha: Do you have anything else to say about how big she is?
Taylor: No. I can’t think of anything.
Natasha: This is going to be the most boring review ever. You’ve got to work with me here.
Taylor: How can we make it funny?
[nobody speaks for about five minutes . . . I'm waiting him out]
Taylor: I’m drawing a blank. Wait! Don’t put that in there.
Natasha: Well, it has been a while since we read the book because it’s been hard to get us to sit down.
Taylor: It’s one of my favorite books I’ve read. And I was really surprised because there wasn’t time travel in this story . . . or werewolves. It was a simple story but it was so well written, I enjoyed it.
Natasha: What did you think of the doctor? Do you think that by treating Truly he had good intentions?
Taylor: That’s giving to much away!
Natasha: No, it’s not.
Taylor: It seemed like he didn’t, but I think it’s left up to the reader to decide. I can imagine that guy as a cross between William Defoe and Crispin Glover.
Natasha: William Defoe. I don’t even know who that is.
Taylor: The green goblin in Spiderman. And there’s this girl at Trax [our light rail system] that reminds me of Truly.
Natasha: Why? Is she really big?
Taylor: Yep.
Natasha: Do you think this is more of a women’s book?
Taylor: Yes. It’s about relationships. And because the main character is a woman.
Natasha: Would . . [gets cut off]
Taylor: Unless the main character is Angelina Jolie then it’s probably a woman’s book.
Natasha: Would you recommend it to your all male book club?
Taylor: I would. Right now we are reading The Thirteenth Tale.
Natasha: Have you started that one yet?
Taylor: Not yet. Still trying to finish Mistborn 2. I definitely would like to read whatever book she writes next. The story was so simple, I wonder if she wrote a fantasy book, or a more complex book, if it would work with her style.
Natasha: I don’t think that a book needs to be fantasy to be complex.
Taylor: Take that line out. Are you taking it out?
Natasha: No.
Taylor: Hey!
Natasha: We aren’t getting very deep.
Taylor: You’re not erasing stuff. You’re typing everything I say. Usually, when I ask you about a book you say that you liked it and that’s all you say.
Natasha: Well, ask me a deep question.
Taylor: What’s a deep question?
Natasha: You’re not giving me much to go on. This is really boring.
Taylor: Well, you’ve got to edit! That’s all I had to say about the book.
Natasha: Okay, then I think we’re done.
[argument takes place about how awful this whole thing went]
Go forth and read. It was beautiful.
Links of interest: Tiffany Baker website and blog.
Genre: Literary Fiction
Published: Grand Central Publishing, January 8, 2009.
Hardcover, 341 pages. ISBN 978-0446194204
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker is available from your local independent bookstore, Powell’s, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.
*Quotes taken from an Advance Reading Copy and may not reflect bound copy.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: A-D Author, coming of age, fantasy, female author, Fiction, I-L Title, literary fiction, published 2009
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LOL!!! Sounds like our conversations. I must say this: despite good reviews by bloggers I respect, I haven’t been drawn to the book until I read this joint review. Now I think I have to seek out the book.
on May 14th, 2009 at 6:19 amThis post made me chuckle. My husband read one of my books recently so I asked him to write a review for me. When he refused, I suggested he either tell me about the book or let me ask him a series of questions about it, but I didn’t get very far with either idea. Our joint review would probably come out a lot like yours!
on May 14th, 2009 at 6:39 amI really enjoyed this review
. I might just go and read the book. It definitely has got heaps of glowing reviews.
on May 14th, 2009 at 6:41 amThis is better than my conversations with my husband…he doesn’t read, so you can imagine how silent those conversations are…or should I say how one-sided when I start yakking about a book I really loved.
on May 14th, 2009 at 7:12 amThat was the funniest book discussion I have ever read! This book sounds great, thanks for the review.
on May 14th, 2009 at 7:16 amWhat a fun review!
I actually hadn’t read much about this book, but had seen the cover on bookseller sites here and there. This was a fun way to get more information about it!
P.S. I’ll be at the Provo Library’s Book Festival this weekend. Since I’ve watched your vlogs, I’ll have to keep my eye out for you. I hope you don’t think it’s weird if I come up and say hi!
on May 14th, 2009 at 8:21 amThis made me laugh! That’s about how it would go if my husband and I did a joint review. Though it was funny, you definitely succeeded it getting me to want to read this book. I’ve been following The Debutante Ball grog, and I haven’t been able to decide which of the books to read first. I think LGoAC will win based on this review. Thanks!
on May 14th, 2009 at 9:47 amI liked this book a lot!
What a fun review. Love it
on May 14th, 2009 at 10:04 amThis is great! Sounds JUST like a conversation I’d have with my hubby, except he doesn’t like to read what I read.
on May 14th, 2009 at 10:21 amThat was brilliant! I really enjoyed your joint review and I am so glad you didn’t edit it! You must do more book reviews together in future. I really want to read the book now. I am picking up a scrap piece of paper now
on May 14th, 2009 at 10:31 amI’ve been waiting for you to review this book. And I guess I’m in the minority because I did NOT like this book. So disappointed. I didnt really even like Truly not to mention the Dr. Maybe my expectations was too high.
I did like you interview with your husband. Very funny.
on May 14th, 2009 at 10:41 amI loved the interview! Very entertaining!
on May 14th, 2009 at 10:55 amOh my goodness. I’m about to split my gut from laughing. That was truly hilarious! You should do this more often! And I definitely want to read this now!!!
PS: I am insanely jealous that your husband will read something besides comic books and graphic novels!!!
on May 14th, 2009 at 11:29 amGreat way to do a review Natasha! I loved it and I loved this book!
on May 14th, 2009 at 12:36 pmVery fun review. I have to admit I am with Laura H though. I did not enjoy this book very much. I read it awhile back but have not posted anything about it on my blog yet. It just was not as good as I thought it would be.
on May 14th, 2009 at 1:34 pmThat was hilarious. You two seriously need to do another review together. Is is sick that I’m laughing at your argument? That reminds me of a time I was over at a friend’s house, and she and her husband had an argument right there in front of me. I didn’t know whether to be embarassed or amused. Still I thought it was pretty funny. They were fighting because hubby let the dinner burn. Ha ha.
Anyway, I thought the cover was pretty good as well. I have seen this book around, but I never remember to add it to my booklist. Like anything else, it might take me awhile to get to it. Thanks for your review though, it sounds really good.
P.S. thanks for your comments on my blogs.
on May 14th, 2009 at 1:44 pmHee… what a fun review! Going to have to see if my hubs will try one of these.
Also — totally going to keep an eye out for this book.
on May 14th, 2009 at 1:45 pmVery fun actually! It’s better than my book conversations with my husband. My husband’s comment about nearly every book…. “It was okay.”
on May 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pmBeth F. – I think I remember putting in on my TBR as soon as I saw it but I don’t have the faintest idea anymore who posted about it first.
Kathy – I must admit that I didn’t think it would turn out like this. I have one more book that I haven’t reviewed yet that my husband read about a year ago. I wonder if he’d remember enough about it to do this again.
Mee – Well, I enjoyed it!
Serena – He’s only been reading more the last year or so. He HATED to read growing up. It’s been a real transformation for him.
Jess – So glad you think it’s funny! Last night at midnight neither of us though it was very funny. But I was posting it anyways!
Becky – Absolutely it’s not weird if you say hello! In fact, I’d be really disappointed if you didn’t. And this is coming from the “party planning guru” who insisted that all the bloggers meet. So yes! Let’s not miss each other!
Jessica – Now I’m worried that you won’t like it! I hope you do!
SuziQoregon – I’m glad you liked it.
on May 14th, 2009 at 2:04 pmThat was highly entertaining, but has me a little worried about the review I need to do soon with my husband!
on May 14th, 2009 at 2:06 pmJennsbookshelf – Since he’s started reading more it’s surprising how many books are beginning to overlap, but he definitely reads books I have NO interest in.
Jacqueline – We should do it more often! Maybe we should start our own husband/wife book club. Hmm . . .
Laura H. – Oh no! I’m so sad you didn’t like it! I thought all of the characters were fascinating. I didn’t like the doctor either but I don’t think we are supposed to.
Alyce – Yay!
Heather – Thrilled it made you laugh so hard! Believe me, my husband reads enough comic books for the two of us. They are his favorite.
Darlene – Thanks. I should do them more often!
Jeanette – Oh, you too? You should post a review, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
Amy – No, not sick at all. My husband couldn’t believe I was going to publish it. It was that or nothing at all!
TexasRed – Do try out a joint review. It’s always worth a try!
Suey – That’s exactly what my husband says about me! That I never tell him anything. I tell him to go read my blog.
Jen – Hopefully, yours won’t be as painful as mine!
on May 14th, 2009 at 2:23 pmI definitely think you should start your own husband/wife review team. I loved your Qs and his responses, and can’t wait to read the book. Your husband is much more talkative than mine (or did you edit out the grunts?)
on May 14th, 2009 at 3:17 pmNatasha, this has got to be one of my all-time favorite reviews. I loved getting your husband’s perspective in addition to yours (even if the process did spawn an argument).
I particularly loved this:
“Unless the main character is Angelina Jolie then it’s probably a woman’s book.”
It’s SO TRUE.
on May 14th, 2009 at 3:23 pmThat was funny! Be reassured that I didn’t think it was boring.
on May 14th, 2009 at 3:23 pmYou know, I think I might try doing a joint review with my mother at some point. We listen to audiobooks whenever we go someplace together in a car, and have fairly similar taste in books. I’ll definitely give you credit for the inspiration if we end up doing a mother/daughter review.
on May 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pmWonderful post and great review from both of you! I loved, loved, loved this book. Thanks to your joint review, my husband and I just realized that in 19 years, we have never read any of the books that the other spouse has read. Ever. (Thanks for giving me inspiration for a blog post!
on May 14th, 2009 at 5:46 pmVery cute review!
on May 14th, 2009 at 8:11 pmThat was entertaining to read! I loved the pure honesty in your review and interview with your husband! I could see an interview going that way with my husband. He’s actually written a few reviews on my blog but he has a more analytical/critical view and his reviews are very different than mine. I appreciate that he does them so I am not complaining and he has his own style. I read and enjoyed this book as well. That’s cool that your hubby is in an all male book club also! That would be interesting to read about and I wonder how different all male book club are from all female?!
on May 14th, 2009 at 8:28 pmThat was really fun to read. My husband and I have another book to blog about for my “He Read It, I Didn’t” series (a series of one, so far) but it’s so hard to find the time to do it. He’ll probably forget what it was about by the time we get around to it!
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on May 14th, 2009 at 11:03 pmI so need to get this, I haven’t seen a single negative review!!
on May 15th, 2009 at 5:42 amSounds fantastic! I’ve added it to my TBR. Love your joint review!
on May 15th, 2009 at 6:23 amI really LOVED this book; great review (i had a few chuckles).
on May 15th, 2009 at 7:04 amLOL That was great. I’m surprised he read it! I’ll add a link to this review from mine.
on May 15th, 2009 at 11:10 amhaha, that was fun! The only time I can talk about books with my guy is when I read a book about a music band that he likes… So, this was more in-depth than we get!
on May 15th, 2009 at 4:40 pmI loved the joint review! I wish my husband and I would read the same books. Usually, he’s pausing the television to hear me go on and on about whatever book I’m reading, and I really doubt he pays attention. LOL I reviewed this one here and I linked to your review.
on May 15th, 2009 at 7:46 pmKathleen – No grunts. But we had very, very long moments of silence.
Ruth – Do co-reviews for sure! I just hope they go better than this one. I’m thrilled you loved the review. It wasn’t very funny when I was writing it up. But I think it all worked out!
Betty and Boo’s Mommy – Wow! The two of you must have very different reading tastes! What does he normally read that you don’t?
Amy – Thanks.
Bonnie – I should have him write a guest post about his all male book club. That’s a fantastic idea. Thanks for the inspiration.
Ali – It took us a while for us to get to this review. It probably would have been better if we talked about it right after I had finished reading it.
Joanna – I haven’t really seen that many negative reviews either, so that’s why I was surprised that a couple in this thread didn’t like it. You should try it.
Sarah – Hope you enjoy!
Diane – I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what she’s got for us next.
Callista – I was shocked when he read it! And before me too. That never happens in this house.
Kailana – Do you read books about music bands? I’m sure he’s love that.
Anna – Mine complains because I give him such short answers when he asks about the books I’ve read. I think I’m more vocal when I’m writing it all down on the blog.
on May 16th, 2009 at 11:57 pmI’ve really been wanting to read this book so I’m glad you enjoyed it. Also, I loved your review! So cute!!!
on May 19th, 2009 at 10:19 pmThis is totally a conversation that I would have with Scott about books–except he doesn’t read. Is Taylor really part of a book club? I think that is a little strange but totally awesome! (I say strange because I know no man who is part of a book club–who was it that said if women stopped reading the novel would die? McEwan?). Glad you both liked this book. I really wanted to know just how big Truly was as well.
on May 20th, 2009 at 3:47 pmI just added this to my TBR list. Love the joint review. My husband only likes spy novels…eh…not my cup of tea. Even at that, I’m not sure I have seen him read a book in the last 4 years.
on May 24th, 2009 at 11:01 amWhat a funny conversation!
on July 29th, 2009 at 6:06 pmI came across this today, and I must say, I love it!
This book sounds amazing! I’ll have to pick it up! I already have over 20 books that I am planning on reading, but still! haha
This is a great post and it sounds exactly like my hubby and I! Your point comes through though and in a very interesting way. I have this book on my shelf because I just haven’t gotten to it yet. I plan to read it sooner now! Thanks!
Congrats on your nomination for BBAW and good luck!
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