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quackthump's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
rpmirabella's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this novel. THE LANGUAGE! I love the tough-minded, lonely, sad, devoted narrator, Peggy. And James, the giant--what a beautiful creation. Though this is a quietly powerful novel about love, obsession, care-taking, I never felt bored for a second. Honestly, this is the perfect length for a novel like this, and McCracken (this is her fist novel) probably toiled to make it as readable and quicksilver as it is.
baggman's review against another edition
3.0
2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3.
This is a story of a twenty something librarian, living in a small town, who meets a pre-teen with a rare disease causing that him to grow . . . and grow . . . and grow. Hence the reference to a giant in the title. She is, at first, curious about the 12 year old already more than 6 feet tall. Over the years, this curiosity becomes an obsession and finally love. Fear not, for there are no inappropriate interactions between the two. This is not a novel of sex, or great humor. It is, in fact, a very sad story made even more sad by the snail's pace by which the plot develops.
So, that's the story in a nutshell. There were sentences, paragraphs and chapters that I enjoyed immensely, while there were others that completely bored me to death. Unfortunately, for me, boredom out did the enjoyment. Halfway through the book I was checking the page count to determine if I could stick it out until the end. I did, but just barely.
This is a story of a twenty something librarian, living in a small town, who meets a pre-teen with a rare disease causing that him to grow . . . and grow . . . and grow. Hence the reference to a giant in the title. She is, at first, curious about the 12 year old already more than 6 feet tall. Over the years, this curiosity becomes an obsession and finally love. Fear not, for there are no inappropriate interactions between the two. This is not a novel of sex, or great humor. It is, in fact, a very sad story made even more sad by the snail's pace by which the plot develops.
So, that's the story in a nutshell. There were sentences, paragraphs and chapters that I enjoyed immensely, while there were others that completely bored me to death. Unfortunately, for me, boredom out did the enjoyment. Halfway through the book I was checking the page count to determine if I could stick it out until the end. I did, but just barely.
biblioleah's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
that was rough
joydevivre's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
misstwinpeeks's review against another edition
2.0
Mmmm it took a while to get interesting. The cover/back cover claim it's a romance novel so I waited, and waited....and waited for the romance. There was some, but not what I was expecting. The story itself was good, almost like a memoir. You really get to live in Peggy Cort's head, which in turn is completely enveloped in James Sweatt's giant hangs.
cynicalnovas's review against another edition
5.0
This book haunted me so much that, as soon as I finished it in six heady days, I started it again simply because I couldn’t let go. I too had fallen in love; I too had had these characters ripped from me too early.
I followed narrator Vivienne Leheny here to what has become my favorite book ever, and now the words in her voice are forever intertwined. Three key lines towards the end are imprinted indelibly into my memory.
I’m shocked at the low average star rating, but I suppose literary fiction has more variance in its subjectivity.
I followed narrator Vivienne Leheny here to what has become my favorite book ever, and now the words in her voice are forever intertwined. Three key lines towards the end are imprinted indelibly into my memory.
I’m shocked at the low average star rating, but I suppose literary fiction has more variance in its subjectivity.
sarahbotreads's review against another edition
5.0
I adore this book. The narrator's voice is perfect, and the story is unexpected and bittersweet.
anatomydetective's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was beautiful, but I found it hard to take the plot and characters seriously, especially with the awkward conclusion.
hyzenthlay76's review against another edition
3.0
"Her parents were in love with each other, and that is a blow a child can never recover from."
My favorite line from the book, and a wonderful premise; however, the love between Peggy and James didn't strike me as the sort to inspire such phrases.
I wanted more, and perhaps a book about a giant invites overly tall expectations.
Still searching for that Next Great Book...
My favorite line from the book, and a wonderful premise; however, the love between Peggy and James didn't strike me as the sort to inspire such phrases.
I wanted more, and perhaps a book about a giant invites overly tall expectations.
Still searching for that Next Great Book...