The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

Fantastic Debut!

What a stunning first novel!

Covers are often enough to make me want to read a book. I loved this one. But the opening paragraph cinched the deal...

"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."

We know the ending, but what led to this point?

The entire town is gathered outside her parent's home the day Truly Plaice is born. Her mother had grown so big, bets were being laid on the size of what would surely be a strapping boy. The local doctor Robert Morgan delivers a girl and she is abnormally large. Her mother dies in childbirth. Her father isn't quite sure what to make of her - she is much different from her delicate sister Serena Jane. Truly continues to grow and grow. She is teased and scorned and just never 'fits'. She does make two friends - others who don't fit the mold either - Marcus and Amelia

This Dr. Robert Morgan is the fourth in his family to be the town's doctor. He is descended from Tabitha Dyerson, who was the town's original healer. Her book of cures is mythical in the town and never was found. Without giving away too much of the plot, circumstances lead to inextricable intertwinings between the Morgans and the Plaices.

The book is written from Truly's point of view - detailing her hurt, anger and desires. Although this led me to know Truly very well, it only gave one viewpoint of events and other characters. I would have enjoyed hearing what Marcus, Amelia and Serena Jane actually thought, not Truly's take on things.

The tone of this book is almost magical and fairy tale in feel. Baker has a gift with words, painting vivid descriptions.

"Even his narrow prowling walk told you he was a man of limitless appetite- hungry all the time and yet never filled all the way up."

I started this book and really could not put it down. It's unique and captiviating. Baker is a fresh new voice on the fiction front. I look forward to her second novel.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

A great debut read.

How does one respond to a novel that tells a story of which the reader is deeply connected, but is not sure why? For any author to spin such a tale is an accomplishment of high merit, for a debut novelist, as is this for Ms. Baker, such an effort is astounding. Well written, told partly from the perspective of the hero but also from the third person, this is a tale of Truly Plaice, whose birth caused the death of her mother and whose life is filled with the wonder of how she caused such pain. Truly is afflicted with a Pituitary Gland that will not stop sending her body the message to grow. She suffers the expected cruelties of being a child whose differences are apparent. She also, in the course of the 38 years the book allows the reader to be a part of her life, loses nearly every person who is close to her, all while getting physically bigger.
In the weaving of her life, Truly discovers what healing entails. Sometimes, that miracle is assisted by medicine, sometimes by connection with others but it is always accomplished in a manner that is unique, mysterious and rarely does the result appear as expected. The ways of healing, she learns, are plainly before everyone but we cannot see them because they have become too common and are therefore discounted. Once she has "discovered" a path to healing that has been passed down for generations she also discovers the work required of marking that path for herself and others. To this task she sets her mind to wonderful, mysterious and frightening ends. The art of healing, be it healing of body, mind, Spirit or relationships, has a dark side that must be respected lest the healer becomes arrogant.
Truly's sister, Serena Jane, is the polar opposite of her. Serena is lithe, beautiful in every way possible, poised and with an approach to life that reflects her name. After the deaths of their parents, the sisters are separated physically but not disconnected, at least in Truly's mind. That connection informs the remainder of the book. Amazingly, for all the loss she experiences, the book ends well. There is violence in her life, but it is not graphic and there is no sex and I don't recall any off color language.
It is interesting that Truly's physically growth is halted by her developing the ability to give herself "away" in the course of healing others. This occurs only after she ceases trying to hold all of the sorrows and pains of those around her. This (presently) over-stressed Reader can identify with this dynamic as he has been "comfort eating" in an effort to counter the stress he has been swallowing. It is so self-defeating to think that one person can hold anyone else's pain in part forever or entirely at all. This defeat takes on added absurdity once one understands the power of community in addressing and healing of pain. The "Community of Sharing" is grounded in the belief that pain shared is divided. Allowing others "into" our sorrow/stress/pain while helping to carry other's like pain makes burdens disappear like fog in sunshine. Truly learns this treasure.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Interesting Story with No Climax

It took me a very long time to read this. The story itself is very interesting and unique, but I felt like there was no climax and then the story was over. The author does a good job creating the unique characters, unfortunately the story was not as interesting as the characters.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Escape to Aberdeen County

THE LITTLE GIANT
OF ABERDEEN COUNTY
Tiffany Baker
Grand Central Publishing -Hardcover
Hachette Book Group
$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-446-19420-4
Reviewer: Annie Slessman

Now available in paperback, Truly Plaice, the main character of THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY, tells a story that will keep any reader rushing through their chores to get back to their book.

This is Tiffany Baker's first book and one has to wonder where her imagination can lead her in the future. She has managed in her first work to develop a strong, seductive and graceful voice.

Her story revolves around Truly, who is born larger than life and continues to grow to amazing dimensions. When her mother dies shortly after her birth, Truly is left in a household with a beautiful older sister and a drunkard father. She somehow survives the taunting of other children, townsfolk and even her teacher as she grows into adulthood. With each breath she takes, Truly seems to grow even bigger.

Robert Morton, the town's only doctor, marries Truly's beautiful sister and eventually brings Truly into his home to care for their young son.

The story takes turn after turn leaving Truly to find her way with each change of direction. She becomes interested in the Morton family history, which leads her in a direction that is surprising, entertaining and morally debatable.

For every fiction reader looking for great entertainment, this is your book. You will not be disappointed.

Tiffany Baker lives in Marin County, CA and is currently working on her second novel.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Eccentric Characters Here!

A book with no perfect characters-only real-to-life emotions. For everyone who truly is out-of-the-ordinary. This books shows the flaws of all with the true love we all seek no matter how long it takes to find it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Amazing for a first time author

A very well written, thought provoking novel by a first time author. Tiffany Baker gives great insight to perception of unattractiveness, and the politics of the small town.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loved this book!

This book is deeper than you realize. After I finished, I would think about it out of the blue. Very good book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Unique Read

This is the antithesis of a the traditional heroine, the characters were rich and well developed, and it is not a feel good formula. I am looking forward to future books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not among the likers.

I suppose I am different in what I enjoy in a book. Ordinarily I would say that I have a great deal of respect and understanding for the underdog and the "differnet" folks, but this book left me bewildered. The mercy killing turned me off completely. I plugged through the book but really wanted to throw it across the room. I ended up not liking any of the characters and would definitely not recommend it to anyone. Wish I had not wasted my money on it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A WONDERFUL TALE

Truly Plaice entered the world the same day her mother left it. The whole town was placing bets on how much the baby would weigh because her mother's body had been stretched beyond belief, what these people didn't know was that it wasn't only the baby making her body grow, a large tumor was also growing her breast, which would have killed her shortly, if she hadn't died giving birth to an enormous baby. Truly's father blamed her for her mother's death, leaving him alone to raise her and her sister Serena Jane. Serena was a perfect child, petite and beautiful. Truly continued to grow and grow and while younger than Serena, she was much too big to wear Serena Jane's hand me downs.

Their father died 2 years later and the girl's were split up, Serena Jane went to live a life of privilege with the Reverend and his wife. Truly was sent to live with an outcast family on their rundown farm. Truly continued to grow, soon the only clothes they could find to fit her were man's farm clothes, big flannel shirts and dungarees.

Serena Jane's beauty turned out to be her biggest blessing, but also a curse, when the youngest of the Robert Morgans, (the county's doctors for generations) does the unthinkable to claim her as his own. Serena Jane ends up running away from him several years later and Robert (Bob-Bob) Morgan forces Truly to move into the family home to take care of him and his son. The real reason he wants Truly there is because he is fascinated by her enormous size and wants to study her and maybe even become famous for determining why she is so big. His father several years earlier had explained her condition as faulty pituitary gland, that didn't tell her body to stop growing.

While living in the family manor Truly remembers stories she had heard about the family, and soon she discovers the stories were true and she has found something generations before her never could find. Armed with this new information, Truly needs to make huge decisions on what she should do with it. When she learns of a betrayal so great, she is "forced to face her own larger-than-life demons, redefine mercy and consider the possibility that love cannot be ordered to size."


This story is pure magic, absolutely enchanting!! It is hard to believe this is Tiffany Bakers debut novel. She is an excellent storyteller.Truly may have been a giant on the outside, but inside she was filled with such love, compassion and caring, it surpassed her actual size. Baker has drawn us all into a tale that has everything imaginable, love, death, friendship, secrets, lies, and you will NOT be unable to put it down.

This book has received several wonderful reviews and even made the New York Times Bestseller List. I hope we see a lot more stories from this author. I can't wait to read them. I am honored that she sent me her book to read and review at Dollycas's Thoughts.


Check out http://www.tiffanybaker.com/ to find out more about the author and even send her comments if you have read her book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Newman Communications for the author.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A satisfying read

"Little Giant" blurs the lines between myth, legend, truth, and reality. The plot takes you around bends and corners where you might not expect to go.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

'Little Giant' teaches a good lesson in perseverance

I enjoyed this book and found the characters to be quite interesting. I think that is why I wish the book had a bit more substance as far as the development of the characters and the lives they led. This is a quick read, but it does have some valuable lessons about how we should treat the people around us and find value in their differences.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent!

This is an excellent book. The thing that intrigued me in the beginning to read it, was the character - Robert Morgan. My grandfather's name was Robert Morgan. The cover of the book is an excellent choice too! It is a perfect example of "Truly's" character. This book does not disappoint the reader. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and you cannot help from having a "visual" in your mind of all the characters. I absolutely loved it. It would be an excellent choice for an English class to read and study during a semester versus "Brave New World" and "Moll Flanders." I cannot wait to see what Miss Baker will come up with next!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Debut Author Hit's Home

THE LITTLE GIANT
OF ABERDEEN COUNTY
Tiffany Baker
Grand Central Publishing ¿Hardcover
Hachette Book Group
$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-446-19420-4
Reviewer: Annie Slessman

Truly Plaice, the main character of THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY, tells a story that will keep any reader rushing through their chores to get back to their book.

This is Tiffany Baker¿s first book and one has to wonder where her imagination can lead her in the future. She has managed in her first work to develop a strong, seductive and graceful voice.

Her story revolves around Truly, who is born larger than life and continues to grow to amazing dimensions. When her mother dies shortly after her birth, Truly is left in a household with a beautiful older sister and a drunkard father. She somehow survives the taunting of other children, townsfolk and even her teacher as she grows into adulthood. With each breath she takes, Truly seems to grow even bigger.

Robert Morton, the town¿s only doctor, marries Truly¿s beautiful sister and eventually brings Truly into his home to care for their young son.

The story takes turn after turn leaving Truly to find her way with each change of direction. She becomes interested in the Morton family history, which leads her in a direction that is surprising, entertaining and morally debatable.

For every fiction reader looking for great entertainment, this is your book. You will not be disappointed.

Tiffany Baker lives in Marin County, CA and is currently working on her second novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

'LOVE IS LOVE HOWEVER IT COMES..."

Love, hate, forgiveness, revenge, mystery, witchcraft - all the elements of a fine novel. When these elements become prose in the hands of Tiffany Baker the results are finer than fine.. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County is memorable in every way, not only as an extraordinarily well written novel but also as a story rich with meaning.

We meet Truly Plaice who is an anomaly in the small town of Aberdeen. She would be an anomaly anywhere because Truly is a gargantuan woman, challenging the scales at 400+ pounds. There is little room in our world for those not seen as normal and Truly is reminded of her perceived abnormality every day. These reminders come in cruel ways, such as a schoolmate putting tacks on her chair to see whether or not she can feel the sticks through such generous flesh or in the astonished stares of the curious.

Her mother died in childbirth. Townsmen had placed bets on the weight of a baby who had added so much poundage to a woman. By the age of one and one-half years the only clothing that would cover Truly was one of her father's shirts. He was a perplexed miserable man who never recovered from his wife's death, and was totally unable to handle raising Truly and her older sister, Serena Jane, who was petite, beautiful, vain and a perennial May Queen. Such a contrast was painful for both girls.

After their father died the sisters were parceled out - Serena Jane went to the home of Amanda Pickerton where she and her minister husband doted on the girl. Serena Jane's future was bright until it was altered by Bob Bob Morgan, the youngest son of the Morgans whose men had been the town's doctors for generations.

Truly was sent to a ramshackle farm owned by the Dyerson's; it was a place where no one save debt collectors came to call.. While Truly missed her sister she grew to love working out of doors and tending to the farm's horses.

She walked to school with young Amelia Dyerson who rarely spoke. They found no friends or welcome there save for Marcus, another unusual child who had an eager mind and a penchant for remembering details.

Truly grew to adulthood, ever larger due to an abnormality in her pituitary gland. She knew little of what other young women knew but she also knew some things that they did not. It was rumored that the first Dr. Morgan's wife, Tabitha, was a witch who possessed strange healing powers and had made note of her secrets in a shadow book long hidden where it would not be found.

Readers will find themselves loving Truly and pulling for her, hoping that somehow she can overcome insurmountable obstacles. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County is a not to be forgotten epic, every bit as grand as Truly herself.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

How Ugly Is Treated

I enjoyed reading this book; it's well written. The story moves at a reasonable pace, and the characters are unique. There's Truly, the giant, who grows up believing that she killed her mother (who died while birthing her), and believing that she is unworthy of any kindness. Her best friend is Amelia Dyerson, a shy girl who manages to communicate without many spoken words. (How challenging that must have been to write!) Next is Dr. Robert Morgan, the fifth Dr. Robert Morgan the small town has had--each one of them arrogant and mean-spirited. Then there's Marcus Thompson, a man with a brilliant mind, but a smallish, somewhat handicapped body. These are round characters, all with secrets and flaws. Even the minor characters are well written!

As the only "pretty" character is Dr. Morgan, one of the themes is that beauty is only skin deep. How much more difficult life is for the imperfect person.

The novel is written in first-person narrative and third-person omniscient voice, allowing the reader to understand the different thought processes. There's a bit of profanity included. There's a bit of a romance. (It could have been left out.) There's more than a bit of mystery. And there's a tale that demands deeper thought once the final page has been turned.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enjoyed

I bought this book out of complete curiosity of the cover and was not dissappointed

Highly recommended

Very good

A rare find!

These quirky characters leapt from the page keeping me awake long past my bedtime until I finished. My only complaint is that Tiffany Baker has only written one book. I look forward to losing sleep as I read her next adventure.

Interesting and Different

Everyone knows that it's difficult to be different. Our society hasn't historically embraced differences, although in some ways we are getting better. Some places, however, still embrace the idea of sameness and for a girl growing up different, a life here can be miserable.

In THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY by Tiffany Baker, Truly Plaice and her sister Serena Jane differ from each other just about as much as two people can. Serena Jane is beautiful, graceful and elegant. Truly Plaice is literally a giant, her body growing out of control. Shunned by the town since birth, Truly has to carry the weight of her strangeness with the burden of self-doubt and blame. When she and her sister are separated and sent to different homes, Serena is sent to live in the lap of luxury while Truly goes to live on a broken down farm. Trust me when I say that for a long time, she did not lead a happy life.

There were both things to love and things I wish would have been slightly different in THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY. For one, I wish her medical condition would have been explained a bit more. I still feel a little fuzzy on the details. What I did love, however, was the plot twists and turns within the story. I didn't expect this story to be a complex one; rather, I thought it would be a nice, simple read. Fortunatley I was mistaken. Ms. Baker instills this book with an assortment of different plot points and pieces of character development that keep the reader interested from the first page all the way through to the last. Truly was a great heroine and one that we were really able to delve into. Ms. Baker allowed us to explore the inner workings of her mind which proved to be just as entertaining as the rest of the story.

Serena Jane was, well, Serena. She didn't particularly stand out much to me as a character, which is odd since I really considered her to be one of the two main characters are the beginning. She does play her part to move the plot forward though. I think I would have liked to see a little more depth from her though.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a <i>different</i> book. Combining some thoughts on the more depressing side of society with just a hint of fantasy, THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY is great for those readers looking to escape into something and occupy their minds for a while. I don't know that I would necessarily recommend this to a casual reader, however. Some of the text can get a little bogged down and while Ms. Baker's writing and descriptions are beautiful, there are times when you really need to focus and visualize what is happening in order to stay within the story.