Big Lady

'The Little Giant of Aberdeen County'
Author: Tiffany Baker


Format: Audio CD
Published: Blackstone Audio; Jan. 2009
Narrator: Carrington MacDuffie
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: B
Source: Library


Synopsis: Carrington MacDuffie brings Baker's sprawling debut title to life with a thorough attention to detail and excellent ability to convey the rustic local color of rural upstate New York without falling into stock caricatures. Protagonist Truly Plaice—whose size and stature isolate her from daily social life in the provincial community—never loses her grit and determination in spite of all the heartache she endures. MacDuffie's talent shines in her portrayal of Truly's childhood friend Amelia Dyerson, whose mute interactions with the outside world belie her scrappy survival skills and emotional depth. MacDuffie also brings skill and insight to the male figures, particularly Truly's menacing brother-in-law, Doctor Bob-Bob Morgan. The transitions make for a sometimes challenging listening experience, but MacDuffie does justice to the ambitious project. 


My Take: This is one of those books that I've seen around but something about it was a little off-putting to me for some reason. I don't know why. However, when I saw it come up as a free audiobook from my library I thought I'd give it a try and I am so glad I did. I'd seen a lot of positive reviews about it around the blogosphere so I knew people really liked it so I wanted to see if I would too and I really did.


This was a great book to listen to if you are so inclined. Yes, there are a lot of characters but not so many that you get confused. The main character though is Truly. She is the Giant of Aberdeen County. Oh I felt so sad for her throughout most of this book yet she was so sweet. What could have turned her into a mean and vicious person didn't. Truly was born into a small town, the second child of really sweet parents who loved her but passed away when she was young. Her older sister was beautiful and perfect and small in all the ways that Truly was not.


I am still not sure exactly what it is that Truly had but my best guess is that it would be an overactive gland so she didn't process her food well. The time period in which she came of age was during the Vietnam War and Truly didn't want to be treated by the doctor in the town because she thought they might make fun of her. She thought she was fine, just different. 


When Truly's older sister passes away and she has to help raise her son Bobby with the widowed husband and doctor that's when Truly comes into her own. Without giving a lot away, I'll just say this, for anyone who ever feels different, or out of place, this is the book for you. There are a lot of misfits in this book and they all come to learn that they fit in somehow in this world and I think that's an important thing to be reminded of. It's a sweet book with plenty of dark secrets.


Cover Lust: I love this cover. It's simple and doesn't give a lot away yet totally shows what the book is about. Genius!