Title: Big Fish
Author: Daniel Wallace
First published January 1, 1998
192 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780743484251 (ISBN10: 0743484258)
Rating: 3.68
Overview
In Big Fish by Daniel Wallace, Edward Bloom was a man larger than life. He could outrun anyone, tell more jokes than any man alive, and had a way with animals that was almost magical.
But now, as Edward is reaching the end of his life, his son William wants to know the truth about his father’s extraordinary tales before it’s too late. With only a few facts to go on, William embarks on a journey to re-create Edward’s life through a series of legends and myths.
In doing so, he discovers not only the truth about his father’s incredible feats but also his great failings. The result is a tender, outrageous, and transformative act of storytelling that bridges the gap between life and death.
About the Author
Daniel Wallace is a well-known author who has written five novels, including Big Fish, Ray in Reverse, The Watermelon King, Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician, and his most recent work, The Kings and Queens of Roam. In addition to his novels, he has also written a children’s book called Elynora, which was published in Italy with illustrations by Daniela Tordi.
Although he has only written and illustrated one book, O Great Rosenfeld!, it has been released in France and Korea and will soon be available in Italy. Unfortunately, there are no plans for an American edition at this time.
Wallace’s work has been translated into over two dozen languages and is taught in high schools and colleges across the United States. His illustrations have appeared in various publications, including the Los Angeles Times and Italian Vanity Fair.
He has also contributed his illustrations to books such as Pep Talks, Warnings, and Screeds: Indispensible Wisdom and Cautionary Advice for Writers by George Singleton and Adventures in Pen Land: One Writer’s Journey from Inklings to Ink by Marianne Gingher.
Big Fish, one of Wallace’s novels, was adapted into a film by Tim Burton in 2003. Interestingly, Wallace played a small role in the movie as a professor at Auburn University.
Currently, Wallace is the J. Ross MacDonald Distinguished Professor of English and director of the Creative Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater.
He lives in Chapel Hill with his wife, Laura Kellison Wallace.
Those interested in learning more about Wallace, his writing, and his illustrations can visit his website.
Editoral Review
In the novel Big Fish, Daniel Wallace explores the power of storytelling and the blurred lines between fact and fiction. First published in 1998, this novel has become a classic in the magical realism genre.
Wallace is an American author and poet, known for his imaginative and whimsical writing style.
The novel follows the life of Edward Bloom, a charismatic and larger-than-life character who tells tall tales about his adventures and experiences. His son, William, tries to unravel the truth behind his father’s stories and reconcile with him before it’s too late.
The story takes place in a small town in Alabama and spans several decades, from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Wallace masterfully weaves together different narrative threads and timelines, blending reality and fantasy seamlessly. The novel is filled with colorful characters, from circus performers to witches, and takes the reader on a journey through different landscapes and settings.
The themes of family, love, and legacy run throughout the book, as William tries to understand his father and come to terms with his own identity.
One of the strengths of Big Fish is its unique and imaginative storytelling. Wallace’s prose is filled with vivid descriptions and poetic language, transporting the reader to different worlds and times.
The characters are fully realized and memorable, each with their own quirks and personalities. The novel also has a strong emotional core, exploring the complexities of family relationships and the power of forgiveness.
However, some readers may find the nonlinear structure and fantastical elements of the novel confusing or distracting. The pacing can also be uneven at times, with some sections feeling slow or repetitive.
Additionally, some of the female characters in the novel are not fully developed and exist primarily as love interests for the male characters.
Despite these limitations, Big Fish is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after they finish it. It raises important questions about the nature of truth and the power of storytelling, while also exploring universal themes of love and family.
Fans of magical realism and literary fiction will find much to enjoy in this novel.
Overall, I would highly recommend Big Fish to anyone looking for a unique and imaginative read. It is a beautifully written novel that will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, based on its strong writing, memorable characters, and emotional resonance.
