Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions
In his prime, Edward Bloom was an extraordinary man. He could outrun anybody. He never missed a day of school. He saved lives and tamed giants. Animals loved him, people loved him, women loved him. He knew more jokes than any man alive. At least that's what he told his son, William. But now Edward Bloom is dying, and William wants desperately to know the truth about his elusive father-this indefatigable teller of tall tales-before it's too late. So, using the few facts he knows, William re-creates Edward's life in a series of legends and myths, through which he begins to understand his father's great feats, and his great failings. The result is hilarious and wrenching, tender and outrageous.
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Community Reviews
Edward Bloom is dying. He is visited by his estranged son, William who wants desperately to get to know his father. Not the tall tales, not the jokes, but the real man. Everybody loves Edward but nobody truly knows him because he's always telling a story or anecdote or an outlandish whale of a tale. Yet Edward has a way with words.
Unfortunately, he also has gypsy feet being a traveling salesperson who rarely stays home after his son, William was born. Naturally, Edward has an estranged family life.
As Edward is on his deathbed with William at his bedside, now is the time to hear the truth, but first, have I got a tale to tell you about these two Siamese twins who were geishas.
It was hard for me to get into the novel because I just didn't feel connected to Edward. Feeling sorry for his son William doesn't allow me to feel much for him other than sadness and pity. It was just okay for me.
As Edward Bloom lies on his deathbed, his son William remembers his father's stories and jokes, always meant to entertain, yet always keeping him at arm's length. In the final moments, he tries to get his father to be serious for once. But that is just not in his DNA. However, there is something in his DNA... something very strange...
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