Reviews

I know I just read something perfect and impactful. I think what I love about this book is that it is frankly open to interpretation. Through a collection of stories that were either real or mythical or everything in between (it’s up to you), we learned who Edward Bloom was and saw that culminate through his son’s eyes on Edward’s very real deathbed. I think this book beautifully expresses how we grow from anger to complacency to hope and contentment.

Big Fish means to you what you want it to, but I am certain it means something.

Content Warnings

katiieecat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

menfrommarrs's review against another edition

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4.0

I am hosting a viewing of Big Fish, a film that I always recommend and enjoy. So I decided to read the book before the big movie night.

It is not really fair for me to rate this book, because of the movie's influence on my expectations. Most of the elements from book to John August's screenplay are there, but the book is more of a short story collection, where the movie ties them all together in plot sequence. In doing so, stories, some characters and towns are combined and then other elements are invented to drive the plot along.

If I had never seen the film, I still would have enjoyed Big Fish as a poignant collection of a son's attempt to understand and know his father. I would have sympathized with his feeling of distance and separation, and his frustration in his need to connect.

The book gets additional stars just because it inspired genius Tim Burton to direct the film.