Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions

I would have liked to see a little more meat and potatoes to this story. But I get it and I get why it is formulated the way it is. It is meant to be ambiguous and to the point while still allowing the heart of the reader to not only understand where William's feelings are but how his father subliminally caters to his latent curiosity. How can such a small book be so large? In this case the movie captures way more of the heart in the center of the story. For those who have watched their parents pass, especially their fathers, it is heartbreaking but ultimately invigorates the spirit later down the road, after they have passed and the memories flood in. Big fish dares us and challenges us to be bigger fish and milk our imagination for show more all it is worth. The moral to the story.... NEVER loose your sense of wonder. When you do...then that is when you truly grow old. show less

When I rewatched this film recently I noticed it was based on a book, which piqued my delight. It’s all about storytellers and storytelling, about the urbane fantastic and tall tales, so it’s one of my favorite movies. It turns out the adaption is nearly “in name only”, but that doesn’t mean the book is bad.

The bare bones are there but 1) There are many many elements that don’t show up in the movie but do in the book and vice versa and 2) the mediums translate to two totally different executions. In the movie, there’s a framing device where the son is attending to his dying father who he’s resented all his life for telling these stories and being an attention-hog/liar. The book is pretty much just these stories–no show more framing device. It’s like a collection or anthology of tall tales about his dad’s life.

They are somewhat less colorful but there are more of them. For example, there is no wolfman-ringmaster in the book. Not even a circus. The old woman’s eye is there, but the circumstances are much less scary than presented in the movie. Tim Burton peeled away the book to its core, then added his own style to it.

But both are chock full of content from the anecdotes and tall tales and stories, like in the movie. The only difference is the movie remixes them. It’s like adapting a video game to a movie–you can make all the changes you want as long as it stays true to the spirit of what made the original great (e.g. Silent Hill, Mortal Kombat, Sonic the Hedgehog). And that’s the case here. show less

A lyrical book about a complicated father/son relationship. Edward Bloom has lived his whole life as a near mythological figure to his family. His ambition combined with his storytelling ability has resulted in a broad spectrum of stories about his exploits. He is a master of tall tales and universally admired and adored by all who know him.

His son, however, struggles to feel connected to this man who seems to use his legend as a way to keep people at a distance. He knows all the stories by heart, but can't believe any of them or understand their hidden message. All these issues come to a head when his father is diagnosed with a terminal disease. The slow decline of this great man brings them together in many intimate and painful show more moments. As time grows short, the son seeks to have even a brief moment of connection but keeps being stymied by his father's constant jokes.

A painful and beautiful story about grief, love, and understanding. show less

The film adaptation of Big Fish is a favourite of mine, and I’ve been meaning to read the book for ages. For me though...the film is better. The book is very touching and has some wonderful stories and imagery. The writing is lovely, and if I took each story as a stand-alone then there was a lot to like. But I felt it could have gone so much deeper into what made Edward Bloom do the things he did and live such a split life. I just wanted more, but what I got was a series of toe dips which were too disjointed to make me feel much. I was left wondering what was so special about this man, because to me he just came across as a crap husband, terrible father, and not all that wonderful at all, actually. But maybe that was the point - his show more son had built him into a mythical being, because the reality was just so mundane and disappointing. show less

This will go down as one of the best surprises of my reading year!
I love the movie made from this book, and finally got around to reading the book. I wish I hadn't waited so long.
William Bloom, recalls - and sometimes resents - the life of his father Edward Bloom, who is on his deathbed.
Edward led a bigger-than-life life. There are tall tales, legends, unbelievable events and plenty of jokes, both at home in Alabama and throughout the world on his travels. After all, the subtitle of the book is "a novel of mythic proportions." From the two-headed geisha, to an old woman's glass eye that shows a group of mischievous boys how and when they will die, to the taming of the giants - the adventure tales are fantastical and fun and full of life show more lessons.
William is at his father's deathbed to try and reconcile before it's too late. They do, in the most fantastical tale of all.
"Remembering a man's stories makes him immortal, did you know that?"
If you've seen the wonderful movie "Big Fish, read the book. If you've read the book, see the movie.
Outside of the story, Mr. Wallace begins the book with a nice acknowledgement of teachers. show less

If there were ever a book that could hook me in the first two pages, this is the one. Actually, the first two pages of this book are by far the best first two pages of any book that I've ever read and that's the truth. I read, re-read, read to my husband and read those two pages to myself (yes, again) so many times before I allowed myself to get much past the third chapter. If you don't know what I am talking about because you've not read this book, I urge you to read just those two first pages and see for yourself. I know it's not just me because my husband agreed - those two pages can really get to your core. Without giving it all away... perspective...

Ok, now that that's off my chest, how about the rest of this book? We are off to a show more grand start, right? It must be good, right?

I am happy to say that Big Fish does not disappoint. Perhaps my favorite part of the book will forever lie within those first two very meaningful pages but the story of Edward Bloom, told through his son William, is a magical, mythical, and special one. Edward has lived a life full of wild adventures that may or may not be exaggerated. And that's hardly the point... Edward is now at the end of his life and now William, struggling to understand his father must find a way to acceptance.

Was his father a great man? Was Edward Bloom a good father?

Edward Bloom is certainly larger than life, as are his fantastic tales. Reading them through the heart of William will take you through a series of emotions and even disbelief - I mean, he did claim to tame a giant, right? Some stories are wild, bright, fun and full of awe. Some are not. But every single tale is shared beautifully.

If you are a fan of this movie, read the book. If you haven't seen the movie, read the book AND see the movie. Both are truly fantastic.

I give this big fish tale, 4 heartfelt stars! show less

I grew up loving the Tim Burton movie so I was fairly certain that I was going to enjoy the original novel edition as well and I was disappointed. It had been years since I have seen the movie, but reading this definitely helped a lot of it come back (although a re-watch is definitely happening!). The story follows a son as he tries to piece together his father's life. Having grown up on nothing but tall fantastical tales about his father, Edward Bloom's life, he is unsure what to make of him. Who is his father really? Now that his father is on his death bed he wants to know the truth. The story is told in short little stories, each more fantastical than the next. From a swamp witch, to battling a feral dog, to tricking a giant; each show more story shows the essence and character of a man. A wonderful, innovative, and fast read with a wonderful movie companion. show less